British actors died in 1955
Here are 13 famous actors from United Kingdom died in 1955:
Wilson Benge
Wilson Benge (March 1, 1875 Greenwich-July 1, 1955 Hollywood) a.k.a. George F. Benge, George Frederick "Wilson" Benge, George Frederick Benge, Wilson Bing or Wilson Binge was a British actor and theatrical producer.
He began his acting career in England in the late 1800s, and soon traveled to the United States, where he acted in plays on Broadway in the early 1900s. He later moved to Hollywood and appeared in over 140 films between 1920 and 1952, typically playing supporting roles such as butlers, detectives, or other authority figures. Some of his notable roles include Mr. Steele in "The Thin Man" (1934), Elderly Gentleman in "Gone with the Wind" (1939), and Judge/Doctor in "The Shop Around the Corner" (1940). In addition to acting, Benge was also a theatrical producer and director, and was known for his ability to find and cultivate young talent.
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Olaf Hytten
Olaf Hytten (March 3, 1888 Glasgow-March 11, 1955 Los Angeles) was a British actor.
Hytten appeared in more than 280 films between 1921 and 1955, often playing supporting roles or minor characters. He was particularly known for his roles in the James Bond films, having appeared in eleven of the franchise's early entries, beginning with "From Russia with Love" in 1963. Hytten's other notable film credits include "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "Rebecca" (1940), and "The Bishop's Wife" (1947). In addition to his film work, Hytten also appeared in several stage productions in London's West End. Prior to his acting career, he was a successful professional soccer player.
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Jimmy Godden
Jimmy Godden (August 11, 1879 Maidstone-March 5, 1955) was a British actor, pianist and civil servant.
He was born in Maidstone, Kent, England and began his career as a pianist playing in music halls, later transitioning to acting in silent films. In 1920, he became a civil servant, and worked for the Ministry of Labour until his retirement.
Throughout his career, Godden appeared in a number of films, including "The Little People" (1926), "Night and Day" (1934) and "The Proud Valley" (1940). He also appeared in several stage productions in London's West End.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Godden was a talented artist and exhibited his paintings in various galleries. He was also a Freemason, and held the position of Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies for the United Grand Lodge of England.
Godden passed away in 1955 at the age of 75.
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Martin Walker
Martin Walker (July 27, 1901 Harrow, London-September 18, 1955) was a British actor.
He appeared in over 50 films during his career, including "Things to Come" (1936), "Victoria the Great" (1937), and "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940). He also acted on stage, performing in productions such as "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "Twelfth Night" in London's West End.
In addition to his acting career, Walker was also a talented radio announcer for the BBC during World War II. He was known for hosting a program called "Merry Go Round," which was aimed at children and aired daily.
Walker was married twice, first to actress Mabel Terry-Lewis and later to actress Anne Scott. He passed away in 1955 at the age of 54 from a heart attack while filming in Spain.
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Fred Groves
Fred Groves (August 8, 1880 London-June 4, 1955 London) was a British actor.
He began his career in theatre in London's West End and later became a successful film actor. Groves appeared in over 50 films during his career, including Alfred Hitchcock's "The Ring" (1927) and "The Farmer's Wife" (1928). He also acted in several stage productions, playing roles in popular plays such as "The Wind and the Rain" and "The Front Page". Known for his versatility and strong performances, Groves was highly respected by his peers and was considered one of the finest character actors of his time. Despite his success on stage and screen, Groves remained grounded and was known for his kindness and generosity towards his fellow actors.
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O. B. Clarence
O. B. Clarence (March 25, 1870 London-October 2, 1955 Hove) also known as O B Clarence, Oliver Burchett Clarence, O. B. Clarence or O.B. Clarence was a British actor.
In addition to his work as an actor, O.B. Clarence was also a successful playwright and director. He began his acting career in the late 1890s and appeared in numerous stage productions throughout his career. He was also active in the film industry, appearing in several silent films in the 1910s and 1920s.
Clarence's most famous role, however, was not as an actor, but as a playwright. His play "Green for Danger" premiered in 1944 and was immediately successful, being praised for its suspenseful plot and witty dialogue. The play was later adapted into a film in 1946 and has since become a classic of the murder mystery genre.
Despite his success, Clarence remained relatively unknown outside of the theatrical world. He never married, and little is known about his personal life beyond his work in the theater. However, his contributions to British drama continue to be celebrated to this day.
