Bernard Miles
Biography
Bernard James Miles, Baron Miles, CBE (27 September 1907 – 14 June 1991) was an English character actor, writer and director. Born in Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Middlesex, he attended Bishopshalt School in Hillingdon and later studied at Pembroke College, Oxford. He began his theatrical career in the 1930s and soon moved into film, accumulating sixty‑six acting credits. During the Second World War he appeared in patriotic cinema, notably in the classic In Which We Serve. In 1959 he opened the Mermaid Theatre in London, the first new theatre established in the City of London since the seventeenth century. He died on 14 June 1991 at the age of 83.
Career overview
Bernard James Miles, Baron Miles, CBE (27 September 1907 – 14 June 1991) was an English character actor who also worked as a writer and director. Born in Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Middlesex, he was educated at Bishopshalt School in Hillingdon before attending Pembroke College, Oxford. Miles entered the theatre in the 1930s and soon began appearing in films, building a career that spanned both stage and screen. During the Second World War he featured prominently in patriotic cinema, appearing in the classic film In Which We Serve among other wartime productions.
In addition to his acting work, Miles made a lasting contribution to London’s theatrical landscape by opening the Mermaid Theatre in 1959. The venue was notable for being the first new theatre opened in the City of London since the 17th century, reflecting his commitment to expanding cultural opportunities in the capital. According to the Motion Picture Database, his acting career encompassed sixty‑six credited roles across movies and television series, demonstrating a steady presence in British entertainment for several decades.
Miles died on 14 June 1991 at the age of 83. His legacy endures through his extensive filmography, his role in wartime British cinema, and the enduring presence of the Mermaid Theatre, which he founded as a hub for new productions in the heart of London.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- The Lady and the Highwayman (1988) as Judge
- James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- Treasure Island (1982) as Long John Silver
- Treasure Island (1982) Writer
- Closing Ranks (1980) as Sir Alec Ware
- Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1980) as Dr. Thomas
- Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Mr Rummins
- Run Wild, Run Free (1969) as Reg
- Lock Up Your Daughters (1969) Writer
- The Specialist (1966)
- Heavens Above! (1963) as Simpson
- Barbara Hepworth (1961) as Narrator
- Sapphire (1959) as Ted Harris
- The Vision of William Blake (1958) as Poems & Narration
- Tom Thumb (1958) as Jonathan
- Wuthering Heights (1958) as Joseph
- The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) as Old Tom
- Fortune Is a Woman (1957) as Mr. Jerome
- Saint Joan (1957) as Master Executioner
- Doctor at Large (1957) as Haymaking Farmer (uncredited)
- Nathaniel Titlark (1956)
- Moby Dick (1956) as The Manxman
- The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) as Edward Drayton
- Zarak (1956) as Hassu the one-eyed
- Tiger in the Smoke (1956) as Tiddy Doll the Gang Leader
- This Is Your Life (1955) as Self
- Never Let Me Go (1953) as Joe Brooks
- The Magic Box (1952) as Cousin Alfred
- Treasure Island (1951)
- Henry Moore (1951) as Narrator
- Chance of a Lifetime (1950) as Stevens
- Chance of a Lifetime (1950) Director
- Chance of a Lifetime (1950) Writer
- Chance of a Lifetime (1950) Producer
- The Guinea Pig (1948) as Mr. Read
- The Guinea Pig (1948) Screenplay
- The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1947) as Newman Noggs
- Fame Is the Spur (1947) as Tom Hannaway
- Great Expectations (1946) as Joe Gargery
- Carnival (1946) as Trewhella
- Tunisian Victory (1944) as British soldier (voice)
- Tawny Pipit (1944) as Colonel Barton-Barrington
- Tawny Pipit (1944) Writer
- Tawny Pipit (1944) Director
- Tawny Pipit (1944) Producer
- Two Fathers (1944) as The Englishman
- The New Lot (1943) as Ted Loman
- In Which We Serve (1942) as Chief Petty Officer Hardy / Walter Hardy
- Sabotage! (1942) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) as Geoff Hickman, Front Gunner in B for Bertie
- The Goose Steps Out (1942) Idea
- Thunder Rock (1942) Screenplay
- The Day Will Dawn (1942) as McAllister (Irish Soldier)
- The Big Blockade (1942) as Royal Navy Mate
- The Dawn Guard (1941) as Farmer
- Quiet Wedding (1941) as PC
- The Common Touch (1941) as Cricket Steward
- Freedom Radio (1941) as Capt. Muller
- Contraband (1940) as Man Lighting Pipe
- Band Waggon (1940) as Saboteur (uncredited)
- Pastor Hall (1940) as Heinrich Degan
- The Lion Has Wings (1939) as Civilian Observer Controller
- The Spy in Black (1939) as Hans - Hotel Receptionist
- The Citadel (1938) as Medical Aid Society Committee Member (uncredited)
- They Drive by Night (1938) as Detective at Billiard Halls (Uncredited)
- The Challenge (1938) as Villager
- Strange Boarders (1938) as Chemist (uncredited)
- The Rebel Son (1938) as Polish Prisoner
- Secrets of Kew Gardens (1937) as Narrator (voice)
- Twelve Good Men (1936) as Inspector Pine
- Crown v. Stevens (1936) as Detective Wells
- The Love Test (1935) as Allan
- The Guv'nor (1935) as Man at Meeting
- Late Extra (1935) as Charlie (uncredited)