Born: August 27, 1890 – Died: February 28, 1973
Cecil Kellaway, a distinguished actor whose career spanned continents and decades, was born in Cape Town, South Africa. His journey in the entertainment industry began far from Hollywood, with his roots in Australian live theatre where he excelled as an actor, author, and director. His family, including his sibling Alec Kellaway, played a significant role in shaping his early life.
Early Life and Career
Kellaway's artistic journey took a pivotal turn when he ventured to Hollywood in the 1930s. Initially, he found himself typecast in minor gangster roles, leading to a brief return to Australia. However, his fortunes changed when director William Wyler offered him a role in "Wuthering Heights" (1939). This marked the beginning of a flourishing career in Hollywood, where he became known for his charming and often whimsical characters.
Kellaway's first significant success in Hollywood came with "Wuthering Heights," where his performance was widely acclaimed. He became a sought-after actor for roles that required a blend of warmth, wit, and a certain twinkling charm. His portrayal of Monsignor Ryan in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967) and Dr. William Chumley in "Harvey" (1950) are among his most memorable roles.
Throughout his career, Kellaway received numerous accolade)s, including two Oscar nominations, underscoring his talent and versatility as an actor. He was not just an actor but also contributed as a writer and soundtrack artist, showcasing his diverse artistic skills.
In his personal life, Kellaway was married to Doreen Elizabeth Joubert, and they had two children, including Bryan Kellaway. His life off-screen was as rich and fulfilling as his professional career, marked by his warmth and genuine personality.
Cecil Kellaway's legacy in Hollywood is marked by his ability to bring depth and charm to every character he played. His career, spanning from character roles in Australian theatre to memorable performances in Hollywood, showcases his enduring impact on the entertainment industry. He remains an iconic figure, remembered for his unique contributions and the distinctive characters he brought to life on screen.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Call Holme (TV Movie) | Lord Basil Hyde-Smith |
| 1970 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Old Man Casey | Old Al Casey |
| 1970 | Getting Straight | Dr. Kasper |
| 1970 | Nanny and the Professor (TV Series) | Judge Rousch |
| 1969 | The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (TV Series) | Admiral Snedaker |
| 1968 | That Girl (TV Series) | Andrew Washington |
| 1967 | Fitzwilly | Buckmaster |
| 1967 | Guess Who's Coming to Dinner | Monsignor Ryan |
| 1967 | Kismet (TV Movie) | Omar |
| 1967 | The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin | Mr. Pemberton |
| 1966 | Spinout | Bernard Ranley |
| 1965 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) | Uncle Walter |
| 1965 | Valentine's Day (TV Series) | Dawson Farrow |
| 1964 | The Confession | The Bishop |
| 1964 | Bewitched (TV Series) | Santa Claus |
| 1964 | Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte | Harry Willis |
| 1964 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Brother Flaherty |
| 1964 | The Greatest Show on Earth (TV Series) | Doc Browne |
| 1964 | My Favorite Martian (TV Series) | Wilbur Canfield |
| 1963 | The Cardinal | Monsignor Monaghan |
| 1962–1963 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Grandpa Murdock | Noah Miggs |
| 1960–1963 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Burgess | Jeremy Wickwire |
| 1962 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (TV Series) | Carleton Jones |
| 1962 | Zotz! | Dean Joshua Updike |
| 1962 | Follow the Sun (TV Series) | Wilbur Martin |
| 1962 | The New Breed (TV Series) | Mr. Weltschmerz |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Harry Burton Wilkins |
| 1961 | The Donna Reed Show (TV Series) | Algerion O'Hara |
| 1960–1961 | Adventures in Paradise (TV Series) | Hector | Charlie Bassett | Martin Wormer |
| 1961 | Tammy Tell Me True | Captain Joe |
| 1961 | Francis of Assisi | Cardinal Hugolino |
| 1961 | Rawhide (TV Series) | MacKay |
| 1961 | Harrigan and Son (TV Series) | Silas Marner |
| 1960 | Hennesey (TV Series) | Admiral Robertson - Chaplain |
| 1960 | The Private Lives of Adam and Eve | Doc Bayles |
| 1959 | Destination Space (TV Movie) | Dr. A.A. Andrews |
| 1959 | Johnny Ringo (TV Series) | Cyrus Hampton |
| 1958–1959 | Whirlybirds (TV Series) | Cecil | Padre |
| 1959 | The Shaggy Dog | Professor Plumcutt |
| 1959 | The Millionaire (TV Series) | Father Gilhooley |
| 1959 | The Ann Sothern Show (TV Series) | Sean O'Connor | Uncle Sean |
| 1959 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | Darrell Metcalf |
| 1955–1958 | Studio One (TV Series) | Mick Rafferty | Jason |
| 1958 | *The Proud Rebel* | Dr. Enos Davis (Quaker) |
| 1958 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Dr. Parkes |
| 1958 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1958 | Studio 57 (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Johnny Trouble | Tom McKay |
