Ivan F. Simpson (8 February 1875 – 12 October 1951) was a Scottish film and stage actor.

Life and career

Simpson was born on 8 February 1875 in

Glasgow Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...

, Scotland, and went as a young man to New York City, where he worked for four decades 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 ...

from 1906 until his death. In 1915 he started his film silent career and starred in notable silent films like '' The Green Goddess'' from 1923, where he played the role of Mister Watkins. He also replied in this role seven years later in the sound film version of ''The Green Goddess''. In 1929 he portrayed Hugh Myers in ''

Disraeli Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (21 December 1804 – 19 April 1881) was a British statesman, Conservative politician and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He played a central role in the creat ...

'', where he played along his close friend

George Arliss George Arliss (born Augustus George Andrews; 10 April 1868 – 5 February 1946) was an English actor, author, playwright, and filmmaker who found success in the United States. He was the first British actor to win an Academy Award – which he ...

. Arliss and Simpson appeared together in a total of nine films.Ivan F. Simpson
at Allmovie Especially in the 1930s, Simpson was a successful character actor in supporting and bit parts and appeared in many classics. He often played servants, like in MGM's literature adaption ''

David Copperfield ''David Copperfield''Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work; see is a novel by English author Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from infancy to matur ...

'' as Littimer and the horror movie ''

Mark of the Vampire ''Mark of the Vampire'' is a 1935 American horror film directed by Tod Browning, and starring Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan (British actress), Elizabeth Allan, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, and Jean Hersholt, produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. ...

''. He also portrayed priests like in ''

Little Lord Fauntleroy ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' is a children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published as a serial in ''St. Nicholas Magazine'' from November 1885 to October 1886, then as a book by Charles Scribner's Sons, Scribner's (the publisher of ...

'' and ''

Random Harvest ''Random Harvest'' is a novel written by James Hilton, first published in 1941. Like previous Hilton works, including '' Lost Horizon'' and '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'', the novel was immensely popular, placing second on ''Publishers Weekly'' li ...

'', judges like in '' This Land Is Mine'' or doctors like in ''

They All Kissed the Bride ''They All Kissed the Bride'' is a 1942 American screwball comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Joan Crawford and Melvyn Douglas. Crawford took over the title role after Carole Lombard died in a plane crash in early 1942. Crawfor ...

''. Simpson was also a frequent actor in the

Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian and American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Oliv ...

movies, he appeared in ''

The Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a 1938 American Epic film, epic swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and written by Norman Reilly Ra ...

'', ''

The Prince and the Pauper ''The Prince and the Pauper'' is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. The plot conce ...

'' and '' Captain Blood''.

Selected filmography

* '' The Dictator'' (1915) – Simpson * '' Out of the Drifts'' (1916) – Martin * '' The Man Who Played God'' (1922) – Battle * '' The Green Goddess'' (1923) – Watkins * '' Twenty-One'' (1923) – Mr. Willis * '' Twenty Dollars a Week'' (1925) – James Pettison * '' Miss Bluebeard'' (1925) – Bounds * '' Wild, Wild Susan'' (1925) – Malcolm * '' Lovers in Quarantine'' (1925) – The Silent Passenger * '' A Kiss for Cinderella'' (1925) – Mr. Cutaway * '' Womanhandled'' (1925) – Butler (uncredited) * ''

'' (1929) – Sir Hugh Myers (uncredited) * ''

Evidence Evidence for a proposition is what supports the proposition. It is usually understood as an indication that the proposition is truth, true. The exact definition and role of evidence vary across different fields. In epistemology, evidence is what J ...

'' (1929) – Peabody * '' The Green Goddess'' (1930) – Watkins * '' Isle of Escape'' (1930) – Judge * '' Golden Dawn'' (1930) – Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Inside the Lines'' (1930) – Capper * ''

Manslaughter Manslaughter is a common law legal term for homicide considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th ce ...

'' (1930) – Morson * ''

Old English Old English ( or , or ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. It developed from the languages brought to Great Britain by Anglo-S ...

'' (1930) – Joe Pillin * '' The Way of All Men'' (1930) – Higgins * '' The Sea God'' (1930) – Pearly Nick * '' The Lady Who Dared'' (1931) – Butler * '' The Millionaire'' (1931) – Davis * '' The Reckless Hour'' (1931) – Stevens – Adams' Butler (uncredited) * '' Safe in Hell'' (1931) – Crunch * '' The Man Who Played God'' (1932) – Battle * '' A Passport to Hell'' (1932) – Simms * '' The Crash'' (1932) – Hodge * '' The Phantom of Crestwood'' (1932) – Mr. Vayne * ''

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...

