Robert Donat Overview:

Legendary actor, Robert Donat, was born Friedrich Robert Donath on Mar 18, 1905 in Withington, Manchester. Donat died at the age of 53 on Jun 9, 1958 in London, UK and was laid to rest in East Finchley Cemetery and Crematorium in Finchley, Greater London, England.

MINI BIO:

Cheerful, chunky, good-looking British leading man who could do very little wrong in films in the thirties. His forthright, pleasing, open acting style endeared him to audiences, produced a memorable series of characterizations and culminated in his Academy Award for Goodbye Mr. Chips! Later, blighted by persistent asthma, he was less successful by his own high standards, although his mellifluous voice patterns made him ever-popular on radio. Married (second) to actress Renee Asherton; they were separated at the time of his death for a cerebral thrombosis brought on by chronic bronchial asthma. An Oscar nominee for The Citadel.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Robert Donat was nominated for two Academy Awards, winning one for Best Actor for Goodbye, Mr. Chips (as Mr. Chips) in 1939.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1938Best ActorThe Citadel (1938)Andrew MasonNominated
1939Best ActorGoodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)Mr. ChipsWon
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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures.

BlogHub Articles:

and Madeleine Carrol navigate “The 39 Steps”

By Stephen Reginald on Oct 3, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

and Madeleine Carrol navigate “The 39 Steps” The 39 Steps (1935) is a British thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring and Madeleine Carroll. The Screenplay was by Charles Bennett and Ian Hay. It was based on the novel of the same name by John Buc... Read full article


THE BLOGATHON: The 39 Steps, 1935

on Jul 3, 2020 From Caftan Woman

Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting The Blogathon on July 3 - 5. Click HERE to join in the admiration for the fondly remembered actor. was an actor of great commitment and versatility. Over 25 years, Donat appeared in 20 movies, winning an Oscar for Goodbye, Mr.... Read full article


The 39 Steps (1935) with and Madeleine Carroll

By Greg Orypeck on Sep 22, 2016 From Classic Film Freak

Share This! ?There are twenty million women in this island, and I?ve got to be chained to you.??? to Madeleine Carroll In a typical Hitchcockian quirk, or clear evidence of his individuality, the title was to be numeric?The 39 Steps?not letters, as in John Buchan?s 1915 novel,?The Thirt... Read full article


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Robert Donat Quotes:

Edmond Dantes: [referring to the now-insane Danglars] A mental suicide, doctor.
Doctor: Mental suicide?
Edmond Dantes: Yes. He destroyed his mind with an overdose of two deadly poisons.
Doctor: Poisons!
Edmond Dantes: Avarice and Greed


[dying words]
Mr. Chipping 'Mr. Chips': I thought I heard you saying it was a pity... pity I never had any children. But you're wrong. I have. Thousands of them. Thousands of them... and all boys.


Countess Alexandra Vladinoff: [Asking about a bribe] And all he wanted was your wristwatch?
Ainsley J. Fothergill aka Peter Ouronov: [Rhetorically] Well, what use is a wristwatch when trains are to be a week late?


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Best Actor Oscar 1939






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Robert Donat on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame



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Robert Donat Facts
Lobbied for the role of the Chorus in Henry V (1944), but Leslie Banks was cast instead.

Campaigned to be cast against type as Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist (1948), but Robert Newton was cast in the part instead.

Father of John Donat.

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