Denholm Elliott
(1922 - 1992)It's quite difficult to categorize Denholm Elliott except to say that he was a "scene stealer." He could play alcoholics, professors, clerics, soldiers, butlers and just about everything else. He was born in London, England on May 31, 1922 and like many of his contemporaries studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts but dropped out. He joined the Royal Air Force during World War II and was captured and served in a prisoner-of war camp where he organized a theatrical group. After the War he immediately joined a stock theatre company and was discovered by Laurence Olivier which led to a distinguished stage and film career. He won many awards for his work including the British Academy Award. Among my favorite roles of his were as Dan Aykroyd's valet Coleman in "Trading Places" (1983) and as Professor Jones' (Sean Connery) and Indiana Jones’ (Harrison Ford) comrade Marcus Brody in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989). His other film credits included: "Dear Mr. Prohack" (1949) as Oswald Morfey, his film debut; "The Holly and the Ivy" (1952) as Michael 'Mick' Gregory; "The Cruel Sea" (1953) as Morell; "Station Six--Sahara" (1963) as Macey; "King Rat" (1965) as Lt. Col. Larkin; "Alfie" (1966) as Mr. Smith; "The Night They Raided Minsky's" (1968) as Vance Fowler; "Too Late the Hero" (1970) as Captain Hornsby; "Voyage of the Damned" (1976) as Admiral Canaris; "Robin and Marian" (1976) as Will Scarlett; "A Bridge too Far" (1977) as R.A.F. Met. Officer; "The Boys from Brazil" (1978) as Sidney Beynon; "Rude Awakening" (1981) as Norman Shenley; "A Room With a View" (1986) as Mr. Emerson; "Maurice" (1987) as Dr. Barry; "Toy Soldiers" (1991) as the Headmaster and "Noises Off" (1992) as Selsdon Mowbray/The Burglar, his last theatrical film. On television he appeared in the series: "The Man in Room 17" (1966) as Defraits and "Orde Wingate" (1976) and the mini-series "Marco Polo" (1982) as Niccolo Polo; "Bleak House" (1985) as John Jarndyce. He also starred in many TV movies including: "Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry" (1986); "The Bourne Identity" (1988) and "The Love She Sought" (1990) with Angela Lansbury, as James O'Hannon, a terrific film in which he excelled. He died on October 6, 1992 of AIDS in Ibiza, Spain at age 70.
From Great Character Actors, Page 2.
|
