John Reginald Owen (5 August 1887 – 5 November 1972) was a British actor, known for his many roles in British and American films and television programmes.

Career

Owen was born to Joseph and Frances Owen in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, England. He studied at the

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 ...

and made his professional debut in 1905. Sometime prior to 1911 Owen met the author Mrs. Clifford Mills. On hearing her idea of a rainbow story, persuaded her to turn it into a play, which became '' Where the Rainbow Ends''. He co-authored the work with Mills using the pseudonym John Ramsey. That December he starred as Saint George in its first production, which opened to very good reviews. He went to the United States in 1920 and performed on Broadway. He later moved to Hollywood, where he began a lengthy film career, becoming a familiar face in many

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...

productions. Owen is perhaps best known today for his performance as

Ebenezer Scrooge Ebenezer Scrooge () is a fictional character and the protagonist of Charles Dickens's 1843 novel, ''A Christmas Carol''. Initially a cold-hearted miser who despises Christmas, his redemption by visits from the ghost of Jacob Marley, the G ...

in the 1938 film version of

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and Social criticism, social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by ...

' ''

A Christmas Carol ''A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas'', commonly known as ''A Christmas Carol'', is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. It recounts the ...

'', a role he inherited from Lionel Barrymore, who had played the part on the radio for years. Reginald Owen in Petticoat Fever trailer

Owen was one of several actors to play both

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 ...

and his companion Dr. Watson, assaying Watson in the film ''

'' (1932) starring Clive Brook as Holmes, and then Holmes in ''

A Study in Scarlet ''A Study in Scarlet'' is an 1887 Detective fiction, detective novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle. The story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who would go on to become one of the most well-known detective ...

'' (1933). Later in his career, Owen appeared with James Garner in the television series '' Maverick'' in the episodes " The Belcastle Brand" (1957) and " Gun-Shy" (1958) and guest starred in episodes of the series ''

One Step Beyond One Step Beyond may refer to: Music * ''One Step Beyond'' (Dungeon album) or the title song, 2004 * ''One Step Beyond'' (Jackie McLean album), 1963 * '' One Step Beyond...'', an album by Madness, or the title song (see below), 1979 * ''One Ste ...

'', ''

Kentucky Jones ''Kentucky Jones'' is an American comedy-drama television series starring Dennis Weaver which centers around a widowed Southern California veterinarian and rancher raising an adopted Chinese boy. Original episodes aired from September 19, 1964, u ...

'', and '' Bewitched''. He was featured in the

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...

films ''

Mary Poppins Mary Poppins may refer to: * Mary Poppins (character), a nanny with magical powers * Mary Poppins (franchise), based on the fictional nanny ** Mary Poppins (book series), ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fanta ...

'' (1964) and '' Bedknobs and Broomsticks'' (1971). He had a small role in the 1962

Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen; June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genr ...

production of the

Jules Verne Jules Gabriel Verne (;''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''. ; 8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the ''Voyages extraor ...

novel '' Five Weeks in a Balloon''. In August 1964, his mansion in Bel Air was rented to

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

, who were performing at the Hollywood Bowl, when no hotel would book them.Author: A.J.S. Rayl; Book: "Beatles '64"; New York, Doubleday, 1989; page 96

Death

Owen died from a heart attack at age 85 in

Boise, Idaho Boise ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Idaho, most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, there were 235,685 people residing in the city. Loca ...

, and buried at the Morris Hill Cemetery there.

Filmography

* ''

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

'' (1911) as Thomas Cromwell * '' Sally in Our Alley'' (1916) as Harry * '' A Place in the Sun'' (1916) as Stuart Capel * '' Possession'' (1922) as Lord Wheatley * '' The Grass Orphan'' (1922) as Heathcote St. John * '' The Letter'' (1929) as Robert Crosbie * '' The Man in Possession'' (1931) as Claude Dabney * '' Platinum Blonde'' (1931) as Grayson * '' Lovers Courageous'' (1932) as Jimmy * '' A Woman Commands'' (1932) as The Prime Minister * '' The Man Called Back'' (1932) as Dr. Atkins * '' Downstairs'' (1932) as Baron 'Nicky' von Burgen * ''

'' (1932) as Dr. Watson * '' Robbers' Roost'' (1932) as Cecil Herrick * ''

'' (1933) as Sherlock Holmes * '' The Narrow Corner'' (1933) as Mr. Frith * '' Double Harness'' (1933) as Freeman * ''

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) as King Louis XV * '' The Big Brain'' (1933) as Lord Darlington * '' Queen Christina'' (1933) as Charles X Gustav of Sweden * '' Nana'' (1934) as Bordenave * ''

Mandalay Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar, after Yangon. It is located on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, 631 km (392 mi) north of Yangon. In 2014, the city had a population of 1,225,553. Mandalay was founded in 1857 by Ki ...

