Born: November 6, 1923 – Died: October 13, 1991
Donald Houston, a sandy-haired Welsh actor, made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry with his captivating performances. Born in Tonypandy, Wales, UK, Houston's journey began far from the glitz of Hollywood.
Early Life and Career
Donald Houston's early life was shaped by the backdrop of his Welsh hometown. His educational background remains largely uncharted, but his experiences growing up in Wales undoubtedly played a role in his acting career. Houston served in the Royal Air Force during World War II as a rear gunner and radio officer, an experience that added depth to his acting in war movies.
Houston's entry into the film industry was marked by his roles in "The Blue Lagoon" (1949) with Jean Simmons and "A Run for Your Money" (1949) with Sir Alec Guinness. These films not only launched his career but also established him as a talented actor. His portrayal of authority figures, often in military roles, resonated with audiences, as seen in "Battle Hell" (1957) and "The Longest Day" (1962).
Throughout his career, Houston was known for his versatility, seamlessly transitioning from bawdy comedies to melodramas. His notable role in "Clash of the Titans" (1981) as Acrisius further cemented his status in the industry.
Personal Life and Legacy:
Donald Houston's personal life, including his marriage to Brenda Hogan and his interests outside of acting, remained private. His career spanned several decades, during which he demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters. This ability, coupled with his commanding screen presence, earned him a lasting place in the annals of cinema. Donald Houston passed away in Coimbra, Portugal, but his legacy lives on, not just as an actor but as a symbol of the enduring spirit of Welsh talent in the global film industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Brief (TV Series) | Herr Geiser |
| 1983 | Partners in Crime (TV Mini Series) | Boris |
| 1983 | Jemima Shore Investigates (TV Series) | Colonel Curtis |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Acrisius |
| 1980 | *The Sea Wolves* | Hilliard |
| 1979 | Border Country (TV Series) | Twmi |
| 1979 | Heyday in the Blood (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1979 | The Boy Merlin (TV Series) | Dafydd |
| 1978 | Bernie (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1978 | Return of the Saint (TV Series) | Commander Denning |
| 1978 | Shadows (TV Series) | Dafydd |
| 1976 | Voyage of the Damned | Dr. Glauner |
| 1973 | The Protectors (TV Series) | Lockier |
| 1973 | Tales That Witness Madness | Sam (segment "Mr. Tiger") |
| 1973 | Moonbase 3 (TV Series) | Dr. David Caulder |
| 1973 | Justice (TV Series) | Fielding |
| 1973 | The Adventurer (TV Series) | Jan de Groote |
| 1973 | Public Eye (TV Series) | Arthur Wellard |
| 1971 | Now, Take My Wife (TV Series) | Harry Love |
| 1971 | Jason King (TV Series) | Kenworthy |
| 1971 | Comedy Playhouse (TV Series) | Harry Love |
| 1971 | Paul Temple (TV Series) | Eric Margolis |
| 1971 | ITV Playhouse (TV Series) | Bill |
| 1970 | Man at the Top (TV Series) | George Devon |
| 1970 | My Lover, My Son | Robert | Francesca's husband |
| 1969 | ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV Series) | Gerald Tyler |
| 1969 | The Bushbaby | John Leeds |
| 1969 | Department S (TV Series) | John Burnham |
| 1968 | Where Eagles Dare | Christiansen |
| 1968 | The Champions (TV Series) | Richter |
| 1967 | Man in a Suitcase (TV Series) | George Masters |
| 1967 | The Fellows (TV Series) | Det. Insp. Chandler |
| 1967 | Trapped (TV Series) | Martin |
| 1964–1967 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | Lt. Col. Abel Winchip | Sgt. Hulme | Hunter ... |
| 1956–1967 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Psychoanalyst | David | Robert Hook ... |
| 1967 | The Viking Queen | Maelgan |
| 1964–1966 | ITV Sunday Night Drama (TV Series) | David | John Probert |
| 1965 | Out of the Unknown (TV Series) | Dr. Francis |
| 1965 | Secret Agent (TV Series) | Bill Vincent | Edmund Bierce |
| 1965 | Tibetan Story (Short) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1965 | A Study in Terror | Doctor Watson |
| 1965 | Gideon C.I.D. (TV Series) | Tony Erickson |
| 1964 | Love Story (TV Series) | David Manning |
| 1964 | 633 Squadron | Group Capt. Don Barrett |
| 1964 | Festival (TV Series) | The Onlooker |
| 1964 | Carry on Jack | Jonathan Howett |
| 1963 | Doctor in Distress | Maj. Tommy Ffrench |
| 1963 | Maniac | Henri |
| 1961–1963 | Drama 61-67 (TV Series) | Harry Blair | Hartley |
| 1962 | The Longest Day | RAF Pilot |
| 1962 | The 300 Spartans | Hydarnes |
| 1962 | BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) | Lavalette | Bobby Lowther |
| 1962 | Twice Round the Daffodils | John Rhodes |
| 1962 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | John Canty |
| 1962 | The Prince and the Pauper | John Canty |
| 1961 | Stryker of the Yard (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956–1961 | ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Rev. Phillip Mitchell | Jaris Kuyper |
| 1961 | The Mark | Austin |
| 1960 | Armchair Mystery Theatre (TV Series) | The husband |
| 1959 | Jessy (Short) | Teacher |
| 1959 | Alan Melville Takes You from A-Z (TV Series) | Actor, 'Under Milk Wood' |
| 1959 | BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) | Colonel Caisar von Kahr | Elis Owen |
| 1959 | Breakout | Capt. Roger Byfold |
| 1958 | Room at the Top | Charles Soames |
| 1958 | The Man Upstairs | Sanderson |
| 1958 | A Question of Infidelity | Mr. Jacobus |
| 1958 | September Tide (TV Movie) | Evan Davies |
| 1957 | The Surgeon's Knife | Dr. Alex Waring |
| 1957 | Under Milk Wood (TV Movie) | Onlooker |
| 1957 | Battle Hell | Lt Weston RN |
| 1957 | The Girl in the Picture | Jon Deering |
| 1956 | Return to the Desert | The Officer |
| 1956 | Assignment Foreign Legion (TV Series) | Zub Rowski |
| 1956 | Find the Lady | Bill |
| 1956 | Lilli Palmer Theatre (TV Series) | George |
| 1956 | Doublecross | Albert Pascoe |
| 1956 | No Man's Land (TV Movie) | Major Karl von Seydler |
| 1955 | The Flaw | John Millway |
| 1954 | Wishing Well | John |
| 1954 | Devil's Harbor | Michael Mallard |
| 1954 | Doctor in the House | Taffy Evans |
| 1953 | Small Town Story | Tony Warren |
| 1953 | The Long Rope | Tom Penney |
| 1953 | Paratrooper | Taffy |
| 1953 | Little Red Monkey (TV Movie) | Colin Currie |
| 1952 | Point of No Return (Short) | Jack |
| 1952 | Crow Hollow | Robert |
| 1952 | My Death Is a Mockery | John Bradley |
| 1950 | Dance Hall | Phil |
| 1949 | A Run for Your Money | Dai |
| 1949 | Choir Practice (TV Movie) | Cliff Lloyd |
| 1949 | The Blue Lagoon | Michael Reynolds |
| 1948 | Chain Male (TV Movie) | Tony Clefton-Britt |
General:
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