British actors born in 1906
Here are 16 famous actors from United Kingdom were born in 1906:
Carol Reed
Carol Reed (December 30, 1906 Putney-April 25, 1976 Chelsea) a.k.a. Sir Carol Reed was a British film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor. He had one child, Max Reed.
Reed is best known for directing films such as "The Third Man" (1949), which is considered one of the greatest films of all time, "Odd Man Out" (1947), and "The Fallen Idol" (1948). Throughout his career, Reed won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Director for "Oliver!" (1968), a musical based on the Charles Dickens novel "Oliver Twist". Reed's works often explored themes of morality, justice, and the complexity of human nature. As a filmmaker, he was known for his creative visual storytelling, use of shadows and lighting, and his ability to bring out unique and powerful performances from his actors. Reed was knighted in 1953 for his contributions to the film industry.
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Godfrey Winn
Godfrey Winn (October 15, 1906 Birmingham-June 19, 1971) was a British novelist, journalist and actor.
He began his writing career as a journalist in the 1920s, working for various publications including The Daily Mirror and The Daily Sketch. He gained popularity as a celebrity interviewer and social commentator, often writing about high society and the British aristocracy.
In addition to his journalism work, Winn also wrote several novels and non-fiction books. He was also a regular on the radio show "Any Questions?" and appeared in a number of films as an actor.
Winn served in the British Army during World War II, and afterwards continued his writing career. He was known for his wit and charm, as well as his extensive knowledge of the British social scene.
Winn’s most famous work is arguably his 1967 biography of Queen Elizabeth II, titled "Elizabeth: The Queen Mother", which was a bestseller and cemented his place as one of Britain’s most prominent writers and journalists.
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Jack Jackson
Jack Jackson (February 20, 1906 Belvedere, London-January 15, 1978 Rickmansworth) otherwise known as Mr. Jack Jackson was a British bandleader, trumpeter, composer, disc jockey and actor.
He started out his career as a trumpet player, playing in various bands in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1940s, he became a renowned bandleader, leading the popular BBC dance band, The Jack Jackson Orchestra. He was also a prolific composer, with several of his songs reaching the top of the charts.
In addition to his music career, Jackson was also a disc jockey and hosted his own radio show on the BBC, where he played a variety of music genres. He was a pioneer in televised disc jockeying, hosting his own music show on BBC television in the early 1950s.
Jackson was also an actor, appearing in a number of British films in the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his role in the film "The Night We Got the Bird" (1961) and "The Plank" (1979).
Throughout his career, Jackson was a beloved figure in the British entertainment industry, known for his musical talent and charismatic personality.
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Banesh Hoffmann
Banesh Hoffmann (September 6, 1906 Richmond-August 5, 1986 New York City) also known as Banesh Hoffman was a British mathematician, physicist and actor. He had one child, Deborah Hoffmann.
Hoffmann was known for his contributions to the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He collaborated closely with Albert Einstein, assisting him in the development of the theory of general relativity. Hoffmann worked as a professor of mathematics and physics at Queens College in New York, and wrote numerous books on science and mathematics for popular audiences.
In addition to his academic work, Hoffmann was also an actor, appearing in several Shakespeare plays on stage and television. He was especially known for his portrayal of Polonius in productions of Hamlet. In 1983, he was awarded the George Polk Award for journalism for his work as a science writer. Hoffmann passed away in 1986, leaving behind a significant legacy in the fields of science and literature.
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Joe Gladwin
Joe Gladwin (January 22, 1906 Ordsall, Greater Manchester-March 11, 1987 Manchester) a.k.a. Joseph Gladwin or Joe Gladwyn was a British actor.
He was best known for his role as Wally Batty in the British sitcom Last of the Summer Wine. Gladwin began his acting career in the 1920s and appeared in various British TV shows and films throughout his career. In addition to his acting work, Gladwin was also an accomplished singer and performed in various musical productions. He was a devoted family man and married his wife, Mary, in 1927. They had three children together. Gladwin's acting career spanned over five decades until his death in 1987 at the age of 81.
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Roger Livesey
Roger Livesey (June 25, 1906 Barry, Vale of Glamorgan-February 4, 1976 Watford) was a British actor.
