James Donald
Biography
James Donald was a Scottish actor born in Aberdeen on May 18, 1917, and he died on August 3, 1993, at the age of 76. Educated at Rossall School on Lancashire's Fylde coast, he made his first professional stage appearance in the late-1930s. Tall and gaunt, he specialized in portraying authority figures such as military officers, doctors, and scientists. During World War II, he appeared in minor roles in the propaganda films In Which We Serve and Went the Day Well? in 1942, and The Way Ahead in 1944. He later played Mr. Winkle in the 1952 film version of The Pickwick Papers. Leading roles eluded him until 1956, when he played Theo Van Gogh in Lust for Life. His career included work in both film and theatre.
Career overview
James Donald was a Scottish actor born in Aberdeen on May 18, 1917, and he died on August 3, 1993, at the age of seventy-six. Educated at Rossall School on Lancashire's Fylde coast, he made his first professional stage appearance sometime in the late-nineteen-thirties. Standing tall and gaunt, Donald specialized in portraying authority figures, including military officers, doctors, and scientists.
During World War II, he appeared in minor roles within propaganda classics such as In Which We Serve in 1942, Went the Day Well? in 1942, and The Way Ahead in 1944. Later, he played the role of Mr. Winkle in the 1952 film version of The Pickwick Papers. Although leading roles initially eluded him, he achieved recognition in 1956 when he played Theo Van Gogh in Lust for Life. His extensive career included various credits in both film and theatre.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
46 titles- Doc in the Box (2015) as Crabs Guy
- Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood (1987) as Dr. Mathew Roney (archive footage)
- The Big Sleep (1978) as Inspector Gregory
- Conduct Unbecoming (1975) as The Doctor
- The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969) as King Carlos
- David Copperfield (1969) as Mr. Murdstone
- Hannibal Brooks (1969) as Padre
- Destiny of a Spy (1969) as Sir Martin Rolfe
- Quatermass and the Pit (1967) as Dr. Mathew Roney
- The Jokers (1967) as Col. Gurney-Simms
- Cast a Giant Shadow (1966) as Maj. Safir
- King Rat (1965) as Dr. Kennedy
- Thursday Theatre (1964) as Edward Chamberlayne
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
- The Great Escape (1963) as Ramsey 'The SBO'
- Pygmalion (1963) as Henry Higgins
- Ben Casey (1961)
- Victoria Regina (1961) as Prince Albert
- The Citadel (1960) as Dr. Andrew Manson
- Play of the Week (1959) as Priest
- Third Man on the Mountain (1959) as Franz Lerner
- Perilous Assignment (1959) as Self
- The Vikings (1958) as Lord Egbert
- DuPont Show of the Month (1957) as Sydney Carton
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) as Maj. Clipton
- Lust for Life (1956) as Theo van Gogh
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Harry Pope
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Mark Cavendish
- Beau Brummell (1954) as Lord Edwin Mercer
- The Net (1953) as Michael Heathley
- The Pickwick Papers (1952) as Nathaniel Winkle
- Gift Horse (1952) as Lt. Richard Jennings, No. 1
- Brandy for the Parson (1952) as Bill Harper
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Prince Albert
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Henry Higgins
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Warwick
- White Corridors (1951) as Neil Marriner
- Cage of Gold (1950) as Alan
- Edward, My Son (1949) as Bronton
- Trottie True (1949) as Lord Digby Langdon
- Broken Journey (1948) as Bill Haverton
- The Small Voice (1948) as Murray Byrne
- The Way Ahead (1944) as Pvt. Evans Lloyd
- San Demetrio London (1943) as Gunnery Officer - H.M.S. Jervis Bay
- In Which We Serve (1942) as Doc
- One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) as (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is James Donald best known for?
James Donald is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Big Sleep (1978), Hannibal Brooks (1969), Quatermass and the Pit (1967), Cast a Giant Shadow (1966).
When and where was James Donald born?
James Donald was born on May 18, 1917 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK. They passed away on August 3, 1993.
How many credits does James Donald have?
James Donald has accumulated over 46 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1942 to 2015.
What is James Donald's background in cinema and television?
James Donald was a Scottish actor born in Aberdeen on May 18, 1917, and he died on August 3, 1993, at the age of 76. Educated at Rossall School on Lancashire's Fylde coast, he made his first professional stage appearance in the late-1930s. Tall and gaunt, he specialized in portraying authority figures such as military ...
James Donald by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Prince Albert — aged about 34
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Henry Higgins — aged about 34
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Warwick — aged about 34
- The Great Escape (1963) as Ramsey 'The SBO' — aged about 46
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) as Maj. Clipton — aged about 40
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Harry Pope — aged about 38
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