Cecil Parker
Biography
Cecil Parker, born Cecil Schwabe in September 1897 in Hastings, Sussex, England, was an English character and comedy actor noted for his husky voice and frequent portrayal of supporting, often aristocratic, roles. After serving in World War I he began a theatrical career in London in 1922 and made his first film appearance in 1928. Over a career that spanned four decades he appeared in 91 films made between 1928 and 1969, with notable performances in two A. J. Cronin adaptations—The Citadel (1938) and The Stars Look Down (1940)—as well as in The Lady Vanishes (1938) and Under Capricorn (1949). He worked less often on television, and many of his films continue to be shown. Parker died on 20 April 1971 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
Career overview
Cecil Parker began his theatrical career in London in 1922 after serving in World War I. He made his first film appearance in 1928. Parker went on to appear in numerous British and American films, often playing supporting roles.
He acted in two adaptations of A. J. Cronin's novels, The Citadel and The Stars Look Down. Parker also appeared in The Lady Vanishes and Under Capricorn. The Citadel was released in 1938, the same year as The Lady Vanishes. The Stars Look Down was released in 1940. Under Capricorn was released in 1949.
Parker's film career spanned over four decades, with a total of 91 films made between 1928 and 1969. He appeared less often on television, but many of his films have remained popular and are often shown. Parker's distinctive husky voice became a recognizable feature of his acting style.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
95 titles- Swiss Family Robinson: Adventure in the Making (2002) as Self (archive)
- Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) as Sir John
- The Magnificent Two (1967) as Sir John
- Circus of Fear (1966) as Sir John
- A Man Could Get Killed (1966) as Sir Huntley Frazier
- A Study in Terror (1965) as Prime Minister
- Lady L (1965) as Sir Percy
- The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) as The Mayor
- Sherlock Holmes (1964)
- Guns at Batasi (1964) as Fletcher
- The Comedy Man (1964) as Thomas Rutherford
- Carry On Jack (1964) as First Sea Lord
- The Iron Maiden (1963) as Sir Giles Thompson
- Heavens Above! (1963) as Archdeacon Aspinall
- The Saint (1962) as Lord Gillingham
- The Brain (1962) as Stevenson
- The Amorous Prawn (1962) as Gen. Sir Hamish Fitzadam
- The Avengers (1961) as Glover
- On the Fiddle (1961) as Group Capt. Bascombe
- On the Fiddle (1961) as Gr/Cpt Bascombe
- Petticoat Pirates (1961) as C-in-C
- The Aquanauts (1960) as Dr. Cattermole
- Citizen James (1960) as Himself
- Swiss Family Robinson (1960) as Captain Moreland
- Under Ten Flags (1960) as Colonel Howard
- A French Mistress (1960) as John Crane M.A. Headmaster of Melbury School
- The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960) as Professor Canford
- Follow That Horse! (1960)
- The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959) as Inquiry Chairman
- The Navy Lark (1959) as Cmdr. Stanton
- The Night We Dropped a Clanger (1959) as Air Vice-Marshal Sir Bertram Bukpasser
- I Was Monty's Double (1958) as Colonel E.F. Logan
- Indiscreet (1958) as Alfred Munson
- A Tale of Two Cities (1958) as Jarvis Lorry
- Happy Is the Bride (1958) as Arthur Royd
- The Admirable Crichton (1957) as Lord Henry Loam
- True as a Turtle (1957) as Dudley Partridge
- 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) as Bob Matthews
- It's Great to be Young! (1956) as Frome, Headmaster
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as The Lawyer
- The Court Jester (1955) as King Roderick I
- The Ladykillers (1955) as Claude, alias 'Major Courtney'
- The Constant Husband (1955) as Llewellyn
- For Better, for Worse (1954) as John Purves
- Father Brown (1954) as The Bishop
- Isn't Life Wonderful! (1953) as Charles, the boy's father
- The Magic Box (1952) as 1st Platform Man
- His Excellency (1952) as Sir James Kirkman
- I Believe in You (1952) as Henry Phipps
- The Man in the White Suit (1951) as Alan Birnley
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Sir Simon de Canterville
- Tony Draws a Horse (1950)
- Under Capricorn (1949) as The Governor
- The Chiltern Hundreds (1949) as Benjamin Beecham
- Dear Mr. Prohack (1949) as Arthur Prohack
- Studio One (1948) as Dr. Hans Hojda
- Studio One (1948) as A newspaper publisher
- The Weaker Sex (1948) as Geoffrey Radcliffe
- The First Gentleman (1948) as The Prince Regent
- Quartet (1948) as Colonel George Peregrine (segment "The Colonel's Lady")
- Hungry Hill (1947) as Copper John
- Captain Boycott (1947) as Capt. Charles C. Boycott
- The Woman in the Hall (1947) as Sir Halmar Barnard
- The Magic Bow (1946) as Luigi Germi
- Caesar and Cleopatra (1945) as Britannus
- Ships with Wings (1941) as German Air Marshal
- Dangerous Moonlight (1941) as Specialist
- The Saint's Vacation (1941) as Rudolph Hauser
- The Stars Look Down (1940) as Stanley Millington
- Under Your Hat (1940) as Sir Jeffrey Arlington
- Sons of the Sea (1939) as Cmdr. Herbert
- The Lady Vanishes (1938) as Eric Todhunter
- Old Iron (1938) as Barnett
- The Citadel (1938) as Dr. Charles Every
- It Might Be You (1938) as Dr. Smith
- Housemaster (1938) as Sir Berkeley Nightingale
- Storm in a Teacup (1937) as Provost William Gow
- Dark Journey (1937) as Captain Of Q-Boat
- Jack of All Trades (1936) as Sir Chas. Darrington
- The Man Who Changed His Mind (1936) as Dr. Gratton
- Men of Yesterday (1936)
- Dishonour Bright (1936) as Vincent Crane
- Crime Unlimited (1935) as Assistant Commissioner
- The Guv'nor (1935) as Bank Director
- Me and Marlborough (1935) as Colonel of the Greys
- Foreign Affaires (1935) as Lord Wormington
- Her Last Affaire (1935) as Sir Arthur Harding
- Little Friend (1934) as Mason
- The Silver Spoon (1934) as Trevor
- The Blue Squadron (1934) as Bianchi
- Dirty Work (1934) as Gordon Bray
- Lady in Danger (1934) as Piker
- The Office Wife (1934) as Lawrence Bradley
- The Golden Cage (1933)
- A Cuckoo in the Nest (1933) as Claude Hickett
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Cecil Parker best known for?
Cecil Parker is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), Super Dad (1993), A Study in Terror (1965), Lady L (1965).
When and where was Cecil Parker born?
Cecil Parker was born on September 2, 1897 in Hastings, Sussex, England, UK. They passed away on April 20, 1971.
How many credits does Cecil Parker have?
Cecil Parker has accumulated over 95 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1933 to 2002.
What is Cecil Parker's background in cinema and television?
Cecil Parker, born Cecil Schwabe in September 1897 in Hastings, Sussex, England, was an English character and comedy actor noted for his husky voice and frequent portrayal of supporting, often aristocratic, roles. After serving in World War I he began a theatrical career in London in 1922 and made his first film appear...
Cecil Parker by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Avengers (1961) as Glover — aged about 63
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as The Lawyer — aged about 57
- Citizen James (1960) as Himself — aged about 62
- The Lady Vanishes (1938) as Eric Todhunter — aged about 40
- The Saint (1962) as Lord Gillingham — aged about 64
- The Court Jester (1955) as King Roderick I — aged about 57
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