Donald Wolfit
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
BBC Play of the Month
Pastor Manders
1965
Film
Lawrence of Arabia
General Archibald Murray
1962
Series
Folio
1955
Series
Ghost Squad
1961
Series
Lilli Palmer Theatre
Sergeant Buzfuz
1955
Film
Room at the Top
Mr. Brown
1958
Series
On Trial
Admiral Byng
1960
Film
The Charge of the Light Brigade
'Macbeth'
1968
Film
Becket
Bishop Folliot
1964
Series
Armchair Theatre
James Saward
1956
Film
A Man on the Beach
Carter
1955
Film
The Angry Hills
Dr. Stergion
1959
Film
Blood of the Vampire
Doctor Callistratus
1958
Film
The Hands of Orlac
Professor Volchett
1960
Film
I Accuse!
Gen. Mercier
1958
Film
A Prize of Gold
Alfie Stratton
1955
Film
The House of the Seven Hawks
Inspector Van Der Stoor
1959
Inasmuch...
St. Francis
1934
Film
Death at Broadcasting House
Sydney Parsons
1934
Film
Life at the Top
Abe Brown
1965
Film
Svengali
Svengali
1954
Film
The Traitor
Colonel Price
1957
Film
The Rough and the Smooth
Lord Drewell
1959
Film
90° in the Shade
Bažant (Auditor #1)
1965
Film
Satellite in the Sky
Prof. Merrity
1956
Film
The Sandwich Man
Car Salesman
1966
Film
The Ringer
Dr. Lomond
1952
Film
The Mark
Clive
1961
Film
The Pickwick Papers
Sergeant Buzfuz
1952
Film
Isn't Life Wonderful!
Willie, the boy's uncle
1953
Film
Hyde Park Corner
George Francis Howard
1935
Film
Calling the Tune
Dick Finlay
1936
Film
Decline and Fall ...of a Birdwatcher
Dr. Augustus Fagan
1968
Film
Drake of England
Thomas Doughty
1935
The Claydon Treasure Mystery
Executive
1938
Film
Guilty?
Judge
1956
Film
The Man in the Road
Prof. Cattrell
1956
Film
Down River
1931
Film
Checkmate
Jack Barton
1935
England's Shakespeare
Hamlet
1939
Film
Dr. Crippen
R.D. Muir (as Sir Donald Wolfit)
1963
Film
The Silent Passenger
Henry Camberley
1935
Film
The Master Builder
Halvard Solness
1958
Film
Late Extra
Inspector Greville
1935