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Born: March 28, 1921 – Died: May 8, 1999
Sir Dirk Bogarde, an esteemed British actor and writer, was born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde in the London suburb of Hampstead. His father, Ulric van den Bogaerde, was the art editor of "The Times" newspaper, and his mother, actress Margaret Niven, descended from a line of actors and painters. Dirk was the eldest of three children, his siblings being Elizabeth and Gareth. His father's Flemish roots and his mother's Scottish descent contributed to his unique heritage.
Early Life and Career
Dirk's upbringing in Sussex under the care of his sister Elizabeth and a nanny laid the foundation for a diverse educational background. He attended Allen Glen's school in Glasgow and London's University College School before pursuing commercial art at Chelsea Polytechnic. Despite his father's aspirations for him to join "The Times" as an art critic, Dirk's interests veered towards the stage. He dropped out of his art course to study drama, although his early acting prospects were modest.
Bogarde's career in the arts began as a commercial artist and scene designer in the 1930s. His acting journey took off with the Amersham Repertory Company, leading to his stage debut in 1939 at London's Q Theatre. His first significant role came shortly after in the West End play "Cornelius." Dirk made his film debut as an uncredited extra in a pre-war comedy, eventually ascending to more prominent roles.
His rise to stardom was marked by his performance in "The Servant" (1963), for which he received a Best Actor Award from the British Academy of Film & television Arts. This success was followed by another BAFTA for "Darling" (1965). His roles in "Victim" (1961), "Accident" (1967), and "Death in Venice" (1971) further solidified his status as a versatile and compelling actor.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dirk's personal life was equally fascinating. He never married or had children. His long-standing relationship with his manager Tony Forwood was a significant part of his life. Dirk was also known for his interest in voluntary euthanasia, becoming Vice President of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.
Dirk Bogarde's influence on the entertainment industry is profound. His unique ability to portray complex characters, coupled with his distinctive screen presence, made him a symbol of British cinema in the post-war era. His legacy continues to inspire actors and filmmakers, marking him as an icon in the world of acting.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Daddy Nostalgia | Daddy |
| 1987 | Screen Two (TV Series) | James Marriner |
| 1986 | May We Borrow Your Husband? (TV Movie) | William Harris |
| 1981 | The Patricia Neal Story (TV Movie) | Roald Dahl |
| 1978 | Despair | Herman |
| 1977 | *A Bridge Too Far* | Lt .Gen. Browning |
| 1977 | Providence | Claude Langham |
| 1975 | The Executioner | Alan Curtis |
| 1974 | The Night Porter | Max [Maximilian Theo Aldorfer] |
| 1973 | The Serpent | Philip Boyle |
| 1971 | Death in Venice | Gustav von Aschenbach |
| 1970 | Upon This Rock (TV Movie) | Bonnie Prince Charlie |
| 1969 | The Damned | Friedrich Bruckmann |
| 1969 | Justine | Pursewarden |
| 1969 | Oh! What a Lovely War | Stephen |
| 1968 | The Fixer | Bibikov |
| 1968 | Sebastian | Sebastian |
| 1967 | Our Mother's House | Charlie Hook |
| 1967 | Accident | Stephen |
| 1966 | Blithe Spirit (TV Movie) | Charles Condomine |
| 1966 | Modesty Blaise | Gabriel |
| 1965 | Darling | Robert Gold |
| 1965 | McGuire, Go Home! | Maj. McGuire |
| 1964 | King & Country | Captain Hargreaves |
| 1964 | Little Moon of Alban (TV Movie) | Kenneth Boyd |
| 1964 | Agent 8 3/4 | Nicholas Whistler |
| 1963 | The Servant | Barrett |
| 1963 | Doctor in Distress | Dr. Simon Sparrow |
| 1963 | I Could Go on Singing | David Donne |
| 1963 | The Mind Benders | Dr. Harry Longman |
| 1962 | We Joined the Navy | Dr. Simon Sparrow (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Password Is Courage | Sergeant-Major Charles Coward |
| 1962 | Damn the Defiant! | Lieut. Scott-Padget |
| 1961 | Victim | Melville Farr |
| 1961 | The Singer Not the Song | Anacleto Comachi |
| 1960 | Song Without End | Franz Liszt |
| 1960 | The Angel Wore Red | Arturo Carrera |
| 1959 | Libel | Sir Mark Loddon | Frank Welney | Number Fifteen |
| 1958 | The Doctor's Dilemma | Louis Dubedat |
| 1958 | The Wind Cannot Read | Flight Lieutenant Michael Quinn |
| 1958 | A Tale of Two Cities | Sydney Carton |
| 1957 | Campbell's Kingdom | Bruce Campbell |
| 1957 | Doctor at Large | Dr. Simon Sparrow |
| 1957 | Time Without Pity | Court Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1957 | Night Ambush | Major Patrick Leigh Fermor D.S.O. O.B.E. also known to the Cretans and the German Secret Police as PHILEDEM |
| 1956 | The Spanish Gardener | Jose Santero |
| 1955 | Cast a Dark Shadow | Edward Bare |
| 1955 | Doctor at Sea | Dr. Simon Sparrow |
| 1955 | Simba | Alan Howard |
| 1954 | The Sea Shall Not Have Them | Flight Sgt. MacKay |
| 1954 | Cocktails in the Kitchen | Tony |
| 1954 | The Sleeping Tiger | Frank Clemmons |
| 1954 | Doctor in the House | Simon Sparrow |
| 1954 | They Who Dare | Lieut. Graham |
| 1953 | Desperate Moment | Simon Van Halder |
| 1953 | Raiders in the Sky | Tim Mason |
| 1952 | The Gentle Gunman | Matt Sullivan |
| 1952 | Penny Princess | Tony Craig |
| 1952 | The Stranger in Between | Chris Lloyd |
| 1951 | Blackmailed | Stephen Mundy |
| 1950 | Five Angles on Murder | R.W. (Bob) Baker |
| 1950 | So Long at the Fair | George Hathaway |
| 1950 | The Blue Lamp | Tom Riley |
| 1949 | Boys in Brown | Alfie Rawlings |
| 1949 | Dear Mr. Prohack | Charles Prohack |
| 1949 | Maniacs on Wheels | Bill Fox |
| 1948 | Quartet | George Bland (segment "The Alien Corn") |
| 1948 | Sin of Esther Waters | William Latch |
| 1947 | Dancing with Crime | Policeman (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Power Without Glory (TV Movie) | Cliff |
| 1947 | Rope (TV Movie) | Charles Granillo |
| 1939 | Come on George! | Extra (uncredited) |