Maurice Denham was an English actor known for his work in films, television, and radio. He is best remembered for his roles in “Animal Farm,” “Sink the Bismarck!,” and various popular comedies in the 1940s and 1950s.
Personal and Family Life
Borne as William Maurice Denham on December 23, 1909, in Beckenham, Kent, he was married to Margaret Dunn from 1936 until her passing in 1971. Together, they had three children: Christopher, Timothy, and Virginia. Maurice had a knack for performance from a young age, though he initially entered an apprenticeship to please his parents.
Career Highlights
Denham’s career began in earnest in the 1940s, primarily on radio before transitioning to films. He gained fame for voicing all the animal characters in the animated film “Animal Farm” (1954) and continued to have a prolific career on stage and television, showcasing his versatility as both a comedic and dramatic actor.
Death and Legacy
Maurice Denham passed away from natural causes on July 24, 2002, at the age of 92 in Denville Hall, London. He was honored with the title of OBE in 1992 for his contributions to drama. A memorial service was held in his memory at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, on May 16, 2003.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines | 1965-06-16 | Trawler Skipper |
| The Day of the Jackal | 1973-05-16 | General Colbert |
| The Alphabet Murders | 1965-12-26 | Japp |
| Julia | 1977-10-01 | Undertaker |
| Animal Farm | 1954-12-28 | All animals (voice) |
| Night of the Demon | 1957-11-09 | Professor Henry Harrington |
| Our Man in Havana | 1960-01-27 | Admiral |
| Some Girls Do | 1969-01-23 | Mr. Mortimer |
| The Million Pound Note | 1954-01-07 | Jonathan Reid |
| Torture Garden | 1967-11-01 | Uncle Roger (segment 1 “Enoch”) |