James Donald: Difference between revisions
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Donald was born in [[Aberdeen]], and made his first professional stage appearance sometime in the mid-30s, having been educated at [[Rossall School]]. During World War II he appeared in minor roles in such propaganda classics as ''[[In Which We Serve]]'' (1942), ''[[Went the Day Well?]]'' (1942) and ''[[The Way Ahead]]'' (1944). However, leading roles eluded him until ''[[Lust for Life (film)|Lust for Life]]'' (1956), in which he played [[Theo van Gogh (art dealer)|Theo Van Gogh]]. |
Donald was born in [[Aberdeen]], and made his first professional stage appearance sometime in the mid-30s, having been educated at [[Rossall School]]. During World War II he appeared in minor roles in such propaganda classics as ''[[In Which We Serve]]'' (1942), ''[[Went the Day Well?]]'' (1942) and ''[[The Way Ahead]]'' (1944). However, leading roles eluded him until ''[[Lust for Life (film)|Lust for Life]]'' (1956), in which he played [[Theo van Gogh (art dealer)|Theo Van Gogh]]. |
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He then memorably portrayed Major Clipton in ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957). The final words of the film are his: "Madness. Madness!" He also played Group Captain Ramsey, the senior British officer in ''[[The Great Escape (film)|The Great Escape]]'' (1963), as well as supporting roles in other notable films both in [[UK|Britain]] and the [[United States]], including [[The Vikings ( |
He then memorably portrayed Major Clipton in ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957). The final words of the film are his: "Madness. Madness!" He also played Group Captain Ramsey, the senior British officer in ''[[The Great Escape (film)|The Great Escape]]'' (1963), as well as supporting roles in other notable films both in [[UK|Britain]] and the [[United States]], including [[The Vikings (film)]] (1958), ''[[King Rat (1965 film)|King Rat]]'' (1965), ''[[Cast a Giant Shadow]]'' (1966), and ''[[Quatermass and the Pit (film)|Quatermass and the Pit]]'' (1967). |
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He also appeared regularly in many TV dramas in the UK and USA, as well as on stage. |
He also appeared regularly in many TV dramas in the UK and USA, as well as on stage. |
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Revision as of 16:30, 10 May 2008
James Donald | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 18, 1917 |
| Died | August 3, 1993 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Scottish  |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | The Great Escape |
James Donald (May 18, 1917 - August 3, 1993) was a Scottish actor. Tall and gaunt, he specialized in playing authority figures; military officers, doctors or scientists.
Donald was born in Aberdeen, and made his first professional stage appearance sometime in the mid-30s, having been educated at Rossall School. During World War II he appeared in minor roles in such propaganda classics as In Which We Serve (1942), Went the Day Well? (1942) and The Way Ahead (1944). However, leading roles eluded him until Lust for Life (1956), in which he played Theo Van Gogh.
He then memorably portrayed Major Clipton in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). The final words of the film are his: "Madness. Madness!" He also played Group Captain Ramsey, the senior British officer in The Great Escape (1963), as well as supporting roles in other notable films both in Britain and the United States, including The Vikings (film) (1958), King Rat (1965), Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), and Quatermass and the Pit (1967).
He also appeared regularly in many TV dramas in the UK and USA, as well as on stage.
External links
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