British actors born in 1920
Here are 24 famous actors from United Kingdom were born in 1920:
John Barron
John Barron (December 24, 1920 Marylebone-July 3, 2004 Watford) was a British actor.
Barron was best known for his classic stage performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. He appeared in various film and TV productions over the years, including "The Avengers", "Z-Cars", and "Doctor Who". In addition to his acting career, Barron was also a prolific voice actor, providing the voice of numerous characters in radio dramas and animated TV shows. His distinctive voice can be heard in the popular British animated series "Danger Mouse", where he voiced Baron Silas Greenback. Throughout his successful career in film, TV, and theatre, Barron was admired for his impeccable acting skills and professionalism.
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Ronald Leigh-Hunt
Ronald Leigh-Hunt (October 5, 1920 London-September 12, 2005 Isleworth) a.k.a. Ronald Frederick Leigh-Hunt or Ronald Leigh Hunt was a British actor.
He was born in London in 1920 and showed an early interest in acting, studying drama and appearing in school productions. Leigh-Hunt honed his craft in repertory theatre before making his way to the West End and film and television.
Throughout his career, he appeared in a variety of productions, including the long-running UK television series "The Avengers" and the films "Brighton Rock" and "The Jokers." He was also known for his stage work and appeared in productions of "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The Cherry Orchard."
Leigh-Hunt continued to act into his later years, with his last film role being in the 2004 film "Stage Beauty." He passed away in Isleworth in 2005.
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Anthony Steel
Anthony Steel (May 21, 1920 Chelsea-March 21, 2001 Northwood, London) also known as Anthony Maitland Steel or Anthoni Steel was a British actor and singer. He had one child, Michael Thomas.
Anthony Steel was born on May 21, 1920, in Chelsea, London, England. He attended King's College School, Wimbledon, and later went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Steel began his acting career with small roles in the films "Foreman Went to France" (1942) and "The Next of Kin" (1942).
During World War II, Steel served with the Indian Army in Burma and was awarded the Burma Star. After the war, he appeared in several notable films, including "The Wooden Horse" (1950), "Where No Vultures Fly" (1951), and "The Crimson Pirate" (1952) alongside Burt Lancaster.
Steel was also known for his singing ability and starred in the musical "Valmouth" in 1958. He later moved to Australia where he continued his acting career in theatre, television, and film.
He returned to the UK in the 1980s and continued to act in films, including "The Water Babies" (1978) and "Zulu Dawn" (1979). Steel passed away on March 21, 2001, in Northwood, London, at the age of 80. He is survived by his son, Michael Thomas.
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Peter Arne
Peter Arne (September 29, 1920 Kuala Lumpur-August 1, 1983 Knightsbridge) otherwise known as Peter Arne Albrecht or Peter Randolph Albrecht was a British actor.
Arne was the son of a German father and an English mother. He grew up in Singapore and was educated in England. Arne served in World War II as a lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders. He began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in films such as "The Moonraker" and "The Return of the Pink Panther." Arne was also a prolific stage actor and performed in productions such as "The Mousetrap" and "No Sex Please, We're British." In addition to his acting work, Arne was also a writer and penned several plays and novels. Arne's life was tragically cut short when he was murdered in his home in Knightsbridge at the age of 62.
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Alan MacNaughtan
Alan MacNaughtan (March 4, 1920 Bearsden-August 29, 2002 London) also known as Alan McNaughtan or Alan MacNaughton was a British actor.
He was born in Bearsden, Scotland and began his acting career in 1947 with the Dundee Repertory Theatre. MacNaughtan later went on to perform in various West End productions, including playing the role of Ernest Beevers in the original production of the play, "The Cocktail Party" by T. S. Eliot. He was also a frequent presence on television and appeared in several films throughout his career. Notable appearances include roles in the films "The Guns of Navarone" and "The Dirty Dozen" as well as the television shows "Doctor Who," "Sherlock Holmes," and "The Avengers." MacNaughtan was highly regarded for his stage performances in various Shakespearean plays and was awarded the CBE for his services to drama. He passed away in London at the age of 82.
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Scott Forbes
Scott Forbes (September 11, 1920 High Wycombe-February 25, 1997 Swindon) also known as Conrad Scott Forbes was a British actor and screenwriter.
