Anthony Douglas Gillon Dawson (18 October 1916 – 8 January 1992) was a Scottish actor, best known for his supporting roles as villains in films such as

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featu ...

's ''

Dial M for Murder ''Dial M for Murder'' is a 1954 American crime thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, Anthony Dawson, and John Williams. Both the screenplay and the successful stage play on which it was ...

'' (1954) and ''

Midnight Lace ''Midnight Lace'' is a 1960 American psychological thriller film directed by David Miller (director), David Miller and starring Doris Day, Rex Harrison, John Gavin, Myrna Loy, and Roddy McDowall. The plot centers on a woman threatened by an anon ...

'' (1960), and playing Professor Dent in the

James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...

film '' Dr. No'' (1962). He also appeared as

Ernst Stavro Blofeld Ernst Stavro Blofeld is a fictional supervillain in the ''James Bond'' series of novels and films, created by Ian Fleming. A criminal mastermind with aspirations of world domination, he is the archenemy of British MI6 agent James Bond. Blofel ...

in '' From Russia with Love'' (1963) and '' Thunderball'' (1965).

Life

Dawson was born in

Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...

, the son of Ida Violet (Kittel) and Eric Francis Dawson.

Career

Following

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also known by its abbreviation RADA (), is a drama school in London, England, which provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in Bloomsbury, Central London ...

training and

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

service, he made his film debut in 1943's ''

They Met in the Dark ''They Met in the Dark'' (also known as ''Dark End'' and ''Spionagering M'' ) is a 1943 British comedy thriller film directed by Karel Lamač and starring James Mason, Joyce Howard and Edward Rigby. The screenplay concerns a cashiered Royal N ...

''. He went on to appear in such classic British films as ''

The Way to the Stars ''The Way to the Stars'' is a 1945 Anglo-American black-and-white Second World War drama film made by Two Cities Films. The film was produced by Anatole de Grunwald, directed by Anthony Asquith, and stars Michael Redgrave, John Mills, Rosamu ...

'' (1945), '' The Queen of Spades'' (1948) and ''

The Wooden Horse ''The Wooden Horse'' is a 1950 British World War II war film directed by Jack Lee and starring Leo Genn, David Tomlinson and Anthony Steel. It is based on the book of the same name by Eric Williams, who also wrote the screenplay. The film ...

'' (1950), before moving to America in the early 1950s. It was while there that he appeared on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

in the play, and then the subsequent

film of ''

'' (1954), playing C. A. Swann/Captain Lesgate. In the film, he is

blackmail Blackmail is a criminal act of coercion using a threat. As a criminal offense, blackmail is defined in various ways in common law jurisdictions. In the United States, blackmail is generally defined as a crime of information, involving a thr ...

ed by Tony Wendice (

Ray Milland Ray Milland (born Alfred Reginald Jones; 3 January 1907 – 10 March 1986) was a Welsh-American actor and film director. He is often remembered for his portrayal of an alcoholic writer in Billy Wilder's ''The Lost Weekend'' (1945), which wo ...

) into murdering his wife Margot (

Grace Kelly Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982), also known as Grace of Monaco, was an American actress and Princess of Monaco as the wife of Prince Rainier III from their marriage on April 18, 1956, until her death in 1982. ...

). In his unpublished memoirs, ''Rambling Recollections'', Dawson reminisced about getting the part: He had two other memorable roles on his return to

Britain Britain most often refers to: * Great Britain, a large island comprising the countries of England, Scotland and Wales * The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sovereign state in Europe comprising Great Britain and the north-eas ...

, including the evil Marques Siniestro in

Hammer A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nail (fastener), nails into wood, to sh ...

's ''

The Curse of the Werewolf ''The Curse of the Werewolf'' is a 1961 British horror film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Clifford Evans, Oliver Reed and Yvonne Romain. It was based on the novel '' The Werewolf of Paris'' by Guy Endore. It was produced by Anthon ...

'' (1961) and henchman Professor Dent in the first

film, '' Dr. No'' (1962). Throughout his career he could often be found in the films of director Terence Young, including the aforementioned ''Dr. No'', '' They Were Not Divided'' (1950), '' Valley of Eagles'' (1951), ''

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders ''The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders'' is a 1965 British historical comedy film directed by Terence Young and starring Kim Novak, Richard Johnson, and Angela Lansbury. It is based on the 1722 novel ''Moll Flanders'' by Daniel Defoe. Plo ...

'' (1965), '' Triple Cross'' (1966), '' Red Sun'' (1971), ''

Inchon Incheon is a city located in northwestern South Korea, bordering Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to the east. Inhabited since the Neolithic, Incheon was home to just 4,700 people when it became an international port in 1883. As of February 2020, ...

