English actor
Began his stage career in 1924.
Took a break from acting and joined the Royal Air Force during World War Two. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and served as the Intelligence Officer for a Spitfire Squadron during 1941 and 1942.
Formerly worked as a bank clerk. Indeed, his perpetually serious, usually bespectacled countenance and often pompous or reproving manner, made for ideal casting as stuffy bank managers, politicians and apoplectic businessmen -- both in straight drama or as comic foil to the likes of Norman Wisdom. Started out on screen after being cast by Alfred Hitchcock in three of his early films, beginning with Juno and the Paycock (1930) . Noted for his turn as Major Grigsby in The Man Who Could Work Miracles .
Uncle of John T. Chapman and Paul Chapman.
Started a petition to force Sir John Gielgud to resign from Equity when the actor was arrested for soliciting in 1953.
Father: Albert E. Chapman; Mother: Eleonora Reunert.
