Born: March 1, 1910 – Died: July 29, 1983
David Niven, born to the French Lady Henrietta de Gacher and British Lieutenant William Graham Niven in Belgravia, London, was a beacon of charm and wit in the entertainment industry. After losing his father in war at a young age, Niven had a challenging childhood, often shifting schools before attending Sandhurst Military Academy. His journey took him from soldiering in Malta to various jobs in Canada, eventually leading him to Hollywood in 1934.
Early Life and Career
Niven's early life was a tapestry of diverse experiences. From military academy to odd jobs in Canada, he finally found his calling in acting, beginning with small roles and extras in California. His first significant role came before the outbreak of the Second World War, after which he served in the British army, even participating in Dunkirk and earning a promotion to colonel.
Niven's career in Hollywood flourished post-war. He excelled in a variety of roles, showcasing his versatility. A major breakthrough was his role in "Separate Tables" (1958), for which he won an Oscar for Best Actor. He is also celebrated for his portrayal of 'Phileas Fogg' in Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Other notable works include "The Pink Panther" (1963), "The Guns of Navarone" (1961), and Death on the Nile (1978).
Apart from acting, Niven was a producer and a writer, further showcasing his multifaceted talent. He was married twice, first to Primula Rollo and then to Hjordis Genberg, with whom he had two children. Niven was also known for his philanthropic efforts, including contributing part of his inheritance to medical research.
David Niven's legacy in Hollywood is marked by his distinguished presence, effortless charm, and his ability to captivate audiences across genres. He is remembered as an icon for his contributions to the film industry and his remarkable ability to bring characters to life.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Curse of the Pink Panther | Sir Charles Litton |
| 1983 | Better Late Than Never | Nick Cartland |
| 1982 | Trail of the Pink Panther | Sir Charles Litton |
| 1980 | *The Sea Wolves* | Colonel W. H. Grice |
| 1980 | Rough Cut | Chief Insp. Cyril Willis |
| 1980 | A Man Called Intrepid | William Stephenson |
| 1980 | A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square | Ivan |
| 1979 | A Man Called Intrepid (TV Mini Series) | Sir William Stephenson |
| 1979 | *Escape To Athena* | Professor Blake |
| 1978 | *Death on the Nile* | Colonel Race |
| 1977 | Candleshoe | Priory |
| 1976 | Murder By Death | Dick Charleston |
| 1976 | No Deposit, No Return | J.W. Osborne |
| 1975 | The Remarkable Rocket (TV Movie) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1975 | Paper Tiger | 'Major' Bradbury |
| 1974 | The Canterville Ghost (TV Movie) | The Ghost - Sir Simon de Canterville |
| 1974 | Old Dracula | Count Dracula |
| 1972 | King, Queen, Knave | Charles Dreyer |
| 1971 | The Statue | Alex Bolt |
| 1969 | The Brain | Colonel Carol Matthews |
| 1969 | The Extraordinary Seaman | Lt. Commander Finchhaven, R.N. |
| 1968 | Before Winter Comes | Major Burnside |
| 1968 | The Impossible Years | Jonathan Kingsley |
| 1968 | Prudence and the Pill | Gerald Hardcastle |
| 1967 | Casino Royale | Sir James Bond |
| 1966 | Eye of the Devil | Philippe de Montfaucon |
| 1965 | Where the Spies Are | Dr. Jason Love |
| 1965 | Lady L | Lord Dicky Lendale |
| 1964–1965 | The Rogues (TV Series) | Alec Fleming |
| 1964 | Bedtime Story | Lawrence Jameson |
| 1963 | The Pink Panther | Sir Charles Litton |
| 1963 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Harvey Cleeve (as David Niven the World's Greatest Juggler) |
| 1963 | 55 Days at Peking | Sir Arthur Robertson |
| 1962 | Conquered City | Maj. Peter Whitfield |
| 1962 | Guns of Darkness | Tom Jordan |
| 1962 | The Road to Hong Kong | Lama Who Remembers Lady Chatterley's Lover (uncredited) |
| 1961 | The Best of Enemies | Maj. Richardson |
| 1961 | The Guns of Navarone | Cpl. John Anthony Miller |
