English movie stars born in 1905
Here are 12 famous actors from England were born in 1905:
Robert Donat
Robert Donat (March 18, 1905 Withington-June 9, 1958 London) otherwise known as Friedrich Robert Donath, Don or Fritz was an English actor. He had three children, Joanna Donat, John Donat and Brian Donat.
Donat was born and raised in Withington, Manchester, England. He began his acting career on stage in the 1920s before transitioning to film in the 1930s. He made his film debut in the 1932 movie "Men of Tomorrow" and went on to star in numerous successful films, including "The 39 Steps" (1935), "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1939), and "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" (1958).
Donat had a reputation for being a dedicated and versatile actor, often able to play a wide range of roles with ease. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" and was nominated for several other awards throughout his career.
Despite his success in acting, Donat struggled with chronic asthma throughout his life, and it eventually led to his death at the age of 53. His legacy as a talented and beloved actor lives on through his many performances on stage and screen.
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Ted Ray
Ted Ray (November 21, 1905 Wigan-November 8, 1977 London) also known as Charlie Olden was an English comedian and actor. He had two children, Robin Ray and Andrew Ray.
Ted Ray began his career in entertainment as a musician and singer before transitioning to comedy. He gained fame in the 1940s and 1950s for his work on BBC radio, with shows such as Ted Ray's Show and Ray's a Laugh. He also appeared in several films and television shows throughout his career, including the 1967 film Casino Royale.
In addition to his successful career in entertainment, Ted Ray was also an accomplished golfer and became known for his charity work in the sport. He was President of the British Professional Golfers' Association from 1972 to 1974.
Ted Ray passed away in 1977 at the age of 71. He is remembered as a beloved and influential figure in British comedy and entertainment, who helped pave the way for future comedians.
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Michael Powell
Michael Powell (September 30, 1905 Bekesbourne-February 19, 1990 Avening) also known as Michael Latham Powell, Mickey or Micky Powell was an English screenwriter, film director, film producer, actor, television director, film editor and cinematographer. His children are called Columba Powell and Kevin Michael Powell.
Powell began his career as a stage actor and made his film debut in 1925. He soon transitioned to film directing and produced many British film classics throughout his career, including "The Red Shoes" and "Black Narcissus." In addition to directing and producing, Powell also wrote a number of screenplays and collaborated with notable filmmakers such as Emeric Pressburger. Powell was known for his visually stunning films and innovative techniques, which earned him numerous accolades and recognition in the film industry. He was awarded a knighthood in 1981 for his contributions to the British film industry. Powell was married to actress-turned-filmmaker Thelma Schoonmaker, who later become an Oscar-winning film editor for many of his films.
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Sebastian Shaw
Sebastian Shaw (May 29, 1905 Holt-December 23, 1994 Brighton) otherwise known as Sebastian Lewis Shaw was an English actor, theatre director, poet and playwright. He had two children, Drusilla Shaw and John Peel.
Shaw began his acting career in the 1920s, performing in several stage productions. He made his film debut in 1930 and went on to appear in over 40 feature films. Shaw is best remembered for his role as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. Although his face was never shown on screen, he provided the physical portrayal of the iconic character.
Aside from acting, Shaw was also a respected theatre director and founded his own theatre company, the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park, London. He was also a prolific poet and playwright, publishing several collections of poetry and writing numerous plays throughout his career.
Throughout his life, Shaw was heavily involved in politics and was a member of the Labour Party. He was a strong supporter of the arts and fought for increased funding and support for the creative industries in the UK.
Shaw passed away in 1994 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected and talented actors of his generation.
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Leo Genn
Leo Genn (August 9, 1905 London-January 26, 1978 London) also known as Leo John Genn was an English actor, voice actor, barrister and lawyer.
Leo Genn was born into a Jewish family, his parents emigrated from Lithuania to England in the late 19th century. Leo studied law and was called to the bar in 1928. He practiced as a barrister for several years, however, he was unhappy with his career. In the early 1930s, he started taking theater classes and became passionate about acting.
Leo Genn made his debut on stage in 1939 in the play "The First Gentleman". He made his film debut in 1940 in the movie "21 Days". He quickly gained popularity and became one of the most sought-after actors of his time.
During World War II, Leo served as a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. After the war, he continued his acting career and appeared in several films including "Quo Vadis" (1951), "The Battle of the River Plate" (1956) and "The Angry Silence" (1960).
Aside from his acting career, Leo Genn was also a successful voice actor. He lent his voice to several films including "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963) and "The Mouse on the Moon" (1963).
Leo Genn was married twice and had two sons. He passed away in London in 1978 at the age of 72.
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John Abbott
John Abbott (June 5, 1905 London-May 24, 1996 Los Angeles) otherwise known as John Kefford or John Albert Chamberlain Kefford was an English actor.
