BIO

Donald Crisp was born George William Crisp in London, England in 1882.   He was one of eight children and was educated at Oxford.   Prior to graduation, Crisp served in the 10th Royal Hussars in the Second Boer War.

While traveling to America, Crisp's singing talents during a ship's concert got him hired on the spot to join a touring opera company. It was during this experience that Crisp first became interested in pursuing a career in the theatre.

From 1908 to 1930 Crisp, in addition to directing dozens of films, also appeared in nearly 100 silent films, many of which were bit parts.   Noted directorial efforts include Don Q, Son of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks.

With the introduction of a soundtrack in films, Crisp moved entirely to acting in the 1930s and became a busy character actor. For the next 2 decades, he appeared in a wide range of roles alongside some of the era's biggest stars.

He was awarded the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in How Green Was My Valley (1941).

During more than a half century as an actor in both the early silent and later the sound era, he appeared in more than 400 short-reel and feature length productions.   His final screen role was in 1963.

Crisp was married twice, divorcing from his first wife, Marie Stark, in 1919.   He later married film screenwriter Jane Murfin in 1932. The couple divorced in 1944.

Crisp died in 1974 in Los Angeles, California, a few months short of his 92nd birthday, due to complications from a series of strokes.

Additional Broadway stage history is available at:

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS

Full filmography at: