George Arliss was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “Disraeli,” “The House of Rothschild,” and “Doctor Syn.” He was celebrated for his impactful performances and won the first Academy Award given to a British actor.
Personal and Family Life
George Arliss was born on April 10, 1868, in London, England. He married Florence Arliss on September 14, 1899, and they remained together until his death. Arliss was known for his significant contributions to the arts, including discovering and promoting actress Bette Davis.
Career Achievements
Arliss began his acting career on stage in London and later moved to the United States. He gained fame in films, especially for his portrayal of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in the 1929 film “Disraeli,” which earned him an Academy Award. He was also the first actor to win an Oscar for a performance of a real person.
Death and Legacy
George Arliss passed away on February 5, 1946, in London due to a bronchial ailment. His legacy as one of the pioneering actors in early cinema endures, particularly through his iconic roles and achievements in film history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Syn | 1937-08-25 | Dr Syn |
| Disraeli | 1929-11-01 | Benjamin Disraeli |
| The House of Rothschild | 1934-04-07 | Mayer Rothschild |
| The Working Man | 1933-04-20 | John Reeves alias John Walton |
| The Green Goddess | 1930-02-13 | The Raja |
| The Man Who Played God | 1932-02-09 | Montgomery Royle |
| A Successful Calamity | 1932-09-17 | Henry Wilton |
| The King’s Vacation | 1933-02-25 | Phillip, the King |
| The Last Gentleman | 1934-04-27 | Cabot Barr |
| Voltaire | 1933-08-05 | Voltaire |
| The Millionaire | 1931-05-01 | James Alden |
| Alexander Hamilton | 1931-09-12 | Alexander Hamilton |
| His Lordship | 1936-11-12 | Richard Fraser / Lorimer, Lord Duncaster |
| Old English | 1930-08-12 | Sylvanus Heythorp |
| Cardinal Richelieu | 1935-04-18 | Cardinal Richelieu |
| The Devil | 1921-01-17 | Dr. Müller |
| The Iron Duke | 1934-11-30 | |
| The Tunnel | 1935-10-27 | Prime Minister of Great Britain |
| The Green Goddess | 1923-08-13 | Rajah of Rukh |
| Der ewige Jude | 1940-11-28 | Mayer Rothschild (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| The Guv’nor | 1935-10-01 | François Rothschild aka The Guv’nor |
| East Meets West | 1936-08-26 | Sultan of Rungay |
| Disraeli | 1921-08-21 | Benjamin Disraeli |
| Cavalcade of the Academy Awards | 1940-07-31 | Self (archive footage) |
| Twenty Dollars a Week | 1924-04-12 | |
| The Voice That Thrilled the World | 1943-10-16 | Self (segment ‘Disraeli’) (archive footage) |
| And the Oscar Goes To… | 2014-02-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| The Man Who Played God | 1922-10-01 | Montgomery Royle |
| The Ruling Passion | 1922-01-22 | |
| Going Hollywood: The ’30s | 1984-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Impressions of Disraeli | 1931-07-21 | Benjamin Disraeli |
| Land of Liberty | 1939-06-15 | Alexander Hamilton (edited from ‘Alexander Hamilton’) |