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Hugh Pryse
Hugh Pryse (November 11, 1910 London-August 11, 1955 England) also known as Hwfa Pryce, J. Hwfa Pryse or John Hwfa Pryse was a British actor.
He was born Hugh David Pryse and grew up in a Welsh family. After training at RADA, he began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in stage productions and on screen. Pryse became known for his roles in films such as "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood". During World War II, he served in the Royal Air Force before returning to his acting career. In the 1950s, Pryse continued to work in theatre and on television, becoming a regular on the popular BBC series "The Grove Family". He passed away at the age of 44 from a heart attack.
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Vernon Steele
Vernon Steele (September 18, 1882 Santiago-July 23, 1955 Los Angeles) also known as Vernon Steel, R.V. Steele, Victor Steele or R. Vernon Steele was a British actor.
Steele was famous for his work in Hollywood, where he appeared in over 100 films between 1915 and 1940. He started his acting career on the stage in England and later moved to America. Some of his notable film roles include "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923), "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925), and "The Mysterious Island" (1929). Steele was also an accomplished writer and director, and he directed a number of silent films in the 1920s. He continued to act in films until his death in 1955 from a heart attack. Overall, Steele's contributions to the film industry have made him a memorable figure in Hollywood's early history.
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Claude Dampier
Claude Dampier (November 27, 1879 Clapham-January 1, 1955 London) also known as Claud Conolly Cowan was a British actor and screenwriter. He had one child, Dorothy Dampier.
Dampier began his career on stage, appearing in various pantomimes and variety shows. He later moved on to films, both acting in and writing them. He was a prolific screenwriter, credited with writing over 100 films during his career, including some of the early talkies. He is perhaps best remembered for his comedic roles, often playing the lovable rogue or bumbling sidekick. In addition to his screen work, Dampier also wrote several books on his experiences in show business. Despite his success, Dampier faced financial difficulties later in life and was forced to sell his house and much of his prized memorabilia collection. He passed away in 1955, but his work continues to be celebrated by fans of British film and comedy.
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Howard Gaye
Howard Gaye (May 23, 1878-December 26, 1955 London) was a British actor.
He was born in Brighton, England and started his career as a stage actor before transitioning to the film industry. Gaye appeared in over 120 films throughout his career, including notable roles in "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) and "Ben-Hur" (1925). Although Gaye received critical acclaim for his acting abilities, he struggled to find consistent work in Hollywood due to his heavy British accent. He ultimately returned to England and continued to act in British films until his death in 1955.
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Peter Martyn
Peter Martyn (October 19, 1925 London-February 15, 1955 London) was a British actor.
He started his acting career at an early age and appeared in various local productions before making his professional debut on stage in 1946. Martyn's breakthrough performance came in 1952 when he played the lead role in the West End production of "The Calm" which earned him critical acclaim and established his reputation as a leading stage actor.
In addition to his stage work, Martyn also appeared in several films including "The One That Got Away" (1957) and "The Gilded Cage" (1955). Unfortunately, Martyn's promising career was cut short when he died tragically in a car accident at the age of 29, just two years after his breakthrough performance. Despite his short career, Martyn is still remembered for his talent and dedication to his craft.
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Johnnie Schofield
Johnnie Schofield (March 10, 1889 Islington-September 9, 1955 Marylebone) a.k.a. John William Schofield, John Schofield or Johnny Schofield was a British actor.
He began his career as a child actor, appearing in numerous silent films and stage productions before transitioning to adult roles in the 1920s. Schofield was especially known for his work in British comedies, often playing bumbling or eccentric characters. He appeared in over 70 films throughout his career, including notable roles in "The Ghost Train" and "The Citadel". In addition to his acting work, Schofield was also a talented musician and performed as a trumpet player in various jazz bands. He died in 1955 at the age of 66.
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Basil Gill
Basil Gill (March 10, 1877 Birkenhead-April 23, 1955 Hove) was a British actor.
During his career, Basil Gill appeared in numerous stage productions, including plays by William Shakespeare, Noel Coward, and Oscar Wilde. He also acted in several films, including "The Lure of Crooning Water" (1920) and "A Son of David" (1920). Gill was known for his versatile roles and ability to portray characters with authenticity and depth. He was particularly admired for his work in Shakespearean productions, and his portrayal of King Lear was considered one of his greatest performances. In addition to his acting career, Gill was also an accomplished playwright and wrote several plays, including "Hope Deferred" (1922) and "The Deserted Village" (1922). He continued to act and write until his death in 1955.
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