James Mason
- Acting
- May 15, 1909 · Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK
- July 27, 1984
Biography
James Neville Mason (known as James Mason; May 15, 1909 – July 27, 1984) was an English actor who made a significant impact on both British and American cinema. His acting career began in the 1930s, where he initially gained recognition for his stage performances in London's West End. He made his film debut in 1935 with the British film "Late Extra," marking the start of his illustrious on-screen journey. Throughout his career, Mason showcased his exceptional acting abilities, often portraying complex and morally ambiguous characters. His commanding presence, distinctive voice, and versatile range allowed him to effortlessly transition between genres, from dramas to thrillers and even period pieces. One of Mason's most acclaimed performances came in 1945 when he starred as the troubled and enigmatic Johnny McQueen in the film "Odd Man Out." His portrayal of the wounded Irish nationalist earned him widespread praise and established him as a respected leading man. Mason's notable filmography includes memorable roles in films such as "The Wicked Lady" (1945), "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" (1951), "A Star Is Born" (1954), "North by Northwest" (1959), and "Lolita" (1962). His ability to bring depth, sophistication, and complexity to his characters captivated audiences and garnered critical acclaim. Beyond his film career, Mason also dabbled in producing and directing. He co-produced and starred in the acclaimed film "A Star Is Born," showcasing his multifaceted talent and creative vision. Throughout his life, Mason was recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including three Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. He was highly regarded by his peers and critics alike for his impeccable craft and his ability to elevate any production he was a part of.
Known for
Filmography
- Kubrick by Kubrick · Self
- Sid & Judy · Self
- Churchill and the Movie Mogul · Self
- Bob the Builder: Building Sky High · Writer
- Talking Pictures · Self
- Lasseter's Bones · Archival Footage
- Passion & Poetry: Sam Peckinpah's War · In Memory Of
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical · Self
- Sir John Mills' Moving Memories · Self
- Roger Moore: A Matter of Class · Self
- Halloween Monster Bash · Stephen Deremid (archive footage)
- The Assisi Underground · Bishop Nicolini
- A.D. · Tiberius
- The Shooting Party · Sir Randolph Nettleby
- Dr. Fischer of Geneva · Dr. Fischer
- George Washington · Gen. Edward Braddock
- James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate · Self
- House Without Foundation · Self
- Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art · Demon
- Yellowbeard · Captain Hughes
- Group Madness · Self
- Unknown Chaplin · Narrator (Voice)
- Alexandre · The Father
- The Popes and Their Art · Presentor
- The Verdict · Ed Concannon
- A Dangerous Summer · George Engels
- The Glory of the Garden · Narrator
- Night of 100 Stars · Self
- Evil Under the Sun · Odell Gardener
- Ivanhoe · Isaac of York
- The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' · Self / Odell Gardener
- The Search for Alexander the Great · Narrator
- North Sea Hijack · Admiral Brindsen
- Hollywood · Self
- Salem's Lot · Richard K. Straker
- Bloodline · Sir Alec Nichols
- The Passage · Professor Bergson
- Murder by Decree · Dr. Watson
- The Boys from Brazil · Eduard Seibert
- Heaven Can Wait · Mr. Jordan
- The Water Babies · Mr. Grimes / Voice of Killer Shark
- Homage to Chagall: The Colours of Love · Narrator - English version
- Jesus of Nazareth · Joseph of Arimathea
- Cross of Iron · Oberst Brandt
- Voyage of the Damned · Dr. Juan Remos
- Origins of the Mafia · Vianisi
- People of the Wind · Jafar Qoli (Voice)
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy · (archive footage)
- Fear in the City · Chief of Police
- The Flower in His Mouth · Avv. Antonio Bellocampo
- Inside Out · Ernst Furben
- Autobiography of a Princess · Cyril Sahib
- The Left Hand of the Law · Senatore Leandri
- Kidnap Syndicate · Filippini
- Mandingo · Warren Maxwell
- The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go · Y.Y. Go
- 11 Harrowhouse · Charles D. Watts
- Frankenstein: The True Story · Dr. John Polidori
- The Marseille Contract · Jacques Brizard
- Great Expectations · Magwitch
- Frankenstein: The True Story · Dr. John Polidori
- The MacKintosh Man · Sir George Wheeler
- The Last of Sheila · Philip Dexter
- The Reformation: Age of Revolt · Narrator
- John Keats: His Life and Death · Narrator
- Child's Play · Jerome Malley
- Home, James · Self
- The Wind in the Wires · Narrator
- Kill! · Alan Hamilton
- Appointment With Destiny · Narrator
- Film '72 · Self
- Bad Man's River · Francisco Paco Montero
- The Search for the Nile · Narrator
- V.I.P. Schaukel · Self
- Cold Sweat · Captain Ross
- Spring and Port Wine · Rafe Crompton
- Age of Consent · Bradley Morahan, Producer
- The Sea Gull · Trigorin
- The London Nobody Knows · Self
- Mayerling · Franz Joseph I of Austria