'' (1934) as Col. Thomas Dawson - Police Commissioner * '' Fashions of 1934'' (1934) as Oscar Baroque * '' The House of Rothschild'' (1934) as Herries * '' The Countess of Monte Cristo'' (1934) as The Baron * '' Where Sinners Meet'' (1934) as Leonard * '' Stingaree'' (1934) as The Governor-General * ''

Madame Du Barry Jeanne Bécu, comtesse du Barry (; 28 August 1744 – 8 December 1793) was the last ''maîtresse-en-titre'' of King Louis XV of France. She was executed by guillotine during the French Revolution on accusations of treason—particularly being ...

'' (1934) as King Louis XV * '' Of Human Bondage'' (1934) as Thorpe Athelny * '' The Human Side'' (1934) as James Dalton * '' Music in the Air'' (1934) as Ernst Weber * '' Here Is My Heart'' (1934) as Prince Vladimir / Vova * '' The Good Fairy'' (1935) as Detlaff, the Waiter * '' Enchanted April'' (1935) as Henry Arbuthnot * '' Escapade'' (1935) as Paul * '' The Call of the Wild'' (1935) as Mr. Smith * '' Anna Karenina'' (1935) as Stiva * '' The Bishop Misbehaves'' (1935) as Guy Waller * ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by English author Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long impr ...

'' (1935) as Stryver * '' Rose Marie'' (1936) as Myerson * '' Petticoat Fever'' (1936) as Sir James Felton * ''

The Great Ziegfeld ''The Great Ziegfeld'' is a 1936 American musical film, musical drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Hunt Stromberg. It stars William Powell as the theatrical impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld Jr., Lui ...

'' (1936) as Sampston * '' Trouble for Two'' (1936) as President of Club * '' Yours for the Asking'' (1936) as Dictionary McKinney * '' The Girl on the Front Page'' (1936) as Archie Biddle * '' Adventure in Manhattan'' (1936) as Blackton Gregory * '' Love on the Run'' (1936) as Baron Otto Spanderman * '' Dangerous Number'' (1937) as Cousin William * ''

Personal Property Personal property is property that is movable. In common law systems, personal property may also be called chattels or personalty. In civil law (legal system), civil law systems, personal property is often called movable property or movables—a ...

'' (1937) as Claude Dabney * '' Madame X'' (1937) as Maurice Dourel * '' The Bride Wore Red'' (1937) as Admiral Monti * ''

Conquest Conquest involves the annexation or control of another entity's territory through war or Coercion (international relations), coercion. Historically, conquests occurred frequently in the international system, and there were limited normative or ...

'' (1937) as Tallyrand * '' Rosalie'' (1937) as Chancellor * '' Everybody Sing'' (1938) as Hillary Bellaire * '' Paradise for Three'' (1938) as Johann Kesselhut * '' Kidnapped'' (1938) as Captain Hoseason * '' Three Loves Has Nancy'' (1938) as William, the Butler * '' Vacation from Love'' (1938) as John Hodge Lawson * ''

'' (1938) as

* '' The Girl Downstairs'' (1938) as Charlie Grump * '' Fast and Loose'' (1939) as Vincent Charlton * '' Hotel Imperial'' (1939) as General Videnko * '' Bridal Suite'' (1939) as Sir Horace Bragdon * '' The Real Glory'' (1939) as Capt. Hartley * '' Bad Little Angel'' (1939) as Edwards, Marvin's Valet * '' Remember?'' (1939) as Mr. Bronson * '' The Earl of Chicago'' (1940) as Gervase Gonwell * '' The Ghost Comes Home'' (1940) as Hemingway * '' Florian'' (1940) as Emperor Franz Josef * '' Hullabaloo'' (1940) as 'Buzz' Foster * '' Blonde Inspiration'' (1941) as Reginald * '' Free and Easy'' (1941) as Sir George Kelvin * '' A Woman's Face'' (1941) as Bernard Dalvik * '' They Met in Bombay'' (1941) as General Allen * '' Charley's Aunt'' (1941) as Redcliff * '' Lady Be Good'' (1941) as Max Milton * '' A Yank in the R.A.F.'' (1941) as 'Internal Injury' in Air raid drill (uncredited) * '' Tarzan's Secret Treasure'' (1941) as Professor Elliott * '' Woman of the Year'' (1942) as Clayton * '' We Were Dancing'' (1942) as Major Berty Tyler-Blane * ''

Mrs. Miniver ''Mrs. Miniver'' is a 1942 American romantic war drama film directed by William Wyler, and starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Inspired by the 1940 novel '' Mrs. Miniver'' by Jan Struther, it shows how the life of an unassuming Britis ...

