Donald Crisp

Birth Name:

George William Crisp

Birth Place:

Bow, London, England, United Kingdom

Profession

Actor, Director, Soundtrack, Writer, Producer, Assistant director

Won the Directors Guild of America Honorary Life Member Award in 1957
Received his education at the University of Oxford
Befriended director D․W․ Griffith while working as a stage manager, and when Griffith moved from New York to Hollywood, so did he
Served as a trooper in the 10th Hussars in the Boer War, during which time he met Winston Churchill
While singing at a concert aboard the ship that took him to America, he impressed opera impresario John C․ Fisher who offered him a place with his company, meaning that he spent his first year in New York singing in the Grand Opera
Directed over 100 silent films, in addition to his acting career
One of his most celebrated roles was that of a Welsh miner in "How Green Was My Valley․"
Served in army intelligence for Britain during World War I
Served in the U․S․ Army Reserve during World War II, rising to the rank of colonel
Served the advisory board of Bank of America for decades, sometimes acting as its chairman

Fast Facts