Denholme Elliot is a British actor who has appeared in over 120 films and several television series. He became known for the brilliant performance of his charismatic, flamboyant, and sometimes eccentric roles.
Biography
Denholme Mitchell Elliot, this is how the full name of the actor sounds, was born on May 31, 1922 in London, England in the family of Miles Leyman Farr Elliot and Nina Mitchell. Denholme became the second child in the family. The actor had an older brother, Neil. His father worked as a lawyer. He later joined the British Army and was appointed Solicitor General of the "Mandatory Government in Palestine."
Born into a family with a small theater background, Denholme Elliot had no artistic inclinations during his childhood. After graduating from Malvern College, he entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. But at the end of the first semester, he was asked to leave the school. Elliott later joined the Royal Air Force. The time of his service fell on the beginning of the Second World War. Performing another flight over enemy targets, he was shot down and captured, where he remained until the end of the war. It was during this period that he developed an interest in drama. While in a prisoner of war camp, he actively participated in amateur performances, and later they began to offer him roles in films.
In 1987, the actor found out about his illness. He was diagnosed with AIDS. Against the background of HIV infection, tuberculosis developed, from which Denholme Elliot died on October 6, 1992. It happened on the Spanish island of Ibiza. In memory of him, Susan Robinson, his wife, founded the Denholm Elliott Project.
Career
In 1949, Denholme Elliot made his debut in the motion picture Dear Mr. Prohack, in which he played Oswald Morfrey. After this work, and in the 50s in general, the actor appeared in small roles in several films. Among them are "The Sound Barrier" (1952), "The crux of the matter" (1953), "Cruel Sea" (1953), "Life on loan" (1954), "Those who decide" (1954) and "The night in which I destined to perish "(1955).
In 1966, Elliot appeared as an abortion doctor in the comedy-drama film Holly. In the same year he was invited to star in the British TV series "The Man in Room 17". He appeared in 13 episodes as Imlak Defraits. In 1970, Denholme Elliott starred in the Anglo-American war film Too Late, Hero. The motion picture narrated about the events that took place during the Second World War. Elliott starred as Captain Hornsby, an officer known for his reckless bravery. In 1972, the actor starred in the television play Follow the Yellow Brick Road, playing Jack Black. "Jack" has been portrayed as a victim of psychiatric disorders with eccentric behavior. The character was beautifully shown by the actor.
In 1976, Elliott starred in the BBC television adaptation of Charles Dickens' short story The Signal Man. In the series, the actor again performed the main role. His work as a man bordering on insanity was greeted with thunderous applause. In 1980, Elliot received a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor. In 1983 he received an award for his work on the American comedy Trading Places. In the film, he was a butler named Coleman. In 1984, the actor received an award for his role as Dr. Charles Suobi in the British comedy "Private Celebration". The following year, his work as Vernon Bayliss in the thriller Defense of the State brought him the coveted recognition for the third time. In 1985, Elliot appeared as Mr. Emerson in A Room with a View. His character in the film is an upper-middle-class Englishman who does not have any of the ideals that exist in a conservative society. For this convincing work, Denholme Elliot was nominated for the prestigious Oscar. In 1981, he appeared as Dr. Brody in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. His character was a colleague of Indiana Jones, the main character of the picture. In 1989, he played the same role in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In 1992 he took part in the filming of the film "Crazy Stage", which was the last work in his acting career. Elliot portrayed Selsdon Mowbray, an actor addicted to alcohol.
Although Denholme Elliot did not star in any of the leading roles in the film, he was an acclaimed supporting star. Over the years, he has played alcoholics, con men and other eccentric characters. In 1988, the actor's merits in the development of cinema were awarded the Order of the Knights of the British Empire.
Denholme Elliot spoke openly about his bisexuality. However, he was married twice. His first wife was British actress Virginia McKenna.
The couple got married in 1954. But a few years later, in 1957, they divorced. His second wife was actress Susan Robinson, who gave birth to Denholm two children - Mark and Jennifer.
Two years after the death of the actor, his wife published the book Denholm Elliott: Quest for Love. In it, the widow described the details of Elliot's bisexuality and their marriage. In 2003, Jennifer, the actor's daughter, committed suicide by hanging. And on April 12, 2007, Susan Robinson passed away. She died in a fire in her London apartment.