'' (1942) as Foley * '' I Married an Angel'' (1942) as 'Whiskers' * '' Pierre of the Plains'' (1942) as Noah Glenkins * ''

Cairo Cairo ( ; , ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate, being home to more than 10 million people. It is also part of the List of urban agglomerations in Africa, largest urban agglomeration in Africa, L ...

'' (1942) as Philo Cobson * '' Somewhere I'll Find You'' (1942) as Willie Manning * ''

White Cargo ''White Cargo'' is a 1942 American drama film starring Hedy Lamarr and Walter Pidgeon, and directed by Richard Thorpe. Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it is based on the 1923 London and Broadway hit play by Leon Gordon (playwright), Leon Gord ...

'' (1942) as Skipper of the Congo Queen * '' Random Harvest'' (1942) as 'Biffer' * '' Reunion in France'' (1942) as Schultz * '' Forever and a Day'' (1943) as Simpson * '' Assignment in Brittany'' (1943) as Colonel Trane * '' Above Suspicion'' (1943) as Dr. Mespelbrunn * '' Three Hearts for Julia'' (1943) as John Girard * '' Salute to the Marines'' (1943) as Mr. Henry Caspar * '' Madame Curie'' (1943) as Dr. Becquerel * '' The Canterville Ghost'' (1944) as Lord Canterville * '' National Velvet'' (1944) as Farmer Ede * ''

The Picture of Dorian Gray ''The Picture of Dorian Gray'' is an 1890 philosophical fiction and Gothic fiction, Gothic horror fiction, horror novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of the American period ...

'' (1945) as Lord George Farmour (uncredited) * '' The Valley of Decision'' (1945) as McCready * '' Kitty'' (1945) as Duke of Malmunster * '' She Went to the Races'' (1945) as Dr. Pembroke * ''

Captain Kidd William Kidd (c. 1645 – 23 May 1701), also known as Captain William Kidd or simply Captain Kidd, was a Scottish-American privateer. Conflicting accounts exist regarding his early life, but he was likely born in Dundee and later settled in Ne ...

'' (1945) as Cary Shadwell * '' The Sailor Takes a Wife'' (1945) as Mr. Amboy * '' The Diary of a Chambermaid'' (1946) as Captain Lanlaire * '' Cluny Brown'' (1946) as Sir Henry Carmel * '' Monsieur Beaucaire'' (1946) as King Louis XV * ''Piccadilly Incident'' (1946) as Judge * ''The Imperfect Lady (1947 film), The Imperfect Lady'' (1947) as Mr. Hopkins * ''Thunder in the Valley (film), Thunder in the Valley'' (1947) as James Moore * ''Green Dolphin Street (film), Green Dolphin Street'' (1947) as Captain O'Hara * ''If Winter Comes'' (1947) as Mr. Fortune * ''The Pirate (1948 film), The Pirate'' (1948) as The Advocate * ''Julia Misbehaves'' (1948) as Benjamin Hawkins * ''The Three Musketeers (1948 film), The Three Musketeers'' (1948) as Treville * ''Hills of Home (film), Hills of Home'' (1948) as Hopps * ''The Secret Garden (1949 film), The Secret Garden'' (1949) as Ben Weatherstaff * ''Challenge to Lassie'' (1949) as Sergeant Davie * ''The Miniver Story'' (1950) as Mr. Foley * ''Kim (1950 film), Kim'' (1950) as Father Victor * ''Grounds for Marriage'' (1951) as Dely Delacorte * ''The Great Diamond Robbery'' (1954) as Bainbridge Gibbons * ''Red Garters (film), Red Garters'' (1954) as Judge Wallace Winthrop * ''While the City Sleeps (1956 film), While the City Sleeps'' (1956) as Steven (Vincent Price's Butler, Uncredited) * ''Darby's Rangers'' (1958) as Sir Arthur Hollister * ''Five Weeks in a Balloon (film), Five Weeks in a Balloon'' (1962) as Consul * ''Tammy and the Doctor'' (1963) as Jason Tripp * ''The Thrill of It All (film), The Thrill of It All'' (1963) as Old Tom Fraleigh * ''Voice of the Hurricane'' (1964) as Nigel Charter * ''

'' (1964) as Admiral Boom * ''Rosie!'' (1967) as Patrick * '' Bedknobs and Broomsticks'' (1971) as Major General Sir Brian Teagler

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Owen, Reginald 1887 births 1972 deaths Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art English male film actors English male stage actors English male television actors Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players People from Wheathampstead 20th-century English male actors Male actors from Hertfordshire British expatriate male actors in the United States Actors from the City of St Albans

Career

Death

Filmography

References

Further reading

External links