James Donald Biography

This page uses content from the James Donald biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.

James Donald (May 18, 1917 - August 3, 1993) was a Scottish actor. Tall and gaunt, he specialized in playing authority figures; military officers, doctors, or scientists.

Donald was born in Aberdeen, and made his first professional stage appearance sometime in the mid-30's. During World War II he appeared in minor roles in such propaganda classics as In Which We Serve (1942), Went the Day Well? (1942) and The Way Ahead (1944). However, leading roles eluded him until Lust for Life (1956), in which he played Theo Van Gogh.

He then memorably portrayed Major Clipton in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). The final words of the film are his: "Madness. Madness!" He also played Group Captain. Ramsey, the Senior British Officer in The Great Escape (1963), as well as supporting roles in other notable films both in Britain and the United States, including King Rat (1965), Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), and Quatermass and the Pit (1967).

He also appeared regularly in many TV dramas in the UK and USA, as well as on stage.

External links

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• 1. Senior Officer Ramsey: Up the rebels.
  2. Goff: Down the British.
  From The Great Escape. Submitted by Francis L (3 months ago)

• 1. Maj. Clipton: Madness. Madness.
  From The Bridge on the River Kwai. Submitted by Chris P (13 months ago)