English movie stars born in 1903
Here are 11 famous actors from England were born in 1903:
John Williams
John Williams (April 15, 1903 Buckinghamshire-May 5, 1983 La Jolla) was an English actor.
He began his acting career in the 1920s and went on to become a prominent figure in British theatre and film. Williams appeared in over 50 films, including "Sabrina" (1954), "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957), and "The Elephant Man" (1980). He was also known for his stage work, particularly his performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In addition to his acting career, Williams was an accomplished painter and author of several books on art. He was awarded a CBE in 1950 and was knighted in 1959 for his contributions to British theatre and film.
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Alan Napier
Alan Napier (January 7, 1903 Kings Norton-August 8, 1988 Santa Monica) also known as Alan Napier-Claverin, Alan William Napier-Clavering, Nape or Napier was an English actor and voice actor. He had two children, Jennifer Nichols and Jennifer Raine.
Napier is best known for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in the 1960s Batman TV series. However, he had a long and successful career in film and television prior to landing the iconic role. Napier made his stage debut in London in 1927 and appeared in numerous films, including "The Invisible Man" (1933), "Cat People" (1942), "The Song of Bernadette" (1943), and "The Uninvited" (1944). He also had a recurring role on the TV series "The Adventures of Robin Hood" in the 1950s. In addition to his acting career, Napier was a skilled writer and artist, and he published two books of poetry. He was also a close friend of author C.S. Lewis and was part of the Inklings literary group.
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Norman Shelley
Norman Shelley (February 16, 1903 Chelsea-August 22, 1980 London) was an English actor and voice actor. He had one child, Anthony Shelley.
Norman Shelley was best known for his role as John Galsworthy in the 1967 BBC television series, The Forsyte Saga. He also had a successful career as a voice actor, providing the voice for the character of Winnie-the-Pooh in the 1930s radio adaptations of A.A. Milne's classic children's stories. Additionally, Shelley was a skilled Shakespearean actor, having performed in several productions of the Bard's works throughout his career. In 1951, he founded the Marlowe Society with a group of fellow actors and enthusiasts, which aimed to promote the works of Christopher Marlowe and other Elizabethan playwrights. Norman Shelley passed away at the age of 77 in London.
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Patrick Waddington
Patrick Waddington (August 19, 1903 York-February 4, 1987 York) was an English actor.
He began his career on stage, performing in many West End productions, and then transitioned to film and television. Waddington appeared in over 30 films, including "The Four Feathers" (1939), "The Saint in London" (1939), and "The Queen of Spades" (1949). He also had recurring roles in popular British TV shows like "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "The Avengers." In addition to acting, he was also a talented cricket player and even played for the Oxford University cricket team. Waddington died in his hometown of York at the age of 83.
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Eddie Laughton
Eddie Laughton (June 20, 1903 Sheffield-March 21, 1952 Hollywood) a.k.a. Edgar Hugh Loughton, Edward Laughton or Ed Laughton was an English actor.
Eddie Laughton began his acting career on stage in the UK and later moved to the United States to pursue film and television opportunities. He appeared in over 60 films and television shows during his career, often playing supporting roles as a character actor. Some of his notable film credits include "Lost Horizon" (1937), "The Great Dictator" (1940), and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (1947). Laughton was also a familiar face on television, appearing on shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Adventures of Superman." Despite his success as an actor, Laughton struggled with alcoholism and died at the age of 48 from complications related to cirrhosis of the liver.
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Ralph Reader
Ralph Reader (May 25, 1903 Crewkerne-May 18, 1982 London) a.k.a. Ralph Reader's Gang Show or William Henry Ralph Reader was an English actor, theatrical producer and songwriter.