He started his career with the stage and later transitioned to films, where he became a well-known name. Livesey's acting skills were noted for their versatility and depth, and he gained acclaim for his performances in a variety of roles. One of his most notable performances was in the film "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943), where he played the lead role of Clive Candy, and received widespread critical acclaim. He also starred in other well-known films such as "I Know Where I'm Going!" (1945) and "The Entertainer" (1960). Livesey continued to act in films and theatre until his death in 1976.
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George Sanders
George Sanders (July 3, 1906 Saint Petersburg-April 25, 1972 Castelldefels) a.k.a. George Henry Sanders, Georges Sanders or Greer, Joann & Sanders, George was a British actor, composer, singer-songwriter and author.
He began his acting career in the UK with small roles in film and theater productions. In the 1930s, he achieved international recognition for his portrayal of Simon Templar in the British mystery thriller series "The Saint." He also starred in several Hollywood films, including "Rebecca" and "All About Eve," for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Sanders was known for his distinctive deep voice, which he also used as a narrator in films and television programs. In addition to acting, he was also a talented composer and singer, releasing several albums throughout his career. He also penned several novels, memoirs, and non-fiction books on various subjects.
Tragically, Sanders ended his own life in 1972 at the age of 65. Despite his successes, he struggled with depression and alcoholism throughout his life, and his death was a shock to both fans and colleagues alike.
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Max Bacon
Max Bacon (March 1, 1906 London-December 3, 1969 London) also known as Max David Bacon was a British actor and musician.
He started as a child actor in the West End, appearing in over 40 films throughout his career. Bacon was also a gifted musician and appeared in British films as a band leader and vocalist. He was one of the founding members of the Crazy Gang comedy group, which entertained audiences across the UK during the 1930s and 40s. In addition to his acting and musical career, Bacon was also a successful businessman, owning his own restaurant and nightclub in London. Despite his success, Bacon suffered from financial difficulties towards the end of his life and died of a heart attack at the age of 63.
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André van Gyseghem
André van Gyseghem (August 18, 1906 Eltham-October 13, 1979 London) also known as André Van Gyseghern or Andre Van Gyseghem was a British actor and theatrical producer. He had one child, Joanna Van Gyseghem.
Van Gyseghem was born in Eltham, London to a Belgian father and an English mother. He was educated at Wellington College and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge. After completing his education, he embarked on a career in acting and began appearing in stage productions in the 1930s.
He became known for his roles in productions such as The Rivals, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Hypochondriac. In addition to his work as an actor, Van Gyseghem was also a successful theatrical producer, and he produced several West End plays, including The Grass is Greener and The Chalk Garden.
Throughout his career, Van Gyseghem appeared in numerous films and television shows. Some of his most notable film roles include appearances in The Fallen Idol, The Man Who Never Was, and The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel. On television, he appeared in several popular British series, including The Avengers, Doctor Who, and Z-Cars.
Van Gyseghem was married twice and had one child, Joanna Van Gyseghem, who followed in his footsteps and became an actress. He passed away on October 13, 1979 in London at the age of 73.
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Alan Webb
Alan Webb (July 2, 1906 York-June 22, 1982 Chichester) also known as Alan Norton Fletcher Webb was a British actor.
He was born in York and began his career as a stage actor before making the transition to film in the 1930s. Webb appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, including popular titles such as "The Great Train Robbery" (1978) and "The King and I" (1956). He was also a familiar face on British television, starring in numerous series such as "The Avengers" and "The Saint". In addition to his acting career, Webb was a committed socialist and active member of the Labour Party, using his fame to speak out on political issues. He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1978 for his services to drama. Webb passed away in 1982 at the age of 75 in Chichester.
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Jimmy MacDonald
Jimmy MacDonald (May 19, 1906 Crewe-February 1, 1991 Glendale) a.k.a. John James MacDonald, John James "Jimmy" MacDonald, James Macdonald, Jimmy or Jimmy Macdonald was a British animator, voice actor, musician and actor.
He is best known for his work with the Walt Disney Company, where he provided the original voice of Mickey Mouse from 1946 to 1977. He also lent his voice to other Disney characters such as Goofy, Pluto, and Chip 'n Dale. MacDonald began his career with Disney as a sound effects editor, but was soon discovered by Walt Disney himself when he demonstrated his ability to mimic cartoon sounds and voices. In addition to his vocal talents, MacDonald was also an accomplished musician who played several instruments for many Disney productions. After retiring from Disney in 1977, he continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death in 1991. MacDonald's contributions to the world of animation and entertainment have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations of fans and performers.
