Skelton Knaggs: Difference between revisions

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Knaggs was born in the [[Hillsborough, South Yorkshire|Hillsborough]] district of [[Sheffield]], [[England]]. Knaggs moved to [[London]] where he trained as an actor at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]], and subsequently became a [[Shakespearean]] actor. In addition to appearing on stage in Shakespeare's ''[[Cymbeline]]'', Knaggs appeared in a few British films, including an uncredited role as a German orderly in [[Michael Powell]]'s ''[[The Spy in Black]]''.
Knaggs was born in the [[Hillsborough, South Yorkshire|Hillsborough]] district of [[Sheffield]], [[England]]. Knaggs moved to [[London]] where he trained as an actor at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]], and subsequently became a [[Shakespearean]] actor. In addition to appearing on stage in Shakespeare's ''[[Cymbeline]]'', Knaggs appeared in a few British films, including an uncredited role as a German orderly in [[Michael Powell]]'s ''[[The Spy in Black]]''.


At some point he moved to [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] and found work as a character actor in [[Hollywood]]. Diminutive and distinctive-looking, with strongly featured pock-marked face and charismatically voiced with an English [[Midlands]] provincial accent, he was cast in sinister roles, often in horror films. These ranged from uncredited bit parts to prominent roles in the [[Sherlock Holmes]] thriller ''[[Terror by Night]]'', the all-star monster rally ''[[House of Dracula]]'' and three [[Val Lewton]] productions including ''[[The Ghost Ship]]''. In the latter, a voice-over narrative by Knaggs is heard, representing the thoughts of his character, a mute seaman.
At some point he moved to [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] and found work as a character actor in [[Hollywood]]. Diminutive and distinctive-looking, with a strongly featured pock-marked face and charismatically voiced with an English [[Midlands]] provincial accent, he was cast in sinister roles, often in horror films. These ranged from uncredited bit parts to prominent roles in the [[Sherlock Holmes]] thriller ''[[Terror by Night]]'', the all-star monster rally ''[[House of Dracula]]'' and three [[Val Lewton]] productions including ''[[The Ghost Ship]]''. In the latter, a voice-over narrative by Knaggs is heard, representing the thoughts of his character, a mute seaman.


Back in London, he married Thelma Crawshaw in 1949, then returned to Hollywood. The last film in which he appeared was [[Fritz Lang]]'s period adventure based on [[J. Meade Falkner]]'s novel ''[[Moonfleet]]''.
Back in London, he married Thelma Crawshaw in 1949, then returned to Hollywood. The last film in which he appeared was [[Fritz Lang]]'s period adventure based on [[J. Meade Falkner]]'s novel ''[[Moonfleet]]''.


==Death==
==Death==

Revision as of 17:58, 30 November 2018

Skelton Knaggs
Knaggs in Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946)
Born
Skelton Barnaby Knaggs

(1911-06-27)27 June 1911
Hillsborough, UK
Died30 April 1955(1955-04-30) (aged 43)
Los Angeles, California, US
OccupationActor
Years active1936–1955
SpouseThelma Crawshaw (1949–?)

Skelton Barnaby Knaggs (27 June 1911 – 30 April 1955) was an English stage actor who also appeared in films, especially in horror films.[1][2][3]

Biography

Knaggs was born in the Hillsborough district of Sheffield, England. Knaggs moved to London where he trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and subsequently became a Shakespearean actor. In addition to appearing on stage in Shakespeare's Cymbeline, Knaggs appeared in a few British films, including an uncredited role as a German orderly in Michael Powell's The Spy in Black.

At some point he moved to Los Angeles, California and found work as a character actor in Hollywood. Diminutive and distinctive-looking, with a strongly featured pock-marked face and charismatically voiced with an English Midlands provincial accent, he was cast in sinister roles, often in horror films. These ranged from uncredited bit parts to prominent roles in the Sherlock Holmes thriller Terror by Night, the all-star monster rally House of Dracula and three Val Lewton productions including The Ghost Ship. In the latter, a voice-over narrative by Knaggs is heard, representing the thoughts of his character, a mute seaman.

Back in London, he married Thelma Crawshaw in 1949, then returned to Hollywood. The last film in which he appeared was Fritz Lang's period adventure based on J. Meade Falkner's novel Moonfleet.

Death

An alcoholic, Knaggs died of cirrhosis of the liver in Los Angeles in 1955 at the age of 43. His body was buried in the 'Hollywood Forever Cemetery' in Los Angeles.[4]

Selected filmography

As Finn the Mute in The Ghost Ship (1943)

References

  1. ^ Crowther, Bosley (25 December 1943). "THE SCREEN; A Chilly Christmas". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "THE SCREEN". The New York Times. 9 February 1946.
  3. ^ Crowther, Bosley (22 December 1945). "THE SCREEN; 'It Happened at Inn,' French Picture of Humor and Violence, Has Splendid Cast--Horror Film Opens". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Entry for Knaggs in Findagrave website (2018). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8966431

External links

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