'' (1932) – Faulkner * ''

The Monkey's Paw "The Monkey's Paw" is a Horror fiction, horror short story by English author W. W. Jacobs. It first appeared in ''Harper's Monthly'' in September, 1902, and was reprinted in his third collection of short stories, ''The Lady of the Barge'', late ...

'' (1933) – Mr. White * '' The Past of Mary Holmes'' (1933) – Jacob Riggs * ''

The Secret of Madame Blanche ''The Secret of Madame Blanche'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Charles Brabin and written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. The film stars Irene Dunne, Lionel Atwill, Phillips Holmes, Una Merkel and Douglas Walton. The ...

'' (1933) – Aubrey's Lawyer (uncredited) * '' The Silk Express'' (1933) – Johnson, Kilgore's Secretary * '' Midnight Mary'' (1933) – Tindle * ''

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778), known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' Voltaire (, ; ), was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, philosopher (''philosophe''), satirist, and historian. Famous for his wit ...

'' (1933) – Lelain – Actor (uncredited) * ''

Blind Adventure ''Blind Adventure'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code mystery film directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and starring Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack, Ralph Bellamy, and Roland Young. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures.Charlie Chan's Greatest Case'' (1933) – Brade * '' Her Secret'' (1933) – Lathrop * '' Man of Two Worlds'' (1934) – Dr. Lott * '' The Mystery of Mr. X'' (1934) – Hutchinson * ''

The House of Rothschild ''The House of Rothschild'' is a 1934 American pre-Code historical drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring George Arliss, Loretta Young and Boris Karloff. It was adapted by Nunnally Johnson from the play by George Hembert Westley ...

'' (1934) – Amschel Rothschild * '' Murder in Trinidad'' (1934) – First Doctor (uncredited) * ''

Stingaree The Stingaree was a neighborhood in downtown San Diego from the boom of the 1880s until it was demolished during a vice eradication campaign of 1916. It was the site of the city's Chinatown.Elizabeth Perl (Spring, 1977). San Diego's Chinese Mis ...

'' (1934) – Man with Beard (uncredited) * '' The World Moves On'' (1934) – Clumber * '' British Agent'' (1934) – Poohbah Evans * '' Among the Missing'' (1934) – Smeed * '' The Little Minister'' (1934) – Sanders Webster (uncredited) * ''

'' (1935) – Littimer * '' Shadow of Doubt'' (1935) – Morse * ''

'' (1935) – Jan * '' The Bishop Misbehaves'' (1935) – Mr. Grantham * ''

Mutiny on the Bounty The mutiny on the ''Bounty'' occurred in the South Pacific Ocean on 28 April 1789. Disaffected crewmen, led by acting-Lieutenant Fletcher Christian, seized control of the ship, , from their captain, Lieutenant (navy), Lieutenant William Bli ...

'' (1935) – Morgan * '' Splendor'' (1935) – Fletcher * '' East of Java'' (1935) – Resident (uncredited) * '' The Great Impersonation'' (1935) – Dr. Harrison * '' Captain Blood'' (1935) – Prosecutor * ''

'' (1936) – Rev. Mordaunt * '' Trouble for Two'' (1936) – Collins * '' Mary of Scotland'' (1936) – Judge * ''

Lloyd's of London Lloyd's of London, generally known simply as Lloyd's, is a insurance and reinsurance market located in London, England. Unlike most of its competitors in the industry, it is not an insurance company; rather, Lloyd's is a corporate body gover ...

'' (1936) – Old Man * '' Maid of Salem'' (1937) – Rev. Parris * ''

'' (1937) – Clemens * '' Night of Mystery'' (1937) – Sproot * '' London by Night'' (1937) – Burroughs * '' Youth on Parole'' (1937) – Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

45 Fathers ''45 Fathers'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by James Tinling, written by Frances Hyland and Albert Ray, and starring Jane Withers, Thomas Beck (actor), Thomas Beck, Louise Henry (actress), Louise Henry, Richard Carle, Nella Walker, and ...

