Rupert Davies

5/5

Biography

British actor

  • Primary profession
  • Actor
  • Country
  • United Kingdom
  • Nationality
  • British
  • Gender
  • Male
  • Birth date
  • 22 May 1916
  • Place of birth
  • Liverpool
  • Death date
  • 1976-11-22
  • Death age
  • 60
  • Place of death
  • London
  • Cause of death
  • Natural causes
  • Knows language
  • English language
  • Member of
  • Liberal Party of Canada

Movies

TV

Books

Awards

Trivia

Served as a Sub-Lieutenant (Observer) in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II. In 1940 the Swordfish in which he was flying ditched in the sea off the Dutch Coast. Davies was captured and sent to Stalag Luft III, the camp made famous through The Great Escape . It was in Stalag Luft III that he developed a serious interest in theatre, through entertaining his fellow prisoners. He also made three escape attempts, all of which failed.

British Tabloid newspapers claimed he died penniless in 1976.

Considered for the part of "Doctor Who" when William Hartnell , the original Doctor, left the series in 1966. Patrick Troughton ultimately won the part.

Often regarded as the definitive screen incarnation of Georges Simenons easy-going detective, Chief Inspector Maigret. On the strength of his popularity, Davies was named Television Actor of the Year in 1963.

First acted professionally at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, eventually moving on to the Old Vic.

Joined the Merchant Navy prior to World War II, before becoming an observer in the Fleet Air Arm. Spent five years in a German POW camp, after being shot down behind enemy lines.

He was the first actor to play George Smiley. The character was later played by Alec Guinness and Gary Oldman.

Father of Hogan Davies.

Having become famous playing Inspector Maigret on TV, he then impersonated a Maigret-like character in a series of commercials for Dubonnet, for ITV. Georges Simenon, Maigrets creator, objected to the commercials and had them stopped. Davies regretted this, claiming he had made more money over the few days of filming the commercials than he had in nearly four years of playing Maigret for the BBC.

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