He made his film debut in 1932, and quickly gained popularity as a character actor due to his rugged looks and distinctive voice. Abbott appeared in over 150 film and television productions throughout his career, including classic films such as "Mrs. Miniver" (1942) and "The Jungle Book" (1967). He was also known for his work in the horror genre, and appeared in several films for Universal Studios, including "The Invisible Man" (1933) and "Isle of the Dead" (1945). In addition to his film work, Abbott also had a successful stage career, appearing in numerous productions both in his native England and in the United States.
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Torin Thatcher
Torin Thatcher (January 15, 1905 Mumbai-March 4, 1981 Thousand Oaks) also known as Torin Herbert Erskine Thatcher or Thorin Thatcher was an English actor.
He made his film debut in 1949 in the film "The Queen of Spades" and went on to appear in over 120 films throughout his career, often portraying villains or authority figures. Some of his notable film credits include "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad," "The Robe," and "The Longest Day." Thatcher also had a successful career in theater, including a Tony-nominated performance in the play "Witness for the Prosecution." He was also a familiar face on television, appearing in numerous shows such as "The Twilight Zone" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." Despite being born in India, Thatcher was a highly regarded Shakespearean actor and performed in many of the Bard's plays throughout his career.
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Robert Medley
Robert Medley (December 19, 1905 England-October 20, 1994 London) otherwise known as Charles Robert Owen Medley was an English actor.
He was best known for his series of appearances in films during the 1930s and 1940s, including his role as Jack Worthing in the 1952 film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest". Medley also had a successful career on stage in productions such as "The Cherry Orchard" and "The Barretts of Wimpole Street". He later transitioned into directing and produced several well-received stage productions in London's West End. Medley was also an accomplished musician and composer, and he often incorporated his original music into his productions. He passed away in London in 1994 at the age of 88.
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Jule Styne
Jule Styne (December 31, 1905 London-September 20, 1994 New York City) a.k.a. Jules Styne, Julius Kerwin Styne, Julie, Julius Kerwin Stein or Julie Styne was an English songwriter, film score composer, television producer, actor and writer.
He is best known for his work in musical theater, with some of his most famous compositions including "Gypsy", "Funny Girl", and "Bells Are Ringing". Styne began his career in the 1920s, playing piano in Chicago nightclubs. He eventually moved to New York and became a staff arranger for music publisher Jack Robbins. In the 1940s, he began collaborating with lyricist Sammy Cahn, and together they wrote a number of popular songs, including "I've Heard That Song Before" and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Styne was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972, and his legacy continues to be celebrated in musical theaters all over the world.
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Mantovani
Mantovani (November 15, 1905 Venice-March 29, 1980 Royal Tunbridge Wells) also known as Annunzio Paolo Mantovani, Mantovani and his Tipica Orchestra, Mantovani mit seinem Charmaine-Orchester, Annunzio Mantovani or Monty was an English bandleader, composer, conductor, violinist, actor, film score composer and music director. He had two children, Kenneth Mantovani and Paula Irene Mantovani.
Mantovani became one of the most successful orchestra leaders of his time, specializing in light orchestral music with lush string arrangements. He recorded over 50 albums and sold over 60 million records throughout his career. Mantovani's signature "cascading strings" style of music became popular not only in the UK, but also in the United States and around the world.
Aside from his music career, Mantovani was also an accomplished actor and film composer. He composed the score for several films in the 1940s and 1950s, as well as appearing in a number of films and television shows himself. Despite his success in the entertainment industry, he remained a private and somewhat elusive figure throughout his life.
After his death in 1980, Mantovani's music continued to be popular, and his recordings have been reissued and remastered many times over the years. He is remembered as one of the most distinctive and influential bandleaders of the 20th century.
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Harry Revel
Harry Revel (December 21, 1905 London-November 3, 1958 New York City) was an English composer, film score composer and actor.
He composed music for over 20 films in Hollywood, including such notable classics as "Kiss Me Deadly" and "Tammy and the Bachelor." As a songwriter, Revel collaborated with many popular lyricists and entertainers of his time, including Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and Judy Garland. Revel even co-wrote the popular song "The Nearness of You" with Hoagy Carmichael. In addition to composing and songwriting, Revel also acted in a handful of films, including a cameo in "The Great Ziegfeld." Despite his success in Hollywood, Revel suffered and battled with alcoholism for many years, which ultimately lead to his untimely death at the age of 52. Despite his struggles, his contributions to film music and popular culture during his lifetime continue to be remembered and celebrated today.
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Vernon Harris
Vernon Harris (February 26, 1905 Folkestone-November 1, 1989 Surrey) was an English screenwriter and actor.
Harris became known for his work on British comedies, most notably for his collaborations with the comedy duo, Laurel and Hardy. He wrote for several of their films, including "A Chump at Oxford" and "Saps at Sea". Harris also appeared in a number of films, often in small roles or cameos, including "The Titfield Thunderbolt" and "The Million Pound Note". In addition to his work in film, Harris was also a talented writer and contributed humorous articles to various magazines. He was married to actress Dorothy Granger from 1946 until her death in 1957. After retiring from the entertainment industry, Harris spent his later years living in Surrey, where he passed away in 1989.
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