Richard Wattis

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Richard Wattis (born February 25, 1912 in Staffordshire , Great Britain , † February 1, 1975 in London ) was an English actor .

life and career

Richard Wattis was born in Staffordshire, England, the elder of two sons to a wealthy family. He attended King Edward's School and Bromsgrove School . He then worked as an electrical engineer before turning to acting and starring in London's West End, among other places. He took on his first film role in 1938 in the comedy Der Lausbub aus Amerika , but a deployment in World War II as a second lieutenant interrupted his acting career for a few years. In the 1950s and 1960s, Wattis became known as a supporting actor in many British comedies and was considered one of the most beloved character actors in British film. The gaunt actor with the round glasses was best known for his funny depictions of dull or boastful authority figures, such as officials.

Perhaps his best-known role is that of the humorless school clerk Manton Bassett in the St Trinian's film series. Wattis also had a bigger appearance in the comedy The Prince and the Dancer (1957) on the side of Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe . Occasionally Wattis also played in films of the former nature such as the star-studded war epic The Longest Day of 1962. Richard Wattis worked as an actor until his death and most recently had a role in the television series Sykes . Between 1938 and 1975 Richard Wattis acted in over a hundred films. The actor was never married and was considered homosexual. He died of a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 62 while dining at his favorite restaurant.

Filmography (selection)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Richard Wattis' biography at Allmovie

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Wattis, Richard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English actor
DATE OF BIRTH February 25, 1912
PLACE OF BIRTH Staffordshire
DATE OF DEATH 1st February 1975
Place of death London