Ivan F. Simpson
Biography
Ivan F. Simpson was a Scottish film and stage actor born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, on February 4, 1875. As a young man, he moved to New York City, where he worked on Broadway for four decades from 1906 until his death. He began his silent film career in 1915, starring in notable silent films such as The Green Goddess in 1923, playing the role of Mister Watkins. He reprised this role seven years later in the sound film version of The Green Goddess. In 1929, he portrayed Hugh Myers in Disraeli, acting alongside his close friend George Arliss. Arliss and Simpson appeared together in a total of nine films. Simpson passed away on October 12, 1951, at the age of 76.
Career overview
Ivan F. Simpson was a Scottish film and stage actor born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, whose career spanned both the stage and screen. As a young man, he moved to New York City, where he worked on Broadway for four decades starting in 1906 and continuing until his death. His birth date is recorded in sources as either February 8, 1875 or February 4, 1875. He passed away on October 12, 1951, at the age of seventy-six.
In 1915, Simpson began his silent film career. He starred in notable silent films, including the 1923 feature The Green Goddess, in which he played the role of Mister Watkins. Seven years later, he reprised this role in the sound film version of The Green Goddess. In 1929, he portrayed Hugh Myers in the film Disraeli, acting alongside his close friend George Arliss. Altogether, Simpson and Arliss appeared together in a total of nine films. Over the course of his acting career, Simpson accumulated eighty-eight known credits on screen, achieving notable success particularly during the 1930s. He was also known by the alternative name Ivan Freebod.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
88 titles- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
- My Girl Tisa (1948)
- Jane Eyre (1943) as Mr. Woods - the Minister
- Above Suspicion (1943) as Porter in Oxford (Uncredited)
- Forever and a Day (1943) as Dexter
- This Land Is Mine (1943) as Judge
- My Kingdom for a Cook (1943) as Professor Harlow
- Two Weeks to Live (1943) as Professor Albert Frisby (as Ivan Simpson)
- Random Harvest (1942) as The Vicar
- They All Kissed the Bride (1942) as Dr. Cassell
- The Male Animal (1942) as Dean Frederick Damon
- Nazi Agent (1942) as Professor Sterling (as Ivan Simpson)
- Eagle Squadron (1942) as Simms
- Nightmare (1942) as Money Changer
- The Body Disappears (1941) as Dean Claxton
- The Invisible Man Returns (1940) as Mr. Cotton (uncredited)
- New Moon (1940) as Guizot
- The Earl of Chicago (1940) as Hargraves (uncredited)
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) as Gates - Trial Prosecutor (uncredited)
- Made for Each Other (1939) as Simon (uncredited)
- Tower of London (1939) as Anne's Protector
- Never Say Die (1939) as Kretsky
- The Sun Never Sets (1939) as A Doctor
- Rulers of the Sea (1939) as Secretary (Uncredited)
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) as Proprietor of Kent Road Tavern (uncredited)
- The Baroness and the Butler (1938) as Count Dormo
- Marie Antoinette (1938) as Sauce (uncredited)
- Kidnapped (1938) as Old Man
- Invisible Enemy (1938) as Michael (as Ivan Simpson)
- The Prince and the Pauper (1937) as Clemens
- Night of Mystery (1937)
- Maid of Salem (1937) as Rev. Parris
- Youth on Parole (1937) as Henchman (uncredited)
- London by Night (1937) as Burroughs
- Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) as Reverend Mordaunt
- Lloyd's of London (1936) as Old Man
- Trouble for Two (1936) as Collins (as Ivan Simpson)
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) as Morgan
- Mark of the Vampire (1935) as Jan
- Captain Blood (1935) as Prosecutor
- David Copperfield (1935) as Littimer
- East of Java (1935) as Resident
- The Bishop Misbehaves (1935) as Mr. Grantham
- The Great Impersonation (1935) as Dr. Harrison
- Splendor (1935) as Fletcher
- Shadow of Doubt (1935) as Morse
- Stingaree (1934) as Man with Beard (uncredited)
- The House of Rothschild (1934) as Amschel Rothschild
- British Agent (1934) as 'Poohbah' Evans
- Among the Missing (1934) as Smeed
- Man of Two Worlds (1934) as Dr. Lott
- The Little Minister (1934) as Sanders Webster
- The World Moves On (1934) as Clumber
- The Mystery of Mr. X (1934) as Hutchinson
- Midnight Mary (1933) as Tindle
- Charlie Chan's Greatest Case (1933) as Brade
- The Silk Express (1933) as Johnson, Kilgore's Secretary
- The Secret of Madame Blanche (1933) as Aubrey's Lawyer (Uncredited)
- The Past of Mary Holmes (1933) as Jacob Riggs
- The Monkey's Paw (1933) as Mr. White
- Her Secret (1933) as Lathrop
- The Man Who Played God (1932) as Battle
- The Phantom of Crestwood (1932) as Mr. Vayne
- Sherlock Holmes (1932) as Faulkner
- The Crash (1932) as Hodge
- A Passport to Hell (1932) as Simms
- Safe in Hell (1931) as Crunch
- The Reckless Hour (1931) as Stevens - Adams' Butler (uncredited)
- The Millionaire (1931) as Davis
- The Lady Who Dared (1931) as Butler
- Manslaughter (1930) as Morson
- Isle of Escape (1930) as Judge
- The Green Goddess (1930) as Watkins
- The Sea God (1930) as Pearly Nick
- Inside the Lines (1930) as Capper
- Old English (1930) as Joe Pillin
- The Way of All Men (1930) as Higgins
- Disraeli (1929) as Sir Hugh Myers
- A Kiss for Cinderella (1925) as Mr. Cutaway
- Miss Bluebeard (1925) as Bounds
- Wild, Wild Susan (1925) as Malcolm
- Womanhandled (1925) as Butler
- Lovers in Quarantine (1925) as The Silent Passenger
- Twenty Dollars a Week (1924) as James Pettison
- The Green Goddess (1923) as Watkins
- The Man Who Played God (1922) as Battle
- Out of the Drifts (1916) as Martin
- The Dictator (1915) as Simpson
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ivan F. Simpson best known for?
Ivan F. Simpson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Philco Television Playhouse (1948), Mysterious Joker (2014), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939).
When and where was Ivan F. Simpson born?
Ivan F. Simpson was born on February 4, 1875 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. They passed away on October 12, 1951.
How many credits does Ivan F. Simpson have?
Ivan F. Simpson has accumulated over 88 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1922 to 1948.
What is Ivan F. Simpson's background in cinema and television?
Ivan F. Simpson was a Scottish film and stage actor born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, on February 4, 1875. As a young man, he moved to New York City, where he worked on Broadway for four decades from 1906 until his death. He began his silent film career in 1915, starring in notable silent films such as The Gre...
Ivan F. Simpson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Charlie Chan's Greatest Case (1933) as Brade — aged about 58
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) as Proprietor of Kent Road Tavern (uncredited) — aged about 63
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) as Morgan — aged about 60
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) as Gates - Trial Prosecutor (uncredited) — aged about 64
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948) — aged about 73
- The Invisible Man Returns (1940) as Mr. Cotton (uncredited) — aged about 65
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