Leopold John Genn (9 August 190526 January 1978) was an English actor and barrister. Distinguished by his relaxed charm and smooth, "black velvet" voice, he had a lengthy career in theatre, film, television, and radio; often playing aristocratic or gentlemanly, sophisticate roles. Born to a

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

family in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, Genn was educated as a lawyer and was a practicing barrister until after

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, in which he served in the

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He began his acting career at

The Old Vic The Old Vic is a 1,000-seat, not-for-profit producing theatre in Waterloo, London, England. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, and renamed in 1833 the Royal Victoria Theatre. In 1871 it was rebuilt and reopened as the Royal ...

and made his film debut in 1935, starring in a total of 85 screen roles until his death in 1978. For his portrayal of

Petronius Gaius Petronius Arbiter"Gaius Petronius Arbiter"
Quo Vadis ''Quō vādis?'' (, ) is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you marching?". It is also commonly translated as "Where are you going?" or, poetically, "Whither goest thou?" The phrase originates from the Christian tradition regarding Saint Pete ...

,'' he received an

Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology) ...

nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Early life and family

Genn was born at 144 Kyverdale Road,

Stamford Hill Stamford Hill is an area in Inner London, England, about 5.5 miles north-east of Charing Cross. The neighbourhood is a sub-district of Hackney, the major component of the London Borough of Hackney, and is known for its Hasidic community, the ...

, Hackney, London, the son of

parents Woolfe (William) Genn and Rachel Genn (née Asserson). Genn attended the

City of London School , established = , closed = , type = Public school Boys' independent day school , president = , head_label = Headmaster , head = Alan Bird , chair_label = Chair of Governors , chair = Ian Seaton , founder = John Carpenter , speciali ...

, having gained scholarships in both classics and mathematics, and studied law at

St Catharine's College, Cambridge St Catharine's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473 as Katharine Hall, it adopted its current name in 1860. The college is nicknamed "Catz". The college is located in the historic city-centre of Camb ...

, where he became captain of both the football and tennis teams. He went on to study at the Middle Temple, qualifying as a

barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...

in 1928. He finally ceased practising as a lawyer after serving as an assistant prosecutor at the Belsen War Trials.

Career

Theatre career

Genn originally entered acting, with the Berkley Players (attached to the

West London Synagogue The West London Synagogue of British Jews, abbreviated WLS ( he, ק"ק שער ציון, ''Kahal Kadosh Sha'ar Tziyon'', "Holy Congregation Gate of Zion"), is a synagogue and congregation, affiliated to Reform Judaism, near Marble Arch in cent ...

), in order to increase his chances of finding prospective clients for his legal work. Actor/manager Leon Lion saw Genn act and offered him a contract."Obituary: Leo Genn" ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was fo ...

'' 27 January 1978 Genn's theatrical debut was in 1930 in ''A Marriage has been Disarranged'' at the

Devonshire Park Theatre The Devonshire Park Theatre is a Victorian theatre located in the town of Eastbourne, in the coastal region of East Sussex. The theatre was designed by Henry Currey and was built in 1884. In 1903, it was further improved by the theatre archite ...

Eastbourne Eastbourne () is a town and seaside resort in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton and south of London. Eastbourne is immediately east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Great Britain and part of the la ...

and then at the

Royalty Theatre The Royalty Theatre was a small London theatre situated at 73 Dean Street, Soho. Established by the actress Frances Maria Kelly in 1840, it opened as Miss Kelly's Theatre and Dramatic School and finally closed to the public in 1938.

in Dean Street, London. Lion had engaged him simultaneously as an actor and attorney. In 1933 he appeared in ''Ballerina'' by

Rodney Ackland Rodney Ackland (18 May 1908 in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex – 6 December 1991 in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey) was an English playwright, actor, theatre director and screenwriter. Born as Norman Ackland Bernstein in Southend, Essex, to a Jewish fat ...

