Born: March 5, 1894 – Died: October 31, 1963
Henry Daniell, one of Hollywood's iconic screen villains, was born Charles Henry Pywell Daniell on March 5, 1894, in London, England. His parents, Elinor Mary and Henry Pyweh Daniell, played influential roles in his upbringing. Despite starting his theatrical career during World War I, Daniell's rise to prominence was marked by his extraordinary talent and versatility as an actor. Known for his lean physique and sardonic features, Daniell excelled in portraying icy aristocrats and manipulating evil masterminds in period dramas. His notable contributions to the entertainment industry include unforgettable performances in "The Philadelphia Story" and "The Great Dictator." With an exceptional career spanning over four decades, Henry Daniell remains a revered figure in film history.
Early Life and Career
Henry Daniell's career in acting began during World War I, and he made his professional debut on the West End stage before eventually making his way to the United States in 1921.
Daniell's first major successful role on Broadway was as Prince Charles de Vaucluse in "Claire de Lune," which received critical acclaim. This early success paved the way for his career in both stage and screen productions.
His role in "The Philadelphia Story" and "The Great Dictator" further cemented Daniell's reputation as a talented actor, with audiences recognizing his exceptional talent for portraying villains and complex characters.
Daniell's performances in movies like "The Body Snatcher" and "The Woman in Green" showcased his range and earned him praise.
In terms of his personal life, Henry Daniell was married, although he did not have any children.
Daniell was known for his dedication to his craft and the impact he made in Hollywood. His unique ability to bring sinister and complex characters to life made him an icon in the entertainment industry. Even after his passing on October 31, 1963, at the age of 69, Henry Daniell's contributions to film and theater continue to be celebrated.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | My Fair Lady | Ambassador (uncredited) |
| 1962 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Silas Hay | Gideon Harte |
| 1962 | Combat! (TV Series) | Minister |
| 1962 | Mutiny on the Bounty | Court-martial judge (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Chapman Report | Dr. Jonas |
| 1962 | Five Weeks in a Balloon | Sheik Ageiba |
| 1962 | The Notorious Landlady | Stranger |
| 1961 | The Comancheros | Gireaux |
| 1960–1961 | Thriller (TV Series) | Vicar John Weatherford | Pierre Radin | Count Alexander Cagliostro ... |
| 1961 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea | Dr. Zucco |
| 1961 | The Law and Mr. Jones (TV Series) | Isaac Beckett |
| 1961 | Madison Avenue | Stipe |
| 1961 | The Islanders (TV Series) | Jarden |
| 1960 | Shirley Temple's Storybook (TV Series) | Sir Oliver |
| 1960 | Peter Gunn (TV Series) | Arthur Copeland |
| 1960 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | Sir Alexander Drew | Mr. Morton W. Snipple |
| 1960 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Col. Townes | Colonel Townes |
| 1959 | Markham (TV Series) | Max Bozman |
| 1959 | Startime (TV Series) | Uncle Henri |
| 1959 | Riverboat (TV Series) | Graham |
| 1959 | Maverick (TV Series) | Rene St. Cloud |
| 1959 | Lux Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957–1959 | The Californians (TV Series) | James King | Shaffton | Dr. Harold Rodman |
| 1959 | The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake | Dr. Emil Zurich |
| 1956–1959 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Lionel Croy | Hubbel |
| 1958 | From the Earth to the Moon | Morgana |
| 1958 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) | Belloc |
| 1958 | Alcoa Theatre (TV Series) | Judson |
| 1952–1958 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | The Inspector |
| 1957 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Earl of Rintoul |
| 1957 | Witness for the Prosecution | Mayhew |
| 1957 | The Story of Mankind | Pierre Cauchon |
| 1957 | Les Girls | Judge |
| 1957 | The Sun Also Rises | Doctor |
| 1954–1957 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Count Maverin |
| 1956–1957 | The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial (TV Series) | Van Buren | King Charles | Clark |
| 1957 | Mister Cory | Mr. Earnshaw |
| 1956 | Lust for Life | Theodorus Van Gogh |
| 1956 | Telephone Time (TV Series) | Von Feuerbach |
| 1956 | The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit | Bill Ogden |
| 1956 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) | Edward Moulton-Barrett |
| 1956 | Diane | Gondi |
| 1955 | TV Reader's Digest (TV Series) | Sir Edward Carson |
| 1955 | Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (TV Series) | Dictator |
| 1955 | The Prodigal | Ramadi |
| 1954 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Lord Belmont |
| 1954 | The Egyptian | Mekere |
| 1951–1952 | Lights Out (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Studio One (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1950 | Buccaneer's Girl | Capt. Duval |
| 1950 | The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Colonel Chart |
| 1949 | The Secret of St. Ives | Maj. Edward Chevenish |
| 1949 | Siren of Atlantis | Blades |
| 1948 | Wake of the Red Witch | Jacques Desaix |
| 1947 | The Exile | Colonel Ingram |
| 1947 | Song of Love | Franz Liszt |
| 1946 | Angel Street (TV Movie) | Mr. Manningham |
| 1946 | The Bandit of Sherwood Forest | The Regent - William of Pembroke |
| 1945 | Captain Kidd | King William III |
| 1945 | The Woman in Green | Prof. Moriarty |
| 1945 | Hotel Berlin | Baron Von Stetten |
| 1945 | The Body Snatcher | Dr. Wolfe 'Toddy' MacFarlane |
| 1944 | The Suspect | Mr. Simmons |
| 1943 | Jane Eyre | Henry Brocklehurst |
| 1943 | Watch on the Rhine | Phili Von Ramme |
| 1943 | Mission to Moscow | Minister von Ribbentrop |
| 1943 | Sherlock Holmes in Washington | William Easter |
| 1942 | Reunion in France | Emile Fleuron |
| 1942 | The Great Impersonation | Frederick Seamon |
| 1942 | Nightmare | Capt. Stafford |
| 1942 | Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror | Anthony Lloyd |
| 1942 | Castle in the Desert | Watson King |
| 1942 | Four Jacks and a Jill | Bobo |
| 1941 | The Feminine Touch | Shelley Mason |
| 1941 | Dressed to Kill | Julian Davis (as Henry Daniel) |
| 1941 | A Woman's Face | Public Prosecutor |
| 1940 | The Philadelphia Story | Sidney Kidd |
| 1940 | The Great Dictator | Garbitsch |
| 1940 | The Sea Hawk | Lord Wolfingham |
| 1940 | All This, and Heaven Too | Broussais |
| 1939 | We Are Not Alone | Sir Ronald Dawson |
| 1939 | The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex | Sir Robert Cecil |
| 1938 | Marie Antoinette | La Motte |
| 1938 | Holiday | Seton Cram |
| 1937 | Madame X | Lerocle |
| 1937 | The Firefly | General Savary |
| 1937 | The Thirteenth Chair | John Wales |
| 1937 | Under Cover of Night | Marvin Griswald |
| 1936 | Camille | Baron de Varville |
| 1936 | The Unguarded Hour | Hugh Lewis |
| 1934 | The Path of Glory | King Maximillian |
| 1930 | The Last of the Lone Wolf | Count von Rimpau (as Henry Daniel) |
| 1929 | Jealousy | Clement |
| 1929 | Norman Warriner |