'' (1982) and '' The Jigsaw Man'' (1983). Young also cast him as the physical presence of

in his Bond films '' From Russia with Love'' (1963) and '' Thunderball'' (1965), stroking the ubiquitous white cat. His face was never seen, however, and Blofeld's voice was provided by

Eric Pohlmann Eric Pohlmann (; born Erich Pollak; 18 July 1913 – 25 July 1979) was an Austrian theatre, film and television character actor who worked mostly in the United Kingdom. He is known for voicing Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the primary antagonist of t ...

. Dawson appeared alongside fellow Bond veterans

Adolfo Celi Adolfo Celi (; 27 July 1922 – 19 February 1986) was an Italian film actor and director. Born in Curcuraci, Messina, Sicily, Celi appeared in nearly 100 films, specialising in international villains. Although a prominent actor in Italian ...

Lois Maxwell Lois Ruth Maxwell (née Hooker; February 14, 1927 – September 29, 2007) was a Canadian actress. She was best known for portraying Miss Moneypenny in the first 14 Eon Productions, Eon-produced James Bond in film, ''James Bond'' films (1962–1 ...

and

Bernard Lee John Bernard Lee (10 January 190816 January 1981) was an English actor, best known for his role as M in the first eleven Eon-produced James Bond films. Lee's film career spanned the years 1934 to 1979, though he had appeared on stage from ...

in the Italian Bond knockoff '' O.K. Connery''. After the early 1960s, his roles got progressively smaller, but he continued to act until his death.

Death

He died in

East Sussex East Sussex is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Kent to the north-east, West Sussex to the west, Surrey to the north-west, and the English Channel to the south. The largest settlement ...

of cancer at the age of 75 in January 1992.

Selected filmography

* '' Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt'' (1940) – Student (uncredited) * ''

'' (1943) – 2nd Code Expert * ''

'' (1945) – Bertie Steen * ''

Beware of Pity ''Beware of Pity'' is a 1946 British romantic drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Lilli Palmer, Albert Lieven and Cedric Hardwicke. It is based on the 1939 novel of the same name by Stefan Zweig. A paraplegic young baroness mist ...

'' (1946) – Lieutenant Blannik * '' School for Secrets'' (1946) – Flight Lieutenant Norton * '' The Queen of Spades'' (1949) – Fyodor * '' They Were Not Divided'' (1950) – Michael * ''

'' (1950) – Pomfret * ''

The Woman in Question ''The Woman in Question'' (released in the USA as ''Five Angles on Murder'') is a 1950 British murder mystery film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Jean Kent, Dirk Bogarde and John McCallum. It was written by John Cresswell and Joseph Ja ...

'' (1950) – Inspector Wilson (uncredited) * ''

I'll Get You for This ''I'll Get You for This'' (released in the USA as ''Lucky Nick Cain'') is a 1951 British thriller film by Joseph M. Newman starring George Raft, Coleen Gray, and Enzo Staiola. It was made from an adaptation by George Callahan and William R ...

'' (1951) – Secret Agent (uncredited) * ''

The Long Dark Hall ''The Long Dark Hall'' is a 1951 British crime film directed by Reginald Beck and Anthony Bushell and starring Rex Harrison, Lilli Palmer and Raymond Huntley. It was written by Nunnally Johnson based on the 1947 novel '' A Case to Answer'' by E ...

'' (1951) – The Man * '' Valley of Eagles'' (1951) – Sven Nystrom * ''

'' (1954) – C. J. Swann / Captain Lesgate * '' That Lady'' (1955) – Don Inigo * ''

The Buccaneers ''The Buccaneers'' is the last novel written by Edith Wharton. The story is set in the 1870s, around the time Wharton was a young girl. It was unfinished work, unfinished at the time of her death in 1937 and published in that form in 1938. Whar ...

'' (1956) - Captain Flask (1 episode) * ''

Hour of Decision The ''Hour of Decision'' was a live weekly radio broadcast produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. First broadcast in 1950 by the American Broadcasting Company, it was a half-hour program featuring sermons from noted evangelist ...

'' (1957) – Gary Bax * ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1957) (Season 2 Episodes 25, 26, 27: "

I Killed the Count ''I Killed the Count'' is a 1937 play by Alec Coppel. Its success launched Coppel's career. 1937 London production Cast *Eric Maturin as Count Victor Mattoni *Athole Stewart as Viscount Sorrington *Alec Clunes as Detective Raines * Anthony Hol ...

Part 1", "I Killed the Count Part 2", "I Killed the Count Part 3") - Count Victor Mattoni * '' Action of the Tiger'' (1957) – Security Officer * ''

The Haunted Strangler ''The Haunted Strangler'' (also known as ''Grip of the Strangler'' and originally titled ''The Judas Hole'') is a 1958 British horror film directed by Robert Day and starring Boris Karloff, Jean Kent, Elizabeth Allan, and Anthony Dawson. It ...