. Between September 1934 and March 1936, Leo Genn was a member of the

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary * Old, Northamptonshire, England *Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Ma ...

Company where he appeared in many productions of Shakespeare. In 1934 he featured in R. J. Minney's ''

Clive of India Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, (29 September 1725 – 22 November 1774), also known as Clive of India, was the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency. Clive has been widely credited for laying the foundation of the British ...

''. In 1937 he was

Horatio Horatio is an English male given name, an Italianized form of the ancient Roman Latin '' nomen'' (name) '' Horatius'', from the Roman '' gens'' (clan) '' Horatia''. The modern Italian form is ''Orazio'', the modern Spanish form ''Horacio''. It app ...

Tyrone Guthrie Sir William Tyrone Guthrie (2 July 1900 – 15 May 1971) was an English theatrical director instrumental in the founding of the Stratford Festival of Canada, the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at h ...

's production of ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'', with

Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the Theatre of the U ...

as Hamlet, in Elsinore, Denmark. In 1938 Genn appeared in the theatrical hit, ''The Flashing Stream'' by

Charles Langbridge Morgan Charles Langbridge Morgan (22 January 1894 – 6 February 1958) was a British playwright and novelist of English and Welsh parentage. The main themes of his work were, as he himself put it, "Art, Love, and Death", and the relation between t ...

and went with the show to America and Broadway. His many other stage performances included

Lillian Hellman Lillian Florence Hellman (June 20, 1905 – June 30, 1984) was an American playwright, prose writer, memoirist and screenwriter known for her success on Broadway, as well as her communist sympathies and political activism. She was blacklisted aft ...

's ''

Another Part of the Forest ''Another Part of the Forest'' is a 1946 play by Lillian Hellman, a prequel to her 1939 drama ''The Little Foxes''. Plot synopsis Set in the fictional town of Bowden, Alabama, in June 1880, the plot focuses on the wealthy, ruthless, and innatel ...

'', ''

12 Angry Men ''Twelve Angry Men'' is an American courtroom drama written by Reginald Rose concerning the jury of a homicide trial. It was broadcast initially as a television play in 1954. The following year it was adapted for the stage. It was adapted for a ...

'', ''The Devil's Advocate'', and

Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...

's '' The Sacred Flame''. In 1959 Genn gave a reading in

Chichester Cathedral Chichester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in West Sussex, England. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075, when the seat of the ...

. In 1974, a recording of ''

The Jungle Book ''The Jungle Book'' (1894) is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling. Most of the characters are animals such as Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear, though a principal character is the boy or "man-cub" Mowgli, ...

'' was released with Genn as narrator and

Miklós Rózsa Miklós Rózsa (; April 18, 1907 – July 27, 1995) was a Hungarian-American composer trained in Germany (1925–1931) and active in France (1931–1935), the United Kingdom (1935–1940), and the United States (1940–1995), with extensi ...

conducting the Frankenland Symphony Orchestra with the music from the film.

Film career

Genn's first film role was as Shylock in ''

Immortal Gentleman ''Immortal Gentleman'' is a 1935 British historical drama film directed by Widgey R. Newman and starring Basil Gill, Rosalinde Fuller and Dennis Hoey.Wood p.82 It was a low-budget B film, which usually did not have historical settings. Synops ...

'' (1935), a biography of

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

Douglas Fairbanks Jr Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr., (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000) was an American actor, producer and decorated naval officer of World War II. He is best known for starring in such films as ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1937), ''Gunga Din'' (1939) a ...

hired Genn as a technical adviser on the film ''

Accused Accused or The Accused may refer to: * A person suspected with committing a crime or offence; see Criminal charge ** Suspect, a known person suspected of committing a crime * The Accüsed, a 1980s Seattle crossover thrash band *''The Accused'', a ...

