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Roger Livesey

February 07, 2023

Roger Livesey (25 June 1906 – 4 February 1976) was a British stage and film actor. He is most often remembered for the three Powell & Pressburger films in which he starred: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, I Know Where I'm Going! and A Matter of Life and Death. Tall and broad with a mop of chestnut hair, Livesey used his highly distinctive husky voice, gentle manner and athletic physique to create many notable roles in his theatre and film work.

Roger Livesey
Livesey in the 1943 film The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Born(1906-06-25)25 June 1906
Barry, Wales
Died4 February 1976(1976-02-04) (aged 69)
Watford, England
OccupationActor
Years active1921–1975
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1937; died 1973)​

Early life

Livesey was born in Barry, Wales.[1] Although most articles about him indicated that his parents were Samuel Livesey and Mary Catherine (née Edwards), later research has shown that his father was actually Joseph Livesey. The confusion may have arisen because his mother Mary married Samuel (Joseph's brother) after Joseph's death and the death of Samuel's wife, Mary's sister. Samuel and Mary had a child of their own, Stella, who was both Roger's half sister and first cousin. Roger Livesey was educated at Westminster City School, London.[2] His two step-brothers (who were also his first cousins) were also actors.

Acting career

 
Roger Livesey and his canine co-star in the Theatre Guild production Storm Over Patsy (1937)

Livesey studied under Italia Conti.[3] His first stage role was as the office boy in Loyalty at St. James's Theatre in 1917. He then appeared in a wide range of productions from Shakespeare to modern comedies. He played various roles in the West End from 1920 to 1926, toured the West Indies and South Africa, and then returned to join the Old Vic/Sadler's Wells company from September 1932 until May 1934. In 1936 he appeared in New York City in Wycherley's comedy The Country Wife. While in New York he married actress Ursula Jeans, whom he had known previously in England[4] (Livesey's sister Maggie was already married to Ursula Jeans' brother Desmond).

At the outbreak of the Second World War Livesey and Jeans were among the first volunteers to entertain the troops. He then applied for flying duties in the Royal Air Force but due to his age was rejected. Instead he worked in an aircraft factory at Desford aerodrome near Leicester to "do his bit for the war effort".

Livesey was chosen by Michael Powell to play the lead in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) after Powell was denied his original choice, Laurence Olivier (Winston Churchill had objected to the movie and the Fleet Air Arm refused to release Olivier, who had been a Hollywood movie star before returning to England to take a Navy commission).[5] The movie was shown in New York and established Livesey's international reputation as a talented character actor. In 1945, he was the first choice for the male lead role in Brief Encounter, which in the end went to Trevor Howard.[6]

He toured Australia from 1956 to 1958 playing Jimmy Broadbent in The Reluctant Debutante and continued playing many theatrical roles during his film career until 1969. One of his last roles was as the Duke of St Bungay in The Pallisers television series. His final television appearance was in the series Benjamin Franklin in 1975.

Death

 
Memorial plaque in St Paul's in Covent Garden to Livesey and his wife Ursula Jeans

Livesey died in Watford from colorectal cancer at the age of 69 on 4 February 1976. He shares a memorial plaque with his wife Ursula Jeans in the actors' church St Paul's in Covent Garden.

Livesey family

The Livesey family has a complicated structure. Brothers Joseph and Sam Livesey married the Edwards sisters. Sam married Margaret Ann in 1900 and Joseph married Mary Catherine in 1905. Sam and Margaret Ann had two sons, Jack (1901) and Barrie Livesey (1905). Joseph and Mary Catherine had two children, Roger (1906) and Maggie (1911).

After Joseph died in 1911 and Margaret Ann died in 1913, Sam married Mary Catherine in 1913.[7] They then brought up the children as one large family, having another child of their own, Stella in 1915.

The family tree was further complicated when Roger Livesey married the actress Ursula Jeans whose brother Desmond Jeans was already married to Roger's sister Maggie.

Many of the family formed a touring company of actors, performing in regional theatres and from the back of an old wagon, one side of which could be dropped to form a stage. Because of their touring, they did not regard themselves as particularly Welsh, or English. They were just British because people happened to be born in the places where their mothers happened to be residing at the time.

Roger EdwardsMary DavidThomas Carter LiveseyMary Wright
Margaret AnnSam LiveseyMary CatherineJoseph Livesey
Jack LiveseyBarrie LiveseyStella LiveseyRoger LiveseyUrsula JeansDesmond JeansMaggie Livesey

Filmography

Vocal Work

In 1958, he, Judith Furse, Terry-Thomas, Rita Webb, Avril Angers, and Miles Malleson, recorded 'Indian Summer of an Uncle', and 'Jeeves Takes Charge' for the Caedmon Audio record label, (Caedmon Audio TC-1137). It was re-released in stereo in 1964.