Forbes began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1940s, appearing in various films and television shows. He is best known for his roles in The Dam Busters (1955), The Black Tent (1956) and The Great Escape (1963). Forbes also wrote screenplays, including the television series The Plane Makers (1963-1965) and its sequel The Power Game (1965-1969).
In addition to his work in entertainment, Forbes was also a skilled linguist. He spoke several languages fluently, including German, French, Italian and Spanish. During World War II, he served with the British Army as an intelligence officer, making use of his language skills in his work.
Forbes continued to work in the entertainment industry throughout his life, appearing in films and television shows until the 1980s. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 76.
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John Sharp
John Sharp (August 5, 1920 Bradford-November 26, 1992 London) a.k.a. John Herbert Sharp or John Sharpe was a British actor.
He began his acting career on the West End stage in the 1940s and later appeared in numerous films and TV shows. Some of his notable film roles include "The Battle of the River Plate" (1956), "The Two-Headed Spy" (1958), and "Zeppelin" (1971). On television, he appeared in popular shows such as "The Avengers," "Doctor Who," and "Z-Cars." Sharp was also a prolific stage actor, and his notable performances include the roles of Oberon in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Falstaff in both "Henry IV, Part 1" and "Henry IV, Part 2." Additionally, he was an accomplished voice actor and lent his voice to various radio dramas and animated shows. John Sharp passed away in London in 1992 at the age of 72.
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Derek Bond
Derek Bond (January 26, 1920 Glasgow-October 15, 2006 London) also known as Derek William Douglas Bond or Derek William Douglas Bond MC was a British actor.
He initially trained as an architect, but turned to acting and made his stage debut in 1939. He went on to appear in over 30 films, including the wartime drama "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943) and the thriller "The Third Man" (1949). Bond was also known for his work in television, appearing in popular shows such as "The Avengers" and "Doctor Who". In addition to his successful acting career, he also served in the British Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in combat. Bond passed away on October 15, 2006 in London.
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John Boswall
John Boswall (May 2, 1920 Oxfordshire-June 6, 2011 South Woodchester) also known as John Stuart was a British actor.
He appeared in over 70 films and TV shows throughout his career, including notable roles in the films "The Dam Busters" (1955), "The Curse of the Werewolf" (1961), and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1968). Boswall also had a successful stage career, appearing in numerous productions in London's West End. He was known for his versatility as an actor, often playing characters that were very different from one another. Whether he was playing a serious dramatic role or a lighter comedic one, Boswall's performances were always highly praised by audiences and critics alike. In addition to his work as an actor, Boswall was also an accomplished painter and writer, publishing several books on his experiences in the entertainment industry.
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Derek Blomfield
Derek Blomfield (August 31, 1920 London-July 23, 1964 Brittany) a.k.a. Derek Louis Cecil Blomfield was a British actor.
Blomfield began his acting career in the 1940s and is best known for his work in British films and television series. He appeared in several popular films of his time including "The Third Visitor" (1951), "Salute the Toff" (1952) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955). Blomfield also had a successful career in television, appearing in shows like "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955-1960), "The Saint" (1963) and "Dr. Finlay's Casebook" (1964). Despite his success, Blomfield struggled with alcoholism and depression throughout his life. He tragically passed away from a heart attack at the age of 43 while working on a film in Brittany, France.
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Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson (January 30, 1920 London-) also known as Michael Joseph Anderson, Sr., Michael Joseph Anderson, Michael Anderson, Sr. or Mickey Anderson is a British film director, television director and actor. He has two children, David Anderson and Michael Anderson, Jr..
Anderson began his career in the film industry as an assistant and production manager. He made his directorial debut with the film "Private Angelo" in 1949, and went on to direct several successful films such as "The Dam Busters" (1955), "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956), and "The Shoes of the Fisherman" (1968).
He also directed several notable television series including "The Martian Chronicles" (1980) and "Murder, She Wrote" (1984-1996). Anderson received an Academy Award for Best Director for "Around the World in 80 Days" and was also nominated for the same award for "The Shoes of the Fisherman".
Besides directing, Anderson has also made appearances as an actor in films like "The Longest Day" (1962) and "Logan's Run" (1976). Over his career he has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to the film industry.
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Antony Holland
Antony Holland (March 28, 1920 Tiverton, Devon-) also known as Antony Rolland, Anthony Holland or A.E. Holland is a British actor, theatre director and playwright.