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Tom Macauley
Tom Macauley (March 17, 1906 London-June 19, 1979 Lambeth) also known as Tom MacCauley, Tom McCauley, Chambré Thomas MacAulay Booth or Tom Macaulay was a British actor.
Tom Macauley began his acting career in the 1930s and went on to appear in several notable films such as "The First of the Few" (1942) and "Passport to Pimlico" (1949). He also made appearances on TV shows such as "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955), "The Saint" (1963), and "The Avengers" (1967).
Aside from acting, Macauley was also a skilled musician, playing the violin and the piano. He even composed music for some of the productions he appeared in, including the musical revue "King's Rhapsody."
In addition to his acting and musical talents, Macauley was also an accomplished writer. He published several detective novels under the name Chambré Thomas MacAulay Booth, and his first novel, "Death in the Middle Watch," was adapted into a film in 1939.
Despite his many accomplishments, Macauley's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1979 at the age of 73.
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Henny Youngman
Henny Youngman (March 16, 1906 Liverpool-February 24, 1998 Manhattan) also known as Henry Youngman, King of the One Liners, Henny Junggman, Henry "Henny" Youngman, King of the One-Liners, King of Brooklyn or Henry "Henny" Yungman was a British comedian, actor, violinist and musician. He had two children, Marilyn Youngman and Gary Youngman.
Youngman started performing as a musician at a young age, playing the violin and the piano. He began his career as a comedic performer in the 1930s and quickly made a name for himself as a master of the one-liner, delivering rapid-fire jokes punctuated by his signature catchphrase, "Take my wife... please!" He became a regular on TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Youngman's career spanned over seven decades, and he continued to perform well into his 80s, becoming a beloved icon of American comedy. He was known for his sharp wit and quick comebacks, as well as his ability to make people laugh with his simple, relatable observations about everyday life. Apart from his successful career as a comedian, he wrote books, including "Bar Jokes, Beer, and Bohemian Nights: Or, Just Another Yawn-Producing Day at the Orifice," and "10,000 Jokes, Toasts and Stories." Youngman passed away in 1998, but his influence on the world of comedy can still be seen today.
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David Davies
David Davies (April 3, 1906 Brynmawr-June 1, 1974 Carmarthen) also known as David Lewis Davies was a British actor.
He appeared in over 60 films and television shows during his career, including notable roles in "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943), "A Canterbury Tale" (1944), and "The Curse of the Werewolf" (1961). He also worked extensively on stage, appearing in productions on London's West End as well as on Broadway. Davies was known for his versatility as an actor, portraying a wide range of characters from comedic to dramatic roles. He was awarded the Welsh National Eisteddfod Crown for his work in Welsh language drama in 1954. Outside of his acting career, Davies was also an accomplished linguist, speaking several languages fluently.
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Derrick De Marney
Derrick De Marney (September 21, 1906 London-February 18, 1978 London) also known as Derrick deMarney or Derrick de Marney was a British actor and film producer.
De Marney began his acting career on stage and later transitioned to film in the 1930s. He starred in films such as Hitchcock's "Young and Innocent" (1937) and "Jamaica Inn" (1939), as well as "Fire Over England" (1937) and "The Four Feathers" (1939).
During World War II, De Marney joined the Royal Air Force and served as a pilot. After the war, he formed his own production company, de Marney Productions, and produced and acted in several films, including "The Loves of Joanna Godden" (1947) and "Penny and the Pownall Case" (1948).
De Marney also made numerous television appearances in shows such as "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "The Saint". In addition to his acting and producing career, he was also a talented artist and exhibited his work in several galleries.
De Marney died in London in 1978 at the age of 71.
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Tony Sympson
Tony Sympson (July 10, 1906 London-March 30, 1983) also known as Tony Simpson was a British actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in a number of films and stage productions. Some of his notable film credits include "The Next of Kin" (1942), "The Way Ahead" (1944), and "The End of the River" (1947). He also appeared in several television shows, including "Dixon of Dock Green" and "Z Cars". In addition to his work as an actor, Simpson was also an accomplished writer, penning several books on topics such as theatre and politics. He was a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain and was involved in left-wing politics throughout his life. Simpson passed away in 1983 at the age of 76.
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