Donald Wolfit
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- April 20, 1902
- Died
- February 17, 1968 (aged 65)
- Birthplace
- New Balderton, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
Biography
Donald Wolfit (born Donald Woolfitt; 20 April 1902 – 17 February 1968) was an English actor-manager, best known for touring productions of Shakespeare and his performances as King Lear. Born in New Balderton, Nottinghamshire, he made his London stage debut in 1924 and later joined the companies at the Old Vic and the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. After playing Hamlet at Stratford, he formed his own touring company in 1937, taking Shakespeare and other plays to audiences across Britain and abroad. His company continued performing during the Second World War, including lunchtime productions in London. Among the actors who worked with him were Harold Pinter and Brian Rix. Wolfit also appeared in films, including Svengali (1954), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Becket (1964). He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1950 and knighted in 1957 for his services to the theatre.
Known For
Filmography
Decline and Fall ...of a Birdwatcher
Movie · as Dr. Augustus Fagan
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Movie · as 'Macbeth'
The Sandwich Man
Movie · as Car Salesman
90° in the Shade
Movie · as Bažant (Auditor #1)
Life at the Top
Movie · as Abe Brown
BBC Play of the Month
TV · as Pastor Manders · 1 ep
Becket
Movie · as Bishop Folliot
Dr. Crippen
Movie · as R.D. Muir (as Sir Donald Wolfit)
Lawrence of Arabia
Movie · as General Archibald Murray
The Mark
Movie · as Clive
Ghost Squad
TV · 52 eps
The Hands of Orlac
Movie · as Professor Volchett
On Trial
TV · as Admiral Byng · 1 ep
The House of the Seven Hawks
Movie · as Inspector Van Der Stoor
The Rough and the Smooth
Movie · as Lord Drewell
The Angry Hills
Movie · as Dr. Stergion
Room at the Top
Movie · as Mr. Brown
Blood of the Vampire
Movie · as Doctor Callistratus
I Accuse!
Movie · as Gen. Mercier
The Master Builder
Movie · as Halvard Solness
The Traitor
Movie · as Colonel Price
Satellite in the Sky
Movie · as Prof. Merrity
The Man in the Road
Movie · as Prof. Cattrell
Guilty?
Movie · as Judge
Armchair Theatre
TV · as James Saward · 1 ep
A Prize of Gold
Movie · as Alfie Stratton
A Man on the Beach
Movie · as Carter
Lilli Palmer Theatre
TV · as Sergeant Buzfuz · 1 ep
Folio
TV · 1 ep
Svengali
Movie · as Svengali
Isn't Life Wonderful!
Movie · as Willie, the boy's uncle
The Pickwick Papers
Movie · as Sergeant Buzfuz
The Ringer
Movie · as Dr. Lomond
England's Shakespeare
Movie · as Hamlet
The Claydon Treasure Mystery
Movie · as Executive
Calling the Tune
Movie · as Dick Finlay
Hyde Park Corner
Movie · as George Francis Howard
Drake of England
Movie · as Thomas Doughty
Late Extra
Movie · as Inspector Greville
The Silent Passenger
Movie · as Henry Camberley
Checkmate
Movie · as Jack Barton
Death at Broadcasting House
Movie · as Sydney Parsons
Inasmuch...
Movie · as St. Francis
Down River
Movie