Early Life The British character actor Claude Rains was born William Claude Rains on 10 November 1889 in Clapham, London. His father, Frederick William Rains was a boilermaker turned stage actor. His mother Emily Eliza (nee Cox), a housewife, was plagued with ill health. He was one of twelve children though only three of his…
Early Life of Arthur Stanley Jefferson aka Stan Laurel The legendary comedy actor, director, and screenwriter Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on 16 June 1890 in Ulverston, Lancashire (now Cumbria), England. He was one of five children. His father, Arthur J. Jefferson, was an actor, who later became a theatre manager. His Ulverston-born…
Early Life The comedy actor Sid James was born Solomon Joel Cohen on 8 May 1913 to Jewish parents in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a small boy, he performed with his parents in their music-hall act. In 1919, his parents, Laurie (Lou) and Reine Cohen left South Africa for a 2-year tour of Australia. James…
Early Life Dirk Bogarde was born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde on 28 March 1921 in West Hempstead, London. He was the eldest child of Margaret (nee Niven) and Ulric van den Bogaerde. His British-born father of Flemish origin was the art editor of The Times, while his Scottish mother was a…
Early Life The English actor John Le Mesurier was born on 5 April 1912 in Bedford. He was christened John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley by his parents, Charles Elton Halliley, a solicitor, and Amy Michelle (née Le Mesurier). The affluent Halliley family settled in Bury St Edmunds whilst John was still a young child. He…
Early Life The English character actress, comedian, presenter and writer Thora Hird was born on 28 May 1911 in Morecambe, Lancashire. Her parents James and Jane Hird were both from a theatrical background. Her father was the manager of a number of theatre venues in Morecambe, while her mother was an actress. Thora had two…
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