| 1956–1957 | Crossroads (TV Series) | Reverand Brown | Minister |
| 1957 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Pop Smith |
| 1956 | The Toy Tiger | James Fusenot |
| 1955 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Grandpa | Timothy Hanrahan |
| 1955 | The Danny Thomas Show (TV Series) | Frank Smythe | Mr. Kirby |
| 1955 | Female on the Beach | Osbert Sorenson |
| 1954–1955 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Mr. Colley | Druggist | Samuel Cross |
| 1955 | Interrupted Melody | Bill Lawrence |
| 1955 | The Prodigal | Governor |
| 1953 | Paris Model | Patrick J. 'P.J.' Sullivan |
| 1952–1953 | Cavalcade of America (TV Series) | Sam Mulford |
| 1953 | Cruisin' Down the River | Thadeus Jackson |
| 1953 | The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms | Prof. Thurgood Elson |
| 1953 | Young Bess | Mr. Parry |
| 1952 | My Wife's Best Friend | Rev. Thomas Chamberlain |
| 1952 | Just Across the Street | Pop Smith |
| 1952 | Thunder in the East | Dr. Willoughby |
| 1951 | The Highwayman | Lord Herbert |
| 1951 | Half Angel | Harry Gilpin |
| 1951 | Francis Goes to the Races | Colonel Travers |
| 1950 | The Magnavox Theater (TV Series) | Jonathan Huntoon Smith |
| 1950 | Kim | Hurree Chunder |
| 1950 | Harvey | Dr. William Chumley |
| 1950 | Katie Did It | Nathaniel B. Wakeley VI |
| 1950 | The Reformer and the Redhead | Dr. Kevin G. Maguire |
| 1949 | Down to the Sea in Ships | Slush Tubbs |
| 1948 | Portrait of Jennie | Matthews |
| 1948 | The Decision of Christopher Blake | Judge Alexander Adamson |
| 1948 | Joan of Arc | Jean Le Maistre - Inquisitor of Rouen |
| 1948 | The Luck of the Irish | Horace |
| 1947 | Always Together | Jonathan Turner |
| 1947 | *Unconquered* | Jeremy Love |
| 1947 | Variety Girl | Cecil Kellaway |
| 1946 | The Cockeyed Miracle | Tom Carter |
| 1946 | Monsieur Beaucaire | Count D'Armand |
| 1946 | Easy to Wed | J.B. Allenbury |
| 1946 | The Postman Always Rings Twice | Nick Smith |
| 1945 | Kitty | Thomas Gainsborough |
| 1945 | Love Letters | Mac |
| 1944 | Practically Yours | Marvin P. Meglin |
| 1944 | And Now Tomorrow | Doctor Weeks |
| 1944 | Mrs. Parkington | Edward, Prince of Wales |
| 1944 | Frenchman's Creek | William |
| 1944 | Showboat Serenade (Short) | Colonel Jordan |
| 1943 | The Good Fellows | Jim Hilton |
| 1943 | It Ain't Hay | King O'Hara |
| 1943 | The Crystal Ball | Pop Tibbets |
| 1943 | Forever and a Day | Dinner Guest |
| 1943 | Freedom Comes High (Short) | Ellen's Father |
| 1942 | Star Spangled Rhythm | Cecil Kellaway (uncredited) |
| 1942 | My Heart Belongs to Daddy | Alfred Fortescue |
| 1942 | I Married a Witch | Daniel |
| 1942 | Are Husbands Necessary? | Dr. Buell |
| 1942 | Night in New Orleans | Dan Odell |
| 1942 | Small Town Deb | Henry Randall |
| 1942 | Take a Letter, Darling | Uncle George |
| 1942 | The Lady Has Plans | Peter Miles |
| 1941 | Bahama Passage | Captain Jack Risingwell |
| 1941 | New York Town | Shipboard Host |
| 1941 | Birth of the Blues | Granet |
| 1941 | Appointment for Love | O'Leary |
| 1941 | The Night of January 16th | Oscar - the Drunk |
| 1941 | Burma Convoy | Angus McBragel |
| 1941 | A Very Young Lady | Professor Starkweather |
| 1941 | West Point Widow | Dr. Spencer |
| 1940 | Lady with Red Hair | Mr. Chapman |
| 1940 | South of Suez | Henry Putnam |
| 1940 | The Letter | Prescott |
| 1940 | Mexican Spitfire Out West | Mr. Chumley |
| 1940 | Diamond Frontier | Noah |
| 1940 | The Mummy's Hand | Mr. Solvani (as Cecil Kelloway) |
| 1940 | Pop Always Pays | (scenes deleted) |
| 1940 | Phantom Raiders | Franklin Morris |
| 1940 | Brother Orchid | Brother Goodwin |
| 1940 | The House of the Seven Gables | Philip Barton |
| 1940 | Adventure in Diamonds | Emerson |
| 1940 | The Invisible Man Returns | Scotland Yard Inspector Sampson |
| 1939 | Mexican Spitfire | Mr. Chumley |
| 1939 | We Are Not Alone | Judge |
| 1939 | Intermezzo | Charles Moler |
| 1939 | The Under-Pup | Mr. Wendelhares (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Man About Town | Headwaiter (uncredited) |
| 1939 | The Sun Never Sets | Colonial Official |
| 1939 | Mr. Chedworth Steps Out | George Chedworth |
| 1939 | *Wuthering Heights* | Earnshaw |
| 1939 | Gunga Din | Mr. Stebbins (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Annabel Takes a Tour | Strothers, River-Clyde's Publisher (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Tarnished Angel | Reginald 'Reggie' Roland |
| 1938 | Smashing the Rackets | Barrett (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Blond Cheat | Rufus Trent |
| 1938 | Law of the Underworld | Phillips - Gene's Butler (uncredited) |
| 1938 | This Marriage Business | Police Chief Hardy |
| 1938 | Maid's Night Out | Geoffrey |
| 1938 | Night Spot | Willard Lorryweather |
| 1938 | Double Danger | Fentriss - aka Gilhooley |
| 1938 | Everybody's Doing It | Mr. Beyers |
| 1937 | Wise Girl | Fletcher's Butler (unconfirmed) |
| 1937 | It Isn't Done | Hubert Blaydon |
| 1933 | The Hayseeds | Dad Hayseed |
| 1918 | Bond and Word | Unknown |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