References

  1. ^ "Livesey, Roger (1906–1976)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/60311. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ The Great Stage Stars, by Sheridan Morley, Facts on File Publications, 1986, p. 235
  3. ^ Actor's bio, Theatre Program, "Oh Clarence", Grand Theatre, Leeds, Dec.1970.
  4. ^ A Who's Who of British Film Actors, by Scott Palmer, The Scarecrow Press 1981 p307
  5. ^ Chapman, James. "'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' reconsidered". The Powell & Pressburger Pages. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  6. ^ A Brief Encounter with Carnforth Station 9 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ The marriage between Sam and Mary Catherine was legal (just only six years after the passing of the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907). However they didn't advertise the fact due to traditionalists who questioned the morality. This led to the confusion that Roger was actually Sam Livesey's son.

External links

  • Roger Livesey at IMDb
  • Roger Livesey at the Internet Broadway Database
  • Roger Livesey at the BFI's Screenonline
  • Performances in the University of Bristol Theatre Archive
  • Collection of biography & reviews of Livesey
  • From the Powell & Pressburger pages - dynasty of Roger Livesey
  • other biographical notes from the same source
  • Pages on Roger Livesey from Celebri
  • BBC Wales Arts page. Top 10 Welsh actors: Roger Livesey
  • Roger Livesey at Playbill Vault ()

