Noel Willman was an Irish-American actor known for his roles in Doctor Zhivago, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Beau Brummell. He was celebrated for his serious demeanor and was involved in both acting and directing stage productions.
Personal and Family Life
Noel Willman was born on August 4, 1918, in Londonderry, Ireland. He studied acting at the London Theatre School and began his career in Peter Ustinov’s play, “House of Regrets.” Willman was known for his serious roles, often portraying characters with quiet determination or sinister motives.
Career
Willman transitioned from acting to directing after being mentored by Tyrone Guthrie. He achieved significant success in directing notable plays such as “Rashomon,” “A Man for All Seasons,” and “The Lion in Winter.” His work included collaborations with renowned actress Katharine Hepburn, contributing to his lasting legacy in theater.
Death and Legacy
Noel Willman passed away on December 24, 1988, in New York City, New York. His contributions to both film and theatre are remembered, including his Tony Award-winning direction and his impactful performances on screen and stage. Willman’s legacy endures through his diverse roles and influential directing career.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Zhivago | 1965-12-22 | Razin, Liberius’ Lieutenant |
| The Criminal | 1960-09-13 | Prison Governor |
| The Reptile | 1966-03-06 | Dr. Franklyn |
| Never Let Go | 1960-06-02 | Inspector Thomas |
| Beau Brummell | 1954-11-16 | Lord Byron |
| Carve Her Name with Pride | 1958-02-18 | Interrogator |
| The Vengeance of She | 1968-04-14 | Za-Tor |
| The Kiss of the Vampire | 1963-09-11 | Dr. Ravna |
| 21 Hours at Munich | 1976-12-25 | Bruno Merk |
| Across the Bridge | 1957-08-20 | Chief of Police |
| Abandon Ship | 1957-03-12 | Aubrey Clark |
| Two Living, One Dead | 1961-04-03 | Johnson |
| Cone of Silence | 1960-05-09 | Nigel Pickering |
| The Odessa File | 1974-10-17 | Franz Bayer |
| Androcles and the Lion | 1952-12-01 | Spintho |
| The Man Who Knew Too Much | 1956-05-16 | Woburn |
| The Net | 1953-02-09 | Dr. Dennis Bord |
| Rumpole of the Bailey | 1975-12-16 | Mr Justice Bates |
| The Girl on the Boat | 1962-08-05 | Webster |
| The Pickwick Papers | 1952-11-14 | Mr. Perker |
| The Winslow Boy | 1958-11-13 | The Lawyer |
| The Dark Avenger | 1955-04-15 | Du Guesclin |
| Malta Story | 1953-06-01 | Hobley |
| The Adventurer | 1972-09-29 | Holvera |
| The Main Chance | 1969-06-18 | Magistrate |
| Justice | 1971-10-08 | Sir Walter Sloane |
| The Persuaders! | 1971-09-17 | Theopolos |