Born: February 22, 1908 – Died: April 23, 2005
Sir John Mills, born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills on February 22, 1908, at the Watts Naval Training College in North Elmham, Norfolk, England, was a beloved and highly acclaimed English actor. Raised in Felixstowe, Suffolk, Mills' father was a mathematics teacher and his mother worked as a theater box-office manager. With a career spanning over eight decades, Mills appeared in more than 120 films and TV movies, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. His extraordinary talent and dedication earned him an Oscar and numerous accolades. Mills' charismatic presence and exceptional performances captivated audiences, solidifying his status as an iconic figure in English cinema.
Early Life and Career
Born on February 22, 1908, Sir John Mills had a humble upbringing in Felixstowe, Suffolk. His father was a mathematics teacher, while his mother worked as a theater box-office manager. Mills did not attend university, as he pursued a career in the performing arts.
Mills began his career as a dancer, training at Zelia Raye's Dancing School in London. He quickly transitioned to the stage, appearing in revues, musicals, and plays throughout the 1930s. He also gained recognition in British films during this time, starring in "quota quickies" made under a system designed to boost local film production.
In 1932, Mills made his professional film debut, and his talent eventually landed him his breakthrough role in the 1946 film "Great Expectations." His portrayal of Pip in this Charles Dickens adaptation earned him critical acclaim and established him as a leading actor in the British film industry.
Mills' career continued to flourish, and he went on to deliver exceptional performances in films such as "Hobson's Choice" (1954), for which he earned a British Film Academy award, and "Ryan's Daughter" (1970), for which he received an Academy Award nomination. In total, Mills won one Oscar and received numerous other awards and nominations throughout his career.
Aside from his acting prowess, Mills was known for his personal life. He was married twice - first to playwright Aileen Raymond in 1941 and later to Mary Hayley Bell in 1941. Mills had three children, including actors Hayley Mills. He also showcased his talents as a producer and director in various projects.
Throughout his career, Mills left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. His charismatic presence and ability to portray diverse roles made him a beloved figure among audiences. Mills is considered an icon in English cinema, and his contributions to both the stage and screen solidify his status as a legendary actor.
In terms of philanthropy, Mills was a patron of the Variety Club, a council member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic art, and a supporter of various charitable initiatives. He left an enduring legacy in Hollywood and continues to inspire future generations of actors with his extraordinary talent and dedication to his craft.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Lights2 (Short) | A Tramp |
| 2003 | Bright Young Things | Gentleman |
| 2001 | The Gentleman Thief (TV Movie) | Arthur Rosehip |
| 1998 | Cats (Video) | Gus the Theatre Cat |
| 1997 | Bean | Chairman (as Sir John Mills) |
| 1996 | Hamlet | Old Norway |
| 1995 | Gentlemen Don't Eat Poets | Sir Edward Cleghorn |
| 1994 | Martin Chuzzlewit (TV Mini Series) | Mr. Chuffey |
| 1994 | The English Programme (TV Series) | William Mossop |
| 1994 | Deadly Advice | Jack the Ripper |
| 1993 | Harnessing Peacocks (TV Movie) | Bernard Quigley |
| 1993 | The Big Freeze (TV Movie) | Dapper Man |
| 1992 | Frankenstein (TV Movie) | De Lacey |
| 1992 | Perfect Scoundrels (TV Series) | Praeger |
| 1990 | Night of the Fox (TV Movie) | Brig. Dougal Munro |
| 1989 | Ending Up (TV Movie) | Bernard |
| 1989 | A Tale of Two Cities (TV Mini Series) | Jarvis Lorry |
| 1989 | Around the World in 80 Days (TV Mini Series) | Faversham (as Sir John Mills) |
| 1988 | The Lady and the Highwayman (TV Movie) | Sir Lawrence Dobson |
| 1988 | Spit MacPhee (TV Mini Series) | Fyfe MacPhee |
| 1987 | Who's That Girl | Montgomery Bell (as Sir John Mills) |
| 1987 | Hold the Dream (TV Mini Series) | Henry Rossiter |
| 1986 | When the Wind Blows | Jim Bloggs (voice) |
| 1986 | Hotel (TV Series) | Charles Canfield (as Sir John Mills) |
| 1985 | Edge of the Wind (TV Movie) | Major General Blair |
| 1985 | Murder with Mirrors (TV Movie) | Lewis Serrocold |
| 1985 | A Woman of Substance (TV Mini Series) | Henry Rossiter |
| 1984 | Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death (TV Movie) | Doctor Watson |
| 1983 | Sahara | Cambridge |
| 1982 | Gandhi | The Viceroy |
| 1980–1982 | Young at Heart (TV Series) | Albert Collyer |
| 1982 | The Adventures of Little Lord Fauntleroy (TV Movie) | The Earl of Dorincourt |