February 07, 2023
roger, livesey, june, 1906, february, 1976, british, stage, film, actor, most, often, remembered, three, powell, pressburger, films, which, starred, life, death, colonel, blimp, know, where, going, matter, life, death, tall, broad, with, chestnut, hair, livese. Roger Livesey 25 June 1906 4 February 1976 was a British stage and film actor He is most often remembered for the three Powell amp Pressburger films in which he starred The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp I Know Where I m Going and A Matter of Life and Death Tall and broad with a mop of chestnut hair Livesey used his highly distinctive husky voice gentle manner and athletic physique to create many notable roles in his theatre and film work Roger LiveseyLivesey in the 1943 film The Life and Death of Colonel BlimpBorn 1906 06 25 25 June 1906Barry WalesDied4 February 1976 1976 02 04 aged 69 Watford EnglandOccupationActorYears active1921 1975SpouseUrsula Jeans m 1937 died 1973 wbr Contents 1 Early life 2 Acting career 3 Death 4 Livesey family 5 Filmography 6 Vocal Work 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditLivesey was born in Barry Wales 1 Although most articles about him indicated that his parents were Samuel Livesey and Mary Catherine nee Edwards later research has shown that his father was actually Joseph Livesey The confusion may have arisen because his mother Mary married Samuel Joseph s brother after Joseph s death and the death of Samuel s wife Mary s sister Samuel and Mary had a child of their own Stella who was both Roger s half sister and first cousin Roger Livesey was educated at Westminster City School London 2 His two step brothers who were also his first cousins were also actors Acting career Edit Roger Livesey and his canine co star in the Theatre Guild production Storm Over Patsy 1937 Livesey studied under Italia Conti 3 His first stage role was as the office boy in Loyalty at St James s Theatre in 1917 He then appeared in a wide range of productions from Shakespeare to modern comedies He played various roles in the West End from 1920 to 1926 toured the West Indies and South Africa and then returned to join the Old Vic Sadler s Wells company from September 1932 until May 1934 In 1936 he appeared in New York City in Wycherley s comedy The Country Wife While in New York he married actress Ursula Jeans whom he had known previously in England 4 Livesey s sister Maggie was already married to Ursula Jeans brother Desmond At the outbreak of the Second World War Livesey and Jeans were among the first volunteers to entertain the troops He then applied for flying duties in the Royal Air Force but due to his age was rejected Instead he worked in an aircraft factory at Desford aerodrome near Leicester to do his bit for the war effort Livesey was chosen by Michael Powell to play the lead in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp 1943 after Powell was denied his original choice Laurence Olivier Winston Churchill had objected to the movie and the Fleet Air Arm refused to release Olivier who had been a Hollywood movie star before returning to England to take a Navy commission 5 The movie was shown in New York and established Livesey s international reputation as a talented character actor In 1945 he was the first choice for the male lead role in Brief Encounter which in the end went to Trevor Howard 6 He toured Australia from 1956 to 1958 playing Jimmy Broadbent in The Reluctant Debutante and continued playing many theatrical roles during his film career until 1969 One of his last roles was as the Duke of St Bungay in The Pallisers television series His final television appearance was in the series Benjamin Franklin in 1975 Death Edit Memorial plaque in St Paul s in Covent Garden to Livesey and his wife Ursula Jeans Livesey died in Watford from colorectal cancer at the age of 69 on 4 February 1976 He shares a memorial plaque with his wife Ursula Jeans in the actors church St Paul s in Covent Garden Livesey family EditThe Livesey family has a complicated structure Brothers Joseph and Sam Livesey married the Edwards sisters Sam married Margaret Ann in 1900 and Joseph married Mary Catherine in 1905 Sam and Margaret Ann had two sons Jack 1901 and Barrie Livesey 1905 Joseph and Mary Catherine had two children Roger 1906 and Maggie 1911 After Joseph died in 1911 and Margaret Ann died in 1913 Sam married Mary Catherine in 1913 7 They then brought up the children as one large family having another child of their own Stella in 1915 The family tree was further complicated when Roger Livesey married the actress Ursula Jeans whose brother Desmond Jeans was already married to Roger s sister Maggie Many of the family formed a touring company of actors performing in regional theatres and from the back of an old wagon one side of which could be dropped to form a stage Because of their touring they did not regard themselves as particularly Welsh or English They were just British because people happened to be born in the places where their mothers happened to be residing at the time Roger EdwardsMary DavidThomas Carter LiveseyMary WrightMargaret AnnSam LiveseyMary CatherineJoseph LiveseyJack LiveseyBarrie LiveseyStella LiveseyRoger LiveseyUrsula JeansDesmond JeansMaggie LiveseyFilmography EditThe Four Feathers 1921 Harry Faversham child Where the Rainbow Ends 1921 Cubby the Lion Cub uncredited Married Love 1923 Henry Burrows East Lynne on the Western Front 1931 Sandy A Cuckoo in the Nest 1933 Alfred The Veteran of Waterloo 1933 Sergeant MacDonald Blind Justice 1934 Gilbert Jackson Lorna Doone 1934 Tom Faggus The Price of Wisdom 1935 Peter North Midshipman Easy 1935 Captain Wilson Rembrandt 1936 Beggar Saul The Drum 1938 Capt Carruthers The Rebel Son 1938 Peter Bulba Keep Smiling 1938 Bert Wattle Spies of the Air 1940 Charles Houghton The Girl in the News 1940 Bill Mather The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp 1943 Clive Candy I Know Where I m Going 1945 Torquil MacNeil A Matter of Life and Death 1946 Doctor Frank Reeves Vice Versa 1948 Paul Bultitude Dick Bultitude That Dangerous Age 1949 Sir Brian Brooke Green Grow the Rushes 1951 Capt Cedric Biddle The Master of Ballantrae 1953 Col Francis Burke The Intimate Stranger 1956 Ben Case The Stowaway 1958 Major Owens It Happened in Broad Daylight 1958 Professor Manz English version voice The League of Gentlemen 1960 Mycroft Upgreen And at Em 1960 The Entertainer 1960 Billy Rice By Invitation Only 1961 TV Movie Phillip Gordon Davies No My Darling Daughter 1961 General Henry Barclay Of Human Bondage 1964 Thorpe Athelny The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders 1965 Drunken Parson Oedipus the King 1968 Shepherd Hamlet 1969 First Player Gravedigger Futtocks End 1970 The Artist Justice 1971 To Help an Old School Friend Uncle George The Pallisers 1974 BBC serial Duke of St BungayVocal Work EditIn 1958 he Judith Furse Terry Thomas Rita Webb Avril Angers and Miles Malleson recorded Indian Summer of an Uncle and Jeeves Takes Charge for the Caedmon Audio record label Caedmon Audio TC 1137 It was re released in stereo in 1964 References Edit Livesey Roger 1906 1976 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 60311 Subscription or UK public library membership required The Great Stage Stars by Sheridan Morley Facts on File Publications 1986 p 235 Actor s bio Theatre Program Oh Clarence Grand Theatre Leeds Dec 1970 A Who s Who of British Film Actors by Scott Palmer The Scarecrow Press 1981 p307 Chapman James The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp reconsidered The Powell amp Pressburger Pages Retrieved 4 February 2012 A Brief Encounter with Carnforth Station Archived 9 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine The marriage between Sam and Mary Catherine was legal just only six years after the passing of the Deceased Wife s Sister s Marriage Act 1907 However they didn t advertise the fact due to traditionalists who questioned the morality This led to the confusion that Roger was actually Sam Livesey s son External links EditRoger Livesey at IMDb Roger Livesey at the Internet Broadway Database Roger Livesey at the BFI s Screenonline Performances in the University of Bristol Theatre Archive Collection of biography amp reviews of Livesey From the Powell amp Pressburger pages dynasty of Roger Livesey other biographical notes from the same source Pages on Roger Livesey from Celebri BBC Wales Arts page Top 10 Welsh actors Roger Livesey Blockbuster page on Roger Livesey films Roger Livesey at Playbill Vault archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roger Livesey amp oldid 1121752596, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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