| Roddy McDowall | |
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 McDowall at the 1988 Academy Awards |
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| Born | Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall 17 September 1928 Herne Hill, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | October 3, 1998 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Years active | 1938-1998 |
Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (September 17, 1928 – October 3, 1998) was an English-born actor. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Herne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works
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Biography
Early life
McDowall was born in Herne Hill, London, the son of Winsfriede L. Herne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. (née Corcoran), an Irish-born aspiring actress, and Thomas Andrew McDowall, a Merchant Mariner of Scottish descent. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. [1] Both of his parents were enthusiastic about the theatre. Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one He had a sister, Virginia (1927 - 2006).
McDowall made his first major film appearance at age twelve (though he had previously appeared in several British films), after he and his family came to America because of the Blitz. The Blitz was the sustained bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941 in World War II. He played Huw in How Green Was My Valley (1941) a rôle that made his name, and he appeared in other films as a child actor, including The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The White Cliffs of Dover (1944) and Lassie Come Home (1943) where he co-starred, on the first of many occasions, opposite lifelong friend Elizabeth Taylor. How Green Was My Valley is a 1941 American Drama film directed by John Ford. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Keys of the Kingdom is a 1941 novel by A J Cronin. Spanning four decades it tells the story of Father Francis Chisholm an unconventional Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The White Cliffs of Dover is a 1944 film made by Loew's and MGM. Lassie Come Home ( 1943) is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Feature film starring Roddy McDowall and canine actor Pal in a story Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress
Adult career
McDowall was one of the few child actors to continue his career successfully into adulthood, but it was usually in character roles, notably in heavy makeup as various "chimpanzee" characters in four of the Planet of the Apes movies (1968 – 1973) and in the 1974 TV series that followed. The term child actor is generally applied to a Child Acting in motion pictures or Television, but also to an Adult Planet of the Apes is a 1968 Science fiction / thriller film directed by Franklin J Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Planet of the Apes was a short-lived American Science fiction Television series that aired on Friday evenings at 800 ( Eastern) on Other film appearances included Cleopatra (1963), in which he played Octavian, the later Emperor Augustus; It! (1966), in which he played a Norman Bates character reminiscent of Psycho; The Poseidon Adventure (1972), in which he played Acres, a dining room attendant; Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974); Class of 1984 (1982); Fright Night (1985), in which he played Peter Vincent, a television host and moderator of telecast horror films; and Overboard (1987) in which he played a kind-hearted butler. Cleopatra is a 1963 Film directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz. The screenplay was adapted by Sidney Buchman, Ben Hecht, Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was It! (aka Anger of the Golem, Curse of the Golem) is a 1966 horror film made by Seven Arts Productions and Gold Star Productions Ltd Fictional character biography Both the novel and Alfred Hitchcock 's 1960 film adaptation explain that Bates suffered severe emotional Abuse Psycho is a suspense / Horror film directed by auteur Alfred Hitchcock, from the Screenplay by Joseph Dirty Mary Crazy Larry is a cult 1974 car chase film starring Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, and Vic Morrow Class of 1984 is a 1982 Film about a new musical teacher at a troubled Inner city school where students have to pass through a Metal detector Fright Night is a Vampire horror-comedy film that was released in 1985. Overboard is a movie starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell that was released in the fall of 1987 He also appeared on stage and was frequently a guest star on television shows, appearing in such series as the original The Twilight Zone, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Night Gallery, The Invaders, The Carol Burnett Show, Fantasy Island, Columbo and Quantum Leap. The Twilight Zone is an American Television series created by Rod Serling. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. Night Gallery is Rod Serling 's follow-up series to The Twilight Zone that aired on NBC from 1970 to 1973 The Invaders a Quinn Martin Production, is an ABC Science fiction television program created by Larry Cohen that The Carol Burnett Show is a Sketch comedy Television show starring Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, This article is about the television series For the Amusement park, see Martin's Fantasy Island or Fantasy Island UK Quantum Leap is an American science fiction television series that ran for 96 episodes from March 1989 to May 1993 on the NBC network
He appeared frequently on Hollywood Squares, and occasionally came up with funny quips himself. The Hollywood Squares was an American Television comedy and Game show in which two contestants play Tic-tac-toe to win money For example:
Q. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, what does Queen Gertrude get that was meant for her famous son? McDOWALL: A dozen roses and a box of candy. Hamlet is a Tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water to which a variety of flavorings and colorants is added
He played a character villain, "The Bookworm", in the camp 1960s TV series Batman and had an acclaimed recurring role as The Mad Hatter in Batman: The Animated Series as well as providing his adroit dramatic tones to the audio adaptation of the 1989 Batman film. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Batman is a 1960s American Television series, based on the DC Comic book character of the same name. The Mad Hatter is a fictional character in the Batman comics published by DC Comics. Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Batman is a 1989 Superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. He also played the rebel scientist Dr. Jonathan Willoway in the 1970s Bermuda Triangle-based sci-fi series, The Fantastic Journey. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a region of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean in which a number of Aircraft and surface The Fantastic Journey was a short-lived 1970s American Science fiction television series in 10 episodes that was originally aired on NBC between His final acting role in animation (at least), was for an episode of Godzilla: The Series in the episode "Dreadloch". Godzilla The Series is an Animated Television series which originally aired on Fox Kids. In A Bug's Life (1998), one of his final contributions to motion pictures, he provides the voice of the ant "Mr. A Bug's Life is a 1998 CGI-animated Film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Buena Vista Distribution in the Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Soil".
