Donald Pleasence Biography

Fast Facts

• Recognized with O․B․E․ qualifications by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994 for his contributions to drama
• Passed away at age 75 following surgical complications during a heart valve replacement operation
• Served as a prisoner-of-war under Nazi control during WWII after his plane was shot down in 1944 before being released following the end of the war
• Quote: "I treat all film roles one way: very seriously․․․I'm a professional actor who has no particular approach to acting․ I get the part, I read the script․ If I decide to do it, I learn the lines․ People expecting a longwinded explanation on my approach will be disappointed․ I have no theory about acting․ There is no method, there is no way․ I just do it․"
• Returned to stage work in London following WWII before eventually making his American screen debut in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" in 1962
• While not acting, he often lent his writing expertise to children's books and later recorded voiceover stories for children
• Once offended "The Great Escape" director John Sturges by giving his input into the film's plot points, until Sturges learned that Pleasence had actually been a WWII P․O․W․ and graciously began asking for technical advice thereafter
• Was only paid $20,000 for his role in the first "Halloween" film