He was best known for founding the theatre department at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada in 1963. Holland also had a successful acting career, appearing in numerous films and television shows including The X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, and The Longest Yard. He was also a prolific playwright, having written over 50 plays that were performed around the world. In 1984, Holland was awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian theatre. He continued to act, direct, and write until his death in 2015 at the age of 95.
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Lewis Gilbert
Lewis Gilbert (March 6, 1920 Hackney Central-) a.k.a. Lewis Gilbert CBE is a British screenwriter, film director, film producer and actor. He has two children, Stephen Gilbert and John Gilbert.
Gilbert began his career as a child actor before transitioning into directing films in the 1940s. He achieved critical and commercial success with films like "Alfie" (1966), "Educating Rita" (1983), and three James Bond films: "You Only Live Twice" (1967), "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977), and "Moonraker" (1979). In 1997, he was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to the film industry. Gilbert passed away on February 23, 2018, at the age of 97.
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Clive Dunn
Clive Dunn (January 9, 1920 London-November 6, 2012 Portugal) a.k.a. Dunn, Clive, Clive Robert Benjamin Dunn, Clive Dunn O.B.E., Clive Dunn OBE or OBE was a British novelist, singer, actor, comedian and author. His children are called Polly Dunn and Jessica Dunn.
Dunn began performing in the 1930s, working as a stand-up comedian and stage actor in various productions. However, he is perhaps best known for his role as Lance-Corporal Jones in the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army, which aired in the 1960s and 1970s. Dunn played the role for 9 years and his character's catchphrase "Don't panic!" became legendary.
Aside from his acting career, Dunn was also a respected writer and singer. He released several novelty songs throughout his career, including the popular tune "Grandad", which became a chart-topping hit in the UK.
Dunn also served in the British Army during World War II, and was captured by the Germans in Greece in 1941. He spent four years as a prisoner of war before being liberated in 1945.
In recognition of his contributions to British entertainment, Dunn was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975. He later retired from acting in the early 1990s and spent his final years in Portugal.
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Hugh Manning
Hugh Manning (August 19, 1920 Birmingham-August 18, 2004 London) also known as Hugh Gardner Manning was a British actor.
Manning was well-known for his roles in both stage productions and television shows during his career, which spanned over five decades. He had a prominent role in the popular BBC series "Doctor Who," and appeared in other British television dramas such as "The Forsyte Saga," "Z-Cars," and "The Bill."
On stage, Manning performed in numerous productions in London's West End, including plays by William Shakespeare and other classic British playwrights. He even appeared on Broadway in New York City in the late 1950s.
Manning was also known for his work as a voice actor. His voice can be heard in a number of radio programs and audio books, including his memorable narration of the classic British children's book "The Borrowers."
In addition to his work in acting, Manning was a prolific writer, penning several books and articles on the history of London's West End theater and the art of acting. He was also a respected acting teacher, training many aspiring actors on the craft of performing.
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Tom Chatto
Tom Chatto (September 1, 1920 Elstree-August 8, 1982 London) was a British actor.
He was best known for his roles in popular British TV shows and films of the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Avengers", "The Saint", and "The Baron". Chatto began his acting career on the stage in the early 1940s before transitioning to film and television. He was a versatile performer, equally comfortable in drama and comedy. Alongside his acting career, Chatto was also an accomplished producer and director, both on stage and screen. He continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death in 1982 at the age of 61.
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Allan Cuthbertson
Allan Cuthbertson (April 7, 1920 Perth-February 8, 1988 London) otherwise known as Allan Darling Cuthbertson or Alan Cuthbertson was a British actor and soldier.
Born in Perth, Scotland, Cuthbertson grew up in Edinburgh and later studied at the University of Edinburgh before serving in the British Army during World War II. After the war, he started his acting career on stage and made his film debut in 1948. Cuthbertson became a prolific character actor and appeared in many popular British TV shows and films throughout his career. Some of his notable credits include "The Avengers", "The Guns of Navarone", and "The Baron". He was also a regular on the BBC radio series "Round the Horne". Cuthbertson was known for his distinctive voice and often played authority figures such as military officers or police detectives. He continued to work until his death in London in 1988.
