Lionel Jeffries

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Lionel Charles Jeffries (born June 10, 1926 in the London Borough of Lewisham , † February 19, 2010 in Poole , Dorset ) was a British actor , screenwriter and film director .

life and work

Lionel Jeffries attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and, after serving in the Second World War, studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art . He later played for two years at the David Garrick Theater and appeared in early British television plays .

From then on, he built a successful career in British films in mostly comic character roles. Because he went bald unusually early , he often portrayed figures older than himself. For example, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang he played the role of the father of Caractacus Potts, who was played by Dick Van Dyke , although Jeffries is actually six months younger than Van Dyke. His acting career peaked in the 1960s in leading roles in other films such as The Green Minna (1960), Fanny (1961), The Man with the Green Carnation (1960), Murderer ahoy! ( Miss Marple film with Margaret Rutherford ) (1964), The First Journey to the Moon (1964) and Camelot - At the Court of King Arthur (1968).

He switched to children's films in the 1970s, scripting and directing, including the acclaimed film Every Morning The Same Train Stops (1970). He was also a member of the British Catholic Stage Guild.

Jeffries died on February 19, 2010 after a long illness in Poole in a nursing home.

Filmography (selection)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Jeffries, Lionel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Jeffries, Lionel Charles (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British actor, film director and screenwriter
DATE OF BIRTH June 10, 1926
PLACE OF BIRTH Forest Hill , London , England
DATE OF DEATH February 19, 2010
Place of death Poole , Dorset