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:

[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.


[Robert Donat's final line in his final film]
The Mandarin: We shall not see each other again, I think. Farewell, Jen-Ai.


Edmond Dantes: Please believe I've put my task above the mean level of personal vengeance. I am exposing criminals, not for their sins against myself but for their black injustices to others... not only for what they have done but for what they continue to do. They are the ones devoid of all humanity, the ones that profitted by the sufferings of others.
Mercedes de Rosas: Whom will it profit if you kill my son?
Edmond Dantes: Surely you don't think this duel part of my design!
Mercedes de Rosas: What else am I to think, knowing how skillfully you have destroyed the others?
[Monte Cristo turns away; she follows him]
Mercedes de Rosas: Let me tell you about Albert. He worships you. Never in his life has he felt such a strong affection for anyone but me. He never understood his father; there was no bond of sympathy between them. Why? Because that was a part of my design. I reared him in the image of the man I loved. He is the son Edmond Dantes would have had. I had hoped that he'd be claimed by Monte Cristo.
Edmond Dantes: [pause, then] I claimed him long ago, Mercedes.


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Best Actor Oscar 1939






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Robert Donat on the
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Robert Donat Facts
His last words on screen are: "We shall not see each other again, I think". "Farewell, Jen-Ai". (Spoken to 'Ingrid Bergman's' character 'Jen-Ai' ("the one who loves people") in 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'). He passed away shortly after filming was completed.

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.

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