| 1980–1982 | Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series) | Sam Morrissey | The Man | William Perkins |
| 1979 | Quatermass (TV Mini Series) | Prof. Bernard Quatermass |
| 1979 | The Quatermass Conclusion | Prof. Bernard Quatermass |
| 1979 | Zulu Dawn | Sir Henry Bartle Frere |
| 1979 | The Love Boat (TV Series) | Bertram MacDonald |
| 1978 | The Thirty Nine Steps | Scudder |
| 1978 | Dr. Strange (TV Movie) | Lindmer |
| 1978 | The Big Sleep | Inspector Carson |
| 1977 | Des Teufels Advokat | Monsignor Blaise Meredith (as Sir John Mills) |
| 1976 | A Dirty Knight's Work | Colonel Bertie Cook |
| 1975 | The 'Human' Factor | Mike McAllister |
| 1974 | The Zoo Gang (TV Series) | Thomas 'The Elephant' Devon |
| 1973 | Oklahoma Crude | Cleon |
| 1972 | Lady Caroline Lamb | Canning |
| 1972 | Young Winston | General Kitchener |
| 1971 | Dulcima | Mr. Parker |
| 1971 | Nanny and the Professor (TV Series) | Uncle Alfred |
| 1970 | Ryan's Daughter | Michael |
| 1970 | Adam's Woman | Sir Philip MacDonald |
| 1969 | Oh! What a Lovely War | Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig |
| 1969 | Run Wild, Run Free | The Moorman |
| 1968 | Emma Hamilton | Lord William Hamilton |
| 1968 | A Black Veil for Lisa | Inspector Franz Bulon |
| 1967 | Dundee and the Culhane (TV Series) | Dundee |
| 1967 | Chuka | Col. Stuart Valois |
| 1967 | Africa: Texas Style | Wing Commander Hayes |
| 1966 | The Family Way | Ezra Fitton |
| 1966 | The Wrong Box | Masterman Finsbury |
| 1965 | King Rat | Colonel Smedley-Taylor |
| 1965 | Operation Crossbow | General Boyd |
| 1965 | The Truth About Spring | Tommy Tyler |
| 1964 | The Chalk Garden | Maitland |
| 1962–1964 | The DuPont Show of the Week (TV Series) | Davies | Inspector Fallon |
| 1962 | Tiara Tahiti | Lt. Col. Clifford Southey |
| 1962 | The Valiant | Capt. Morgan |
| 1961 | Flame in the Streets | Jacko Palmer |
| 1961 | The Parent Trap | Golf Caddy (uncredited) |
| 1961 | The Singer Not the Song | Father Michael Keogh |
| 1960 | Swiss Family Robinson | Father Robinson |
| 1960 | Tunes of Glory | Lt. Col. Basil Barrow |
| 1959 | Season of Passion | Barney |
| 1959 | Tiger Bay | Superintendent Graham |
| 1958 | Hell, Heaven or Hoboken | Major Harvey |
| 1958 | Ice Cold in Alex | Captain Anson |
| 1958 | Dunkirk | Corporal 'Tubby' Binns |
| 1957 | The Circle | Dr. Howard Latimer |
| 1957 | Town on Trial | Supt. Mike Halloran |
| 1956 | Around the World in 80 Days | London Carriage Driver |
| 1956 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) | Robert Crosbie |
| 1956 | War and Peace | Platon Karataev |
| 1956 | It's Great to Be Young! | Dingle |
| 1956 | The Baby and the Battleship | Puncher Roberts |
| 1955 | Escapade | John Hampden |
| 1955 | Above Us the Waves | Cmdr. Fraser |
| 1955 | The End of the Affair | Albert Parkis |
| 1955 | The Colditz Story | Pat Reid |
| 1954 | Hobson's Choice | William Mossop |
| 1953 | The Long Memory | Phillip Davidson |
| 1952 | The Gentle Gunman | Terence Sullivan |
| 1951 | Mr. Denning Drives North | Tom Denning |
| 1950 | Operation Disaster | Lieut. Commander Armstrong |
| 1949 | The Rocking Horse Winner | Bassett |
| 1949 | The History of Mr. Polly | Alfred Polly |
| 1948 | Scott of the Antarctic | Captain R.F. Scott R.N. |
| 1947 | The October Man | Jim Ackland |
| 1947 | So Well Remembered | George Boswell |
| 1946 | Great Expectations | Pip |
| 1945 | Johnny in the Clouds | Peter Penrose |
| 1945 | Waterloo Road | Jim Colter |
| 1944 | Information Please (Short) | British Flyer (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Victory Wedding (Short) | Private Bill Clark |
| 1944 | This Happy Breed | Billy Mitchell |
| 1943 | The Sky's the Limit (Short) | Tom |
| 1943 | We Dive at Dawn | Captain - Lt. Taylor, R.N. |
| 1942 | The Young Mr. Pitt | William Wilberforce |
| 1942 | In Which We Serve | Ordinary Seaman Shorty Blake |
| 1942 | The Big Blockade | Royal Air Force: Tom |
| 1942 | Black Sheep of Whitehall | Bobby Jessop |
| 1941 | Bombsight Stolen | Flt·Lieut. Perry |
| 1941 | Old Bill and Son | Young Bill Busby |
| 1940 | All Hands (Short) | Jack |
| 1939 | Goodbye, Mr. Chips | Peter Colley (as a Young Man) |
| 1937 | The Green Cockatoo | Jim Connor |
| 1937 | You're in the Army Now | Cpl. Bert Dawson |
| 1936 | Nine Days a Queen | Lord Guilford Dudley |
| 1936 | The First Offence | Johnnie Penrose |
| 1936 | Charing Cross Road | Tony |
| 1935 | Car of Dreams | Robert Miller |
| 1935 | Born for Glory | Albert Brown |
| 1934 | The Doctor's Secret | Ronnie Blake |
| 1934 | Blind Justice | Ralph Summers |
| 1934 | The Lash | Arthur Haughton |
| 1934 | Those Were the Days | Bobby Poskett |
| 1934 | The River Wolves | Peter Farrell |
| 1934 | A Political Party | Tony Smithers |
| 1933 | Britannia of Billingsgate | Fred Bolton |
| 1933 | The Ghost Camera | Ernest Elton |
| 1932 | Midshipmaid Gob | Golightly |
General:
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