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Ian Carmichael
Ian Carmichael (June 18, 1920 Kingston upon Hull-February 5, 2010 North Yorkshire) a.k.a. Ian Gillett Carmichael or Ian Carmichael OBE was a British actor. He had two children, Lee Carmichael and Sally Hennen.
Carmichael began his career in the theater before transitioning to television and film. He was known for his roles in classic British comedies such as the "Doctor" film series and "I'm All Right Jack" in the 1950s and 60s. In addition to his acting work, Carmichael was also a successful author, publishing several autobiographical books and novels for children. He was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2003 for his services to drama. Carmichael died in 2010 at the age of 89 in North Yorkshire, England.
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Robin Hughes
Robin Hughes (June 7, 1920 Buenos Aires-December 10, 1989 Los Angeles) was a British actor.
He began his acting career in the late 1940s appearing in numerous television shows and films. Hughes is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Major John Hockridge in the television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood." He also appeared in movies such as "The Golden Coach" and "Horizons West." In addition to his work in front of the camera, Hughes was also a talented voice actor and lent his voice to various animated films and television shows. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 69.
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Peter Forster
Peter Forster (June 29, 1920 London-November 16, 1982 Brentwood) otherwise known as Peter Cochrane Forster was a British actor. He had one child, Brian Forster.
Peter Forster began his acting career in the early 1940s and appeared in numerous films such as "The Cruel Sea" and "Scott of the Antarctic." He also had notable roles in British television shows such as "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Dixon of Dock Green." Forster was known for his deep, resonant voice and his ability to play both dramatic and comedic roles with ease. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Forster was also an accomplished athlete and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He passed away in Brentwood in 1982 at the age of 62.
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Raymond Adamson
Raymond Adamson (July 7, 1920 Beckenham-March 1, 2002 Kent) also known as Ray Adamson or Raymond John Adamson was a British actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s and went on to have a successful career in film, television, and theater. Adamson appeared in several popular British TV shows such as "The Avengers", "Doctor Who", and "Z-Cars". He also appeared in films such as "The Hill" (1965) and "The Mackintosh Man" (1973).
Aside from acting, Adamson was also a manager and agent for other actors, including his wife, the actress Jean Challis. He was known for his generosity and kindness to fellow actors and was respected within the industry.
Adamson passed away in 2002 at the age of 81 in Kent, England. He is remembered for his contributions to British film, television, and theater.
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Terence Soall
Terence Soall (March 22, 1920 Tottenham-August 10, 2006 United Kingdom) a.k.a. Terrence Soall was a British actor.
Throughout his career, Terence Soall appeared in over 70 films and TV shows. He rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, frequently playing comedic roles in British films such as "Carry On Nurse" and "Carry On Cleo." Soall also had a successful career in television, appearing in popular shows like "The Saint" and "The Avengers." In addition to acting, he was known for his work as a voice actor and provided voices for several animated shows and films. Soall retired from acting in the 1980s and passed away in 2006 at the age of 86.
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Patrick Troughton
Patrick Troughton (March 25, 1920 Mill Hill-March 28, 1987 Columbus) also known as Patrick George Troughton or Pat was a British actor. He had six children, Michael Troughton, David Troughton, Joanna Troughton, Jane Troughton, Peter Patrick Troughton and Mark Troughton.
Troughton is perhaps best known for his role in the long-running BBC science fiction series, Doctor Who. He played the Second Doctor from 1966 to 1969, and made occasional appearances in later episodes of the show. Before landing the role of the Doctor, Troughton had an extensive career on stage and screen, including roles in the films The Curse of the Werewolf and Jason and the Argonauts. In addition to his work as an actor, Troughton was also a talented amateur painter and musician. He was praised by critics and his fellow actors for his versatility and range, and is still highly regarded by fans of Doctor Who today. Troughton passed away in 1987 at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved and iconic Doctors in the show's history.
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Eric Dodson
Eric Dodson (December 1, 1920 Peterborough-January 13, 2000 Cheltenham) also known as Eric Norman Dodson was a British actor.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and made his stage debut in 1949. Dodson appeared in numerous stage productions, including several productions at the Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company. In addition to his stage work, he appeared in several films, including "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" (1970), "Dombey and Son" (1983), and "101 Dalmatians" (1996). Dodson was also a prolific television actor, appearing in many popular programs like "Doctor Who," "Coronation Street," and "The Onedin Line." Outside of acting, he was an accomplished painter and sculptor.
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