'' (1936). He was subsequently given a small part in the film on the strength of a "splendid voice and presence". Genn received another small role in Alexander Korda's '' The Drum'' (1938) and was the young man who danced with

Eliza Doolittle Eliza Doolittle is a fictional character and the protagonist in George Bernard Shaw's play ''Pygmalion'' (1913) and its 1956 musical adaptation, ''My Fair Lady''. Eliza (from Lisson Grove, London) is a Cockney flower woman, who comes to Profe ...

at the duchess's ball in ''

Pygmalion Pygmalion or Pigmalion may refer to: Mythology * Pygmalion (mythology), a sculptor who fell in love with his statue Stage * ''Pigmalion'' (opera), a 1745 opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau * ''Pygmalion'' (Rousseau), a 1762 melodrama by Jean-Jacques ...

'', a film made in the same year, although he was uncredited.

War service

With war approaching, Genn joined the Officers' Emergency Reserve in 1938. He was commissioned in the

on 6 July 1940 and was promoted to

lieutenant-colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...

in 1943. In 1944 the actor was given official leave to appear as the Constable of France in

's ''

Henry V Henry V may refer to: People * Henry V, Duke of Bavaria (died 1026) * Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor (1081/86–1125) * Henry V, Duke of Carinthia (died 1161) * Henry V, Count Palatine of the Rhine (c. 1173–1227) * Henry V, Count of Luxembourg (1 ...

''. Genn was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1945. He was part of the British unit that investigated war crimes at

Belsen concentration camp Bergen-Belsen , or Belsen, was a Nazi concentration camp in what is today Lower Saxony in northern Germany, southwest of the town of Bergen near Celle. Originally established as a prisoner of war camp, in 1943, parts of it became a concentrati ...

and later was an assistant prosecutor at the Belsen war crimes trials in

Lüneburg Lüneburg (officially the ''Hanseatic City of Lüneburg'', German: ''Hansestadt Lüneburg'', , Low German ''Lümborg'', Latin ''Luneburgum'' or ''Lunaburgum'', Old High German ''Luneburc'', Old Saxon ''Hliuni'', Polabian ''Glain''), also calle ...

, Germany.

Post-war

He was in ''

Green for Danger ''Green for Danger'' is a popular 1944 detective novel by British writer Christianna Brand, praised for its clever plot, interesting characters, and wartime hospital setting. It was made into a 1946 film which is regarded by film historians ...

'' (1946) and ''

The Snake Pit ''The Snake Pit'' is a 1948 American psychological drama film directed by Anatole Litvak and starring Olivia de Havilland, Mark Stevens, Leo Genn, Celeste Holm, Beulah Bondi, and Lee Patrick. Based on Mary Jane Ward's 1946 semi-autobiogra ...

'' (1948). He was one of the two leading actors in ''

The Wooden Horse ''The Wooden Horse'' is a 1950 British Second World War war film directed by Jack Lee and starring Leo Genn, David Tomlinson and Anthony Steel. It is based on the book of the same name by Eric Williams, who also wrote the screenplay. The f ...

'' in 1950. After his

-nominated success as

'' (1951), he appeared in

John Huston John Marcellus Huston ( ; August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor and visual artist. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered ...

's ''

Moby Dick ''Moby-Dick; or, The Whale'' is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is the sailor Ishmael's narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship ''Pequod'', for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant whit ...

'' (1956). Genn also appeared in some American films, such as ''

The Girls of Pleasure Island ''The Girls of Pleasure Island'' is a 1953 Technicolor comedy film directed by Alvin Ganzer and F. Hugh Herbert. The screenplay by F. Hugh Herbert is based on the novel ''Pleasure Island'' by former Marine William Maier. The original music score ...

'', and ''

Plymouth Adventure ''Plymouth Adventure'' is a 1952 Technicolor drama film with an ensemble cast starring Spencer Tracy, Gene Tierney, Van Johnson and Leo Genn, made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Clarence Brown, and produced by Dore Schary. The screenplay ...

'