'' (1958) – Superintendent Burk * ''

Tiger Bay Tiger Bay () was the local name for an area of Cardiff which covered Butetown and Cardiff Docks. Following the building of the Cardiff Barrage, which dams the tidal rivers, Ely and Taff, to create a body of water, it is referred to as Car ...

'' (1959) – Barclay * ''

Libel Defamation is a communication that injures a third party's reputation and causes a legally redressable injury. The precise legal definition of defamation varies from country to country. It is not necessarily restricted to making assertions ...

'' (1959) – Gerald Loddon * ''

'' (1960) – Roy Ash * '' Offbeat'' (1961) – James Dawson * ''

'' (1961) – The Marques Siniestro * '' Dr. No'' (1962) – Professor R.J. Dent * '' Seven Seas to Calais'' (1962) – Lord Burleigh * '' From Russia with Love'' (1963) – Ernst Stavro Blofeld (body only, credited as ?) * '' The Yellow Rolls-Royce'' (1964) – Mickey (uncredited) * '' Change Partners'' (1965) – Ben Arkwright * ''

'' (1965) – Officer of Dragoons * '' Thunderball'' (1965) – Ernst Stavro Blofeld (body only, uncredited) * ''

Death Rides a Horse ''Death Rides a Horse'' () is a 1967 Italian spaghetti Western directed by Giulio Petroni, written by Luciano Vincenzoni and starring Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law. Plot Bill, a boy whose father was killed and mother and sister were gang-r ...

'' (1966) – Burt Cavanaugh * '' Triple Cross'' (1966) – Major Stillman * ''

Kaleidoscope A kaleidoscope () is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces (or mirrors) tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a symmetrical pattern when viewed fro ...

'' (1966) – Tony Anderson, English Casino Manager (uncredited) * ''

Your Turn to Die In Modern English, the word "''you''" is the second-person pronoun. It is grammatically plural, and was historically used only for the dative case, but in most modern dialects is used for all cases and numbers. History ''You'' comes from ...

'' (1967) – Dr. Evans * '' Dirty Heroes'' (1967) – American Colonel * '' Operation Kid Brother'' (1967) – Alpha * '' The Rover'' (1967) – Captain Vincent * ''

Hell Is Empty ''Hell is Empty'' is a 1967 British crime film directed by Bernard Knowles and John Ainsworth, and starring Martine Carol, Anthony Steel, Shirley Anne Field and James Robertson Justice. It was written by Ainsworth from a screenplay by Knowles ...

'' (1967) – Paul Grant * '' A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof'' (1968) – Samuel Pratt * ''

Battle of Neretva Case White (), also known as the Fourth Enemy Offensive (), was a combined Axis strategic offensive launched against the Yugoslav Partisans throughout occupied Yugoslavia during World War II. It was one of the most significant confrontations o ...

'' (1969) – General Morelli * '' Rosolino Paternò, soldato...'' (1970) – Italian General * ''

Deadlock Deadlock commonly refers to: * Deadlock (computer science), a situation where two processes are each waiting for the other to finish * Deadlock (locksmithing) or deadbolt, a physical door locking mechanism * Political deadlock or gridlock, a si ...

'' (1970) – Anthony Sunshine * '' Red Sun'' (1971) – Hyatt * '' The Valachi Papers'' (1972) – Federal Investigator * '' The Big Game'' (1973) – Burton (uncredited) * ''

Massacre in Rome ''Massacre in Rome'' () is a 1973 Italian war drama film directed by George Pan Cosmatos about the Ardeatine massacre which occurred at the Ardeatine caves in Rome, 24 March 1944, committed by the Germans as a reprisal for a partisan attack aga ...

'' (1973) –

Wilhelm Harster Wilhelm Harster (21 July 1904 – 25 December 1991) was a German lawyer, police official and convicted war criminal. An SS-''Gruppenführer'' in the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS), he commanded German security police and intelligence services in Kraków ...

* ''

'' (1981) – General Collins * '' The Jigsaw Man'' (1983) – Vicar * '' Where is Parsifal'' (1984) – Ripple * ''

Pirates Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and valuable goods, or taking hostages. Those who conduct acts of piracy are call ...

'' (1986) – Spanish Officer * '' Ghoulies II'' (1988) – Priest * '' Run for Your Life'' (1988) – Colonel Moorcroft * ' (1990) – Roy

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dawson, Anthony 1916 births 1992 deaths Deaths from cancer in England Scottish male stage actors Scottish male film actors Scottish male television actors Male actors from Edinburgh Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art 20th-century Scottish male actors British military personnel of World War II