During the 1990s, McDowall became active in film preservation and participated in the restoration of Cleopatra (1963), which had been severely cut by 20th Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck after skyrocketing production costs. Cleopatra is a 1963 Film directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz. The screenplay was adapted by Sidney Buchman, Ben Hecht, Darryl Francis Zanuck ( September 5, 1902 &ndash December 22, 1979) was an Academy Award -winning producer, Writer McDowall served for several years in various capacities on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that presents the Oscar Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization ostensibly dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of Motion "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. He was Chairman of the Actor's Branch for five terms. He was elected President of the Academy Foundation the year that he died.
McDowall received recognition as a photographer and published five books of photographs, one being of his celebrity friends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Judy Holliday and Maureen O'Hara. A photographer is a person who takes a Photograph using a Camera. Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10 1922 – June 22 1969 was an American actress and singer Judy Holliday (June 21 1921 – June 7 1965 was an American Academy - and Tony Award -winning Actress. Maureen O'Hara (born Maureen FitzSimons on 17 August 1920 in Ranelagh, County Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish film actress
Personal life
In 1974, the FBI raided the home of McDowall and seized the actor's collection of films and television series in the course of an investigation of movie piracy and copyright infringement. His collection consisted of 160 16 mm prints and over 1,000 videocassettes, at a time before the era of videotapes when there was no legal aftermarket for films (copying or selling prints obtained from studios without owning the copyright was illegal). McDowall had purchased Errol Flynn's home movies and the prints of his own directorial debut Tam Lin (1970) starring Ava Gardner, and transferred them all to tape for longer-lasting archival storage. Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn ( June 20, 1909 &ndash October 14, 1959) was an Australian Film Actor, most Tamas " Tam " Lin (also called Tamlane, Tamlin, Tam Lien, Tam-a-Line, Tam Lane, or True Thomas Ava Lavinia Gardner ( December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an Academy Award -nominated American actress McDowall was quite forthcoming about those who dealt with him: Rock Hudson, Dick Martin and Mel Tormé were just a few of the celebrities interested in his film reproductions. Rock Hudson (November 17 1925 &ndash October 2 1985 was an American Film and Television Actor, recognised as a romantic leading man during Dick Martin may refer to Dick Martin (artist, American illustrator particularly associated with the Land of Oz Dick Martin (comedian, co-host Melvin Howard Tormé ( September 13, 1925 &ndash June 5, 1999) nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician known as No charges were brought against McDowall.
Death
On October 3, 1998, McDowall died at his home in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles from Undifferentiated cancer at the age of 70. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) ``It was very peaceful,`` said Dennis Osborne, a screenwriter friend who had cared for the actor in his final months. ``It was just as he wanted it. It was exactly the way he planned. `` Though he was cremated through the Neptune Society, his ashes were not distributed in the Pacific Ocean as had been widely reported at the time.
The day after his death, his close friend Angela Lansbury, who'd worked with him over the years, paid tribute to him on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying that he was 'one of the most wonderful friends anybody could possibly have' and that she had 'lost a beloved friend'. Angela Brigid Lansbury, CBE (born October 16, 1925) is an English Golden Globe Award and Tony Award winning Actress [2]
One of his last public appearances occurred when he accompanied the actress Luise Rainer to the 70th Oscar ceremony. Luise Rainer (born January 12, 1910) is a two-time Academy Award -winning German Film Actress.
Work
Filmography
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Television
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Stage
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References
External links
- Roddy McDowall at the Internet Movie Database
- Roddy McDowall at the Internet Broadway Database
- xmoppet.org - tribute site with career and biographical information, image gallery, sound clips, links, articles, US TV guide, and a fan club with mailing list
- Roddy McDowall at glbtq.com
- Documents from the 1974 FBI Raid
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