Brian Donlevy Overview:

Legendary actor, Brian Donlevy, was born Waldo Brian Donlevy on Feb 9, 1901 in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Donlevy died at the age of 71 on Apr 5, 1972 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles and was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.

MINI BIO:

Gloweringly handsome, strong, mustachioed Irish-born Hollywood actor. After an adventurous early life (including World War I service in Lafayette Escadrille) he drifted into acting, although it was 1935 before he settled permanently in Hollywood. A tough villain of the 1930s, he became a popular semi-star of rugged thrillers and action films in the succeeding decade after his success in the title role of The Great McGinty. Although Donlevy suffered from drinking problems, his forthright performances remained good value in the end. Died from cancer of the throat. Oscar-nominated for his sadistic sergeant in Beau Geste.

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

HONORS and AWARDS:

.

Although Donlevy was nominated for one Oscar, he never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1939Best Supporting ActorBeau Geste (1939)Sergeant MarkoffNominated
.

He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Television.

BlogHub Articles:

Kiss of Death starring Victor Mature, , Coleen Gray, and Richard Widmark in his screen debut

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 21, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

Kiss of Death starring Victor Mature, , Coleen Gray, and Richard Widmark in his screen debut Kiss of Death (1947) is a film noir directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Victor Mature, , and Coleen Gray. It marked the screen debut of Richard Widmark; he earned a Best Su... Read full article


THE GREAT VILLAIN BLOGATHON: as Sergeant Markoff, Beau Geste (1939)

on May 24, 2019 From Caftan Woman

Karen of Shadows and Satin, Kristina of Speakeasy and Ruth of Silver Screenings are hosting The Great Villain Blogathon for 2019. Look for all the baddies on May 24th to the 26th. P.C. Wren's 1924 adventure novel Beau Geste is a touchstone in the genre, giving us the most honourable and lik... Read full article


Warner Archive: , Robert Walker and the True Story of the Atomic Bomb

By KC on Nov 2, 2015 From Classic Movies

This is the story of how the atom bomb was developed--with allowances for dramatic effect and national security of course. A triumph of science which led to unfathomable destruction. MGM faced a delicate task in telling this story. As expected, it contains a heavy dose of propaganda, but the tale i... Read full article


See all articles

Brian Donlevy Quotes:

Maj. Geoffrey Caton: Boys, the honeymoon's over. From now on you're marines.


Steely Edwards: Turn your thousand into a million; you can't lose without tryin'. It's all in the cards. Three-card monte, gentlemen. I want your money. The game's crooked, the cards are fixed, you can't win.


Walter Williams: In this world, you turn the other cheek, and you get hit with a lug wrench.


read more quotes from Brian Donlevy...



Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Also an Aquarius






See All Aquariuses >>
Best Supporting Actor Oscar 1939






See more Best Supporting Actor awards>>
Brian Donlevy on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame



See All Walk of Fame Stars >>
Brian Donlevy Facts
He is the only actor to play Professor Bernard Quatermass on screen more than once, which he did in the Hammer science fiction film The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) and its sequel Quatermass II: Enemy from Space (1957). In spite of this, he was reportedly "Quatermass" creator Nigel Kneale's least favourite actor in the role.

Sassy-talking, rugged-looking, square-shouldered supporting actor said, however, always to have gone through this necessary morning ritual before arriving on the movie set: 1) insert dentures; 2) don hairpiece; 3) strap on corset; 4) lace up "elevator" shoes.

His character, Gil Warren, in In Old Chicago (1937) died as a result of the Chicago fire. His character, Steely Edwards, in 'The Great Man's Lady (1942) died in the San Francisco fire.

See All Related Facts >>
Related Lists
Create a list


See All Related Lists >>