Richard Haydn

Richard Haydn was an American actor known for his memorable roles in The Sound of Music, Ball of Fire, and Charley’s Aunt. Born George Richard Haydon on March 10, 1905, in Camberwell, London, England, he became famous for his unique style and comedic performances.

Personal and Family Life

Haydn had a rather private life, favoring gardening over public attention. He was briefly engaged to Maria Riva, the daughter of actress Marlene Dietrich, in 1943, and she later fondly remembered his warmth and kindness. Haydn also cherished his time tending to his garden, which his friend David Niven humorously noted was his real passion.

Career Highlights

Haydn began his career in a box office but soon transitioned to acting on stage and radio, where he developed his famous character, Edwin Carp. He gained recognition in films for his comedic talent, often portraying characters that were pompous and eccentric, which made him a beloved figure in Hollywood. His work spanned several decades, gaining acclaim for both on-screen and voice roles.

Death and Legacy

Richard Haydn passed away on April 25, 1985, in Pacific Palisades, California, due to a heart attack. Despite his passing, he is remembered for his distinctive voice and unforgettable characters, particularly his performance as Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music. His legacy continues to influence comedic actors and is cherished by fans of classic cinema.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
The Lost World 1960-07-13 Prof. Summerlee
Young Frankenstein 1974-12-15 Gerhard Falkstein
The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin 1967-03-08 Quentin Bartlett
And Then There Were None 1945-10-31 Thomas Rogers
Alice in Wonderland 1951-07-28 Caterpillar (voice)
No Time for Love 1943-01-01 Roger Winant
Ball of Fire 1941-12-02 Prof. Oddly
Five Weeks in a Balloon 1962-08-22 Sir Henry Vining
The Sound of Music 1965-03-29 Max Detweiler
Tonight and Every Night 1945-01-09 Specialty
Adventure 1945-12-28 Limo
The Emperor Waltz 1948-07-02 l’empereur François-Joseph
Never Let Me Go 1953-03-18 Christopher Wellington St. John Denny
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies 1960-03-31 Alfred North
Singapore 1947-08-13 Deputy Commissioner Hewitt
The Beginning or the End 1947-02-19 Dr. Chisholm
Sitting Pretty 1948-03-10 Mr. Clarence Appleton
The Green Years 1946-07-04 Jason Reid
Forever Amber 1947-10-10 Earl of Radcliffe
Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion 1965-08-04 Rupert Rowbotham
Mr. Music 1950-12-08 Jerome Thisbee
Jupiter’s Darling 1955-02-18 Horatio
The Late George Apley 1947-03-19 Horatio Willing
The Merry Widow 1952-09-05 Baron Popoff
The Foxes of Harrow 1947-09-24 Andre LeBlanc
Are Husbands Necessary? 1942-06-15 Chuck
Toy Tiger 1956-06-29 John Fusenot
Her Twelve Men 1954-08-11 Dr. Avord Barrett
Money from Home 1953-12-31 Bertie Searles
Thunder Birds 1942-10-28 George Lockwood
Charley’s Aunt 1941-08-01 Charley Wyckham
Forever and a Day 1943-01-21 Mr. Fulcher
The Return of Charlie Chan 1973-07-01 Andrew Kidder
Cluny Brown 1946-06-02 Jonathan Wilson
Twilight for the Gods 1958-08-04 Oliver Wiggins
Who Killed Who? 1943-06-19 The Victim (voice) (uncredited)
Heart of Darkness 1958-11-06 The Accountant
Mutiny on the Bounty 1962-11-08 William Brown
The Hugga Bunch 1985-06-08 Bookworm (voice) (uncredited)
Let’s Make Love 1960