Geoffrey Toone was an Irish-American actor who is best known for his roles in “The King and I,” “The Entertainer,” and the children’s series “Freewheelers.” He was recognized for his exceptional talent and distinctive appearance throughout a long and varied career.
Personal and Family Life
Geoffrey Toone was born on November 15, 1910, in Dublin, Ireland. He was educated at Charterhouse School and Christ’s College, Cambridge, England. During World War II, he served in the Royal Artillery but was discharged due to injury in 1942. He spent many years living with actor Frank Middlemass, emphasizing his close connections within the acting community.
Career Highlights
Toone emerged as a prominent character actor, noted for his tall stature and ability to portray serious and distinguished roles on stage and screen. He was a part of notable theatre productions during the mid-20th century, including performances with acclaimed actors like Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier. He became particularly well known for his roles in British television series such as “The Avengers” and “Jeeves and Wooster,” and gained additional fame for playing the character Von Gelb in “Freewheelers.”
Death and Legacy
Geoffrey Toone passed away on June 1, 2005, at the age of 94 in Denville Hall, an actor’s home in Northwood, London. His legacy lives on through his extensive body of work in theatre, film, and television, which continues to be celebrated by audiences today.
Filmography
Title | Release Date | Character |
---|---|---|
The Man Between | 1953-11-18 | Martin Mallison |
Dr. Who and the Daleks | 1965-08-23 | Temmosus |
The Terror of the Tongs | 1961-03-15 | Captain Jackson Sale |
Johnny Tremain | 1957-06-19 | Major Pitcairn |
The King and I | 1956-06-29 | Sir Edward Ramsay |
Zero Hour! | 1957-11-13 | Dr. Baird |
Once More, with Feeling! | 1960-02-11 | Dr. Richard Hilliard |
Poison Pen | 1939-07-03 | David |
The Woman’s Angle | 1952-02-12 | Count Cambia |
Luck of the Navy | 1938-11-27 | Cmdr. Clive Stanton |
Dr. Crippen | 1963-08-07 | Mr. Tobin |
Echo of Diana | 1963-05-01 | Colonel Justin |