James Mason

James Mason

Born May 15, 1909 (Age: 116) Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK

Biography

James Neville Mason, known as James Mason, was an accomplished English actor who made a significant impact on both British and American cinema. He was born on May 15, 1909, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, and passed away on July 27, 1984, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Mason's 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.
James Neville Mason, known as James Mason, was an accomplished English actor who made a significant impact on both British and American cinema. He was born on May 15, 1909, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, and passed away on July 27, 1984, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Mason's 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.
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Filmography

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical

2009 as Self (archive) Age: 99
Sir John Mills' Moving Memories

Sir John Mills' Moving Memories

2000 as Self (archive footage) Age: 91
The Assisi Underground

The Assisi Underground

1985 as Bishop Nicolini Age: 75
The Shooting Party

The Shooting Party

1985 as Sir Randolph Nettleby Age: 75
James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate

James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate

1984 as Self Age: 74
Yellowbeard

Yellowbeard

1983 as Captain Hughes Age: 74
The Verdict

The Verdict

1982 as Ed Concannon Age: 73
Evil Under the Sun

Evil Under the Sun

1982 as Odell Gardener Age: 72
The Search for Alexander the Great

The Search for Alexander the Great

1981 as Narrator Age: 71
North Sea Hijack

North Sea Hijack

1980 as Admiral Brindsen Age: 70
Bloodline

Bloodline

1979 as Sir Alec Nichols Age: 70
The Boys from Brazil

The Boys from Brazil

1978 as Eduard Seibert Age: 69
Heaven Can Wait

Heaven Can Wait

1978 as Mr. Jordan Age: 69
The Water Babies

The Water Babies

1978 as Mr. Grimes / Voice of Killer Shark Age: 69
Cross of Iron

Cross of Iron

1977 as Oberst Brandt Age: 67
11 Harrowhouse

11 Harrowhouse

1974 as Charles D. Watts Age: 65
Frankenstein: The True Story

Frankenstein: The True Story

1974 as Dr. John Polidori Age: 65
The Marseille Contract

The Marseille Contract

1974 as Jacques Brizard Age: 65
Great Expectations

Great Expectations

1974 as Magwitch Age: 64
The MacKintosh Man

The MacKintosh Man

1973 as Sir George Wheeler Age: 64
The Last of Sheila

The Last of Sheila

1973 as Philip Dexter Age: 64
The Reformation: Age of Revolt

The Reformation: Age of Revolt

1973 as Narrator Age: 63
John Keats: His Life and Death

John Keats: His Life and Death

1973 as Narrator Age: 63
Child's Play

Child's Play

1972 as Jerome Malley Age: 63
Home, James

Home, James

1972 as Self Age: 63
The Wind in the Wires

The Wind in the Wires

1972 as Narrator Age: 63
Age of Consent

Age of Consent

1969 as Bradley Morahan Age: 59
Uncertain Verification

Uncertain Verification

1965 as (archive footage) Age: 55
The Uninhibited

The Uninhibited

1965 as Pascal Regnier Age: 55
Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan

1965 as Kam Ling Age: 55
Lord Jim

Lord Jim

1965 as Gentleman Brown Age: 55
The Pumpkin Eater

The Pumpkin Eater

1964 as Bob Conway Age: 55
The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire

1964 as Timonides Age: 54
Torpedo Bay

Torpedo Bay

1963 as Captain Blayne Age: 54
Hero's Island

Hero's Island

1962 as Jacob Weber Age: 53
Tiara Tahiti

Tiara Tahiti

1962 as Captain Brett Aimsley Age: 53
Lolita

Lolita

1962 as Prof. Humbert Humbert Age: 53
Escape from Zahrain

Escape from Zahrain

1962 as Johnson Age: 53
Theatre 62: Rebecca

Theatre 62: Rebecca

1962 as Maxim de Winter Age: 52
The Marriage-Go-Round

The Marriage-Go-Round

1961 as Paul Delville Age: 51
John Brown's Raid

John Brown's Raid

1960 as John Brown Age: 51
The Trials of Oscar Wilde

The Trials of Oscar Wilde

1960 as Edward Carson Age: 51
The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place

1960 as Hans Frick Age: 50
A Touch of Larceny

A Touch of Larceny

1960 as Cmdr. Max Easton Age: 50
Journey to the Center of the Earth

Journey to the Center of the Earth

1959 as Sir Oliver S. Lindenbrook Age: 50
North by Northwest

North by Northwest

1959 as Phillip Vandamm Age: 50
The Decks Ran Red

The Decks Ran Red

1958 as Capt. Edwin Rummill Age: 49
Cry Terror!

Cry Terror!

1958 as Jim Molner Age: 48
Bigger Than Life

Bigger Than Life

1956 as Ed Avery Age: 47
Forever, Darling

Forever, Darling

1956 as The Guardian Angel Age: 46
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

1954 as Captain Nemo Age: 45
The Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

1954 as Himself Age: 45
A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born

1954 as Norman Maine Age: 45
Prince Valiant

Prince Valiant

1954 as Sir Brack Age: 44
The Tell-Tale Heart

The Tell-Tale Heart

1953 as Narrator Age: 44
The Man Between

The Man Between

1953 as Ivo Kern Age: 44
Charade

Charade

1953 as The Murderer / Maj. Linden / Jonah Watson Age: 44
Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

1953 as Brutus Age: 44
The Story of Three Loves

The Story of Three Loves

1953 as Charles Coutray Age: 43
The Desert Rats

The Desert Rats

1953 as Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel Age: 43
One Way Street

One Way Street

1950 as Dr. Frank Matson Age: 40
The Wicked Lady

The Wicked Lady

1945 as Captain Jerry Jackson Age: 36
The Seventh Veil

The Seventh Veil

1945 as Nicholas Cunningham Age: 36
They Were Sisters

They Were Sisters

1945 as Geoffrey Lee Age: 36
A Place of One's Own

A Place of One's Own

1945 as Henry Smedhurst Age: 35
Thunder Rock

Thunder Rock

1942 as Streeter Age: 33
Secret Mission

Secret Mission

1942 as Raoul de Carnot Age: 33
Alibi

Alibi

1942 as Andre Laurent Age: 33
The Night Has Eyes

The Night Has Eyes

1942 as Stephen Deremid Age: 33
Hatter's Castle

Hatter's Castle

1942 as Dr. Renwick Age: 32
The Patient Vanishes

The Patient Vanishes

1941 as Mick Cardby Age: 32