| 1960 | Please Don't Eat the Daisies | Laurence Mackay |
| 1960 | The DuPont Show with June Allyson (TV Series) | Marcus Dodds |
| 1959 | Happy Anniversary | Chris Walters |
| 1959 | Ask Any Girl | Miles Doughton |
| 1957–1959 | Zane Grey Theatre (TV Series) | Cameo | Milo Brant | Allen Raikes |
| 1958 | Separate Tables | Major Angus Pollock |
| 1957–1958 | Goodyear Theatre (TV Series) | Charles Enright | 'Jeffrey Collins' | Paul Evans ... |
| 1957–1958 | Alcoa Theatre (TV Series) | Robert Medhill | Ray Crittenden | Paul Martel ... |
| 1958 | Bonjour Tristesse | Raymond |
| 1957 | *My Man Godfrey* | Godfrey Smith |
| 1957 | Mr. Adams and Eve (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | The Little Hut | Henry Brittingham-Brett |
| 1957 | Oh, Men! Oh, Women! | Dr. Alan Coles |
| 1956 | Around the World in 80 Days | Phileas Fogg |
| 1956 | The Silken Affair | Roger Tweakham |
| 1952–1956 | Four Star Playhouse (TV Series) | Lee | Ted | Jim Kenyon ... |
| 1956 | The Birds and the Bees | Colonel Patrick Henry Harris |
| 1956 | The Star and the Story (TV Series) | Johnny |
| 1955 | The King's Thief | James - Duke of Brampton |
| 1954 | Court Martial | Carrington |
| 1954 | Tonight's the Night | Jasper O'Leary |
| 1954 | The Love Lottery | Rex Allerton |
| 1953 | The Moon Is Blue | David Slater |
| 1952–1953 | Hollywood Opening Night (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Sheffield |
| 1952 | Celanese Theatre (TV Series) | Alan Squier |
| 1952 | Chesterfield Presents (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Betty Crocker Star Matinee (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | The Lady Says No | Bill Shelby |
| 1951 | Island Rescue | Maj. Valentine Moreland |
| 1951 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Soldiers Three | Captain Pindenny |
| 1951 | Happy Go Lovely | B.G. Bruno |
| 1950 | Nash Airflyte Theatre (TV Series) | Arthur Carstairs |
| 1950 | The Toast of New Orleans | Jacques Riboudeaux |
| 1949 | Breakdowns of 1949 (Short) | Unknown |
| 1949 | A Kiss for Corliss | Kenneth Marquis |
| 1949 | The Fighting Pimpernel | Sir Percy Blakeney | The Scarlet Pimpernel |
| 1949 | A Kiss in the Dark | Eric Phillips |
| 1948 | Enchantment | General Sir Roland Dane |
| 1948 | Bonnie Prince Charlie | Prince Charles Edward Stuart |
| 1947 | The Bishop's Wife | Henry Brougham |
| 1947 | The Other Love | Dr. Anthony Stanton |
| 1946 | Magnificent Doll | Aaron Burr |
| 1946 | The Perfect Marriage | Dale Williams |
| 1946 | A Matter of Life and Death | Peter Carter |
| 1944 | The Way Ahead | Lt. Jim Perry |
| 1942 | Spitfire | Geoffrey Crisp |
| 1939 | Raffles | Raffles |
| 1939 | Eternally Yours | Tony aka The Great Arturo |
| 1939 | The Real Glory | Lt. Terence McCool |
| 1939 | Bachelor Mother | David Merlin |
| 1939 | *Wuthering Heights* | Edgar |
| 1938 | The Dawn Patrol | Scott |
| 1938 | Three Blind Mice | Steve Harrington |
| 1938 | Four Men and a Prayer | Christopher Leigh |
| 1938 | Bluebeard's Eighth Wife | Albert De Regnier |
| 1937 | Dinner at the Ritz | Paul de Brack |
| 1937 | The Prisoner of Zenda | Fritz von Tarlenheim |
| 1937 | We Have Our Moments | Joe Gilling |
| 1936 | Beloved Enemy | Gerald Preston |
| 1936 | The Charge of the Light Brigade | Capt. Randall |
| 1936 | Thank You, Jeeves! | Bertie Wooster |
| 1936 | Dodsworth | Captain Lockert |
| 1936 | Palm Springs | George Britell |
| 1936 | Rose-Marie | Teddy (as David Nivens) |
| 1935 | Splendor | Clancey Lorrimore |
| 1935 | *Mutiny on the Bounty* | Able-Bodied Seaman (uncredited) |
| 1935 | A Feather in Her Hat | Leo Cartwright |
| 1935 | Barbary Coast | Cockney Sailor Thrown Out of Saloon (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Without Regret | Bill Gage |
| 1934 | Cleopatra | Slave (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Eyes of Fate | Man at Race Course (uncredited) |
| 1932 | There Goes the Bride | Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) |
General:
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