Edmund Gwenn
(1875 - 1959)One of the better known and most successful character actors ever, he was a magnificent screen presence with his stocky physique, twinkling eyes and kindly demeanor, not to mention his smooth and soothing voice. He was born in Glamorgan, Wales on September 26, 1875 of a stern Civil Servant father who actually turned him out of the household at the age of 17 when he expressed a desire to become an actor. Fulfilling his dream he headed for London and the British stage where he was discovered by playwright George Bernard Shaw who cast him in his play "Man and Superman" and other subsequent productions. After serving in the army in World War I he migrated to Hollywood where his film career blossomed and eventually he won the Oscar in 1947 for his memorable role as Kris Kringle in "Miracle on 34th Street." He also received acclaim for his roles in "Mister 880" (1950) as Skipper Miller and Hitchcock's "The Trouble With Harry" (1955) as Capt. Albert Wiles. Among his many other film credits are: "The Real Thing at Last" (1916) a silent and his film debut; both versions, silent and sound, of "The Skin Game" (1920 & 1931) as Mr. Hornblower; "Anthony Adverse"(1936) as John Bonnyfeather; "A Yank at Oxford" (1938) as Dean of Cardinal; "Pride and Prejudice" (1940) as Mr. Bennett; Hitchcock's "Foreign Correspondent" (1940) as Rowley; "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941) as Mr. Hooper; "Lassie Come Home" (1943) as Rowlie; "The Keys of the Kingdom" (1944) as Rev. Hamish MacNabb; "Of Human Bondage" (1946) as Athelny; "Thunder in the Valley" (1947) as Adam MacAdam; "Green Dolphin Street" (1947) as Octavius Patourel; "Life With Father" (1947) as Reverend Doctor Lloyd; "Apartment for Peggy" (1948) as Prof. Henry Barnes; "Sally and Saint Anne" (1952) as Grandpa Pat Ryan; "Mister Scoutmaster" (1953) as Dr. Stone; the science fiction classic "Them!" (1955) as Dr. Harold Medford and " (1957) as Jorge, a Professor, his last film. On TV he appeared in an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" in 1955. He died on September 6, 1959 in Woodland Hills, California of natural causes at age 83.
From Great Character Actors, Page 2.
|