'' (1937) – Chamberlain (uncredited) * ''

The Baroness and the Butler ''The Baroness and the Butler'' is a 1938 American romantic comedy film directed by Walter Lang and starring William Powell and Annabella in her American English-language debut. The supporting cast includes Helen Westley, Joseph Schildkraut, ...

'' (1938) – Count Dormo * '' Invisible Enemy'' (1938) – Michael * ''

'' (1938) – Proprietor of Kent Road Tavern * '' Kidnapped'' (1938) – Old Man (uncredited) * ''

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette (; ; Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last List of French royal consorts, queen of France before the French Revolution and the establishment of the French First Republic. She was the ...

'' (1938) – Sauce (uncredited) * '' Booloo'' (1938) – 1st Governor * '' Made for Each Other'' (1939) – Simon – Judge Doolittle's Brother (uncredited) * '' Never Say Die'' (1939) – Kretsky * '' The Sun Never Sets'' (1939) – A Doctor (uncredited) * ''

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes ''The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' is a collection of short stories by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, first published on 14 October 1892. It contains the earliest short stories featuring the consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, which h ...

'' (1939) – Gates – Trial Prosecutor (uncredited) * ''

Rulers of the Sea ''Rulers of the Sea'' is a 1939 American historical drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Margaret Lockwood and Will Fyffe. The film's story is based on the voyage of the , the first steamship to cross the North A ...

'' (1939) – Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Tower of London The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic citadel and castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamle ...

'' (1939) – Anne's Protector (uncredited) * ''

The Earl of Chicago ''The Earl of Chicago'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Robert Montgomery, Edward Arnold, Reginald Owen and Edmund Gwenn. Made during 1939 and released in January 1940, it was the first MGM film of the 1940 ...

'' (1940) – Hargraves (uncredited) * ''

The Invisible Man Returns ''The Invisible Man Returns'' is a 1940 American horror science fiction film directed by Joe May. The film stars Cedric Hardwicke, Vincent Price, Nan Grey and John Sutton. The film is a sequel to the 1933 film ''The Invisible Man'', and the ...

'' (1940) – Mr. Cotton (uncredited) * ''

New Moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse. ...

'' (1940) – Guizot * '' The Body Disappears'' (1941) – Dean Claxton * '' Nazi Agent'' (1942) – Professor Sterling * ''

The Male Animal ''The Male Animal'' is a 1942 American comedy-drama film produced by Warner Bros., starring Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Leslie. The film was based on a hit 1940 Broadway play of the same name written by James Thurber and Ell ...

'' (1942) – Dean Frederick Damon * ''

'' (1942) – Dr. Cassell * ''

Eagle Squadron The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days of World War II (1940), prior to the United States' entry into the war in December 1941. ...

'' (1942) – Simms (uncredited) * '' Youth on Parade'' (1942) – Dean Wharton * ''

Nightmare A nightmare, also known as a bad dream, Retrieved 11 July 2016. is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong emotional response from the mind, typically fear but also despair, anxiety, disgust or sadness. The dream may contain situations o ...

'' (1942) – Arnold – Money Changer * ''

'' (1942) – The Vicar * '' My Kingdom for a Cook'' (1943) – Dexter * '' Two Weeks to Live'' (1943) – Professor Albert Frisby * '' This Land Is Mine'' (1943) – Judge * '' Above Suspicion'' (1943) – Porter in Oxford (uncredited) * '' My Kingdom for a Cook'' (1943) – Professor Harlow * '' Government Girl'' (1943) – Judge Leonard (uncredited) * ''

Jane Eyre ''Jane Eyre'' ( ; originally published as ''Jane Eyre: An Autobiography'') is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The firs ...

'' (1943) – Mr. Woods – the Minister (uncredited) * '' The Uninvited'' (1944) – Will Hardy – Tobacconist (uncredited) * ''

The Hour Before the Dawn ''The Hour Before the Dawn'' is a 1944 American drama war film directed by Frank Tuttle starring Franchot Tone and Veronica Lake. It was based on the 1942 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Plot In 1923 in England, General Hetherton is instructi ...

'' (1944) – Magistrate (uncredited) * '' My Girl Tisa'' (1948) – Old Man (uncredited)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Ivan F. 1875 births 1951 deaths Scottish male film actors Scottish male stage actors Scottish male silent film actors British emigrants to the United States Male actors from Glasgow 20th-century Scottish male actors Burials at Kensico Cemetery