He is best known for his creation and direction of the Gang Shows, a variety revue performed by members of the Scouting movement. He was also a prolific songwriter, having composed many of the songs for the Gang Shows, including the well-known "Crest of a Wave" and "Tipperary". In addition to his work with the Scouts, Reader had a successful career in the West End, appearing in and producing numerous stage productions. He was awarded the OBE in 1956 for his services to the theatre and scouting. Reader's legacy lives on today, with Gang Shows still being performed around the world in his honour.
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Hilton Edwards
Hilton Edwards (February 2, 1903 London-November 18, 1982 Dublin) a.k.a. Edward Hilton was an English actor, theatrical producer and theatre director.
He is best known for co-founding Dublin's Gate Theatre with his partner, Micheál Mac Liammóir in 1928. Together, they introduced the works of many famous playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Seán O'Casey and William Butler Yeats to Irish audiences. Edwards also had a successful acting career on stage and screen, appearing in films such as "Hamlet" and "The Sea Shall Not Have Them." He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1970 for his contributions to theatre.
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Lionel Gamlin
Lionel Gamlin (April 30, 1903 England-October 16, 1967 London) also known as Lionel Gamilin or Lionel James Gamlin was an English commentator, actor and announcer.
He is best remembered for his live radio commentary during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Gamlin started his career as an actor in London's West End and later became an announcer for BBC radio. He went on to cover major events such as the Olympic Games, Wimbledon tennis tournaments, and royal weddings. In addition to his broadcasting career, he also acted in several films including "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" and "The Happiest Days of Your Life". Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Gamlin's life was plagued with personal struggles, including financial difficulties and a failed marriage. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 64.
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Hugh Sinclair
Hugh Sinclair (May 19, 1903 London-December 29, 1962 Slapton) was an English actor.
He began his acting career on stage and then went on to appear in films such as "The Four Feathers" (1939), "The Way to the Stars" (1945), and "The Long Arm" (1956). Sinclair was also a prolific television actor, appearing in popular shows such as "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "The Saint".
Aside from his acting career, Sinclair was also a philanthropist and worked with organizations such as Save the Children Fund and the Red Cross. He was a dedicated supporter of the arts and served on the council of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Sinclair was knighted in 1953.
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William Kendall
William Kendall (August 26, 1903 London-April 1, 1984) also known as William Isaac Kendall was an English actor.
He began his career in the 1920s and appeared in over 40 films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Some of his notable film roles include "Jew Süss" (1934), "Jamaica Inn" (1939), and "The Saint in London" (1939).
In addition to his film work, Kendall was also a prolific stage actor, appearing in productions in London's West End and on Broadway in New York City. He was known for his commanding stage presence and powerful voice.
Kendall continued to act in films and on stage throughout the 1950s and 1960s, but his career slowed down in the 1970s. He made his final screen appearance in the 1975 film "One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing".
Despite his many achievements and contributions to the acting world, Kendall is perhaps best remembered for his role as Baron Hardup in the pantomime "Cinderella". He played the character for over 20 years, becoming a beloved fixture of the British holiday season.
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Gyles Isham
Gyles Isham (October 31, 1903 Lamport-January 29, 1976 Northampton) a.k.a. Sir Gyles Isham was an English actor.
Born into an aristocratic family, Gyles Isham initially trained to become a lawyer but later gave up his profession to pursue acting. He made his stage debut in 1927 and went on to have a successful theatrical career, appearing in many West End plays, including The Rivals, The School for Scandal, and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Isham also made several film appearances, including roles in The Ghost Goes West (1935), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), and The Way Ahead (1944). During the Second World War, he served as a captain in the British Army and was involved in military intelligence.
After the war, Isham returned to acting and became a familiar face on British television, appearing in popular series such as Dr. Finlay's Casebook, The Forsyte Saga, and The Avengers. He was also a regular cast member on the long-running radio soap opera The Archers, playing the character of Sir Gyles de Courcy.
In addition to his acting career, Gyles Isham was involved in various charitable and philanthropic causes. He was a patron of the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). He was knighted in 1973 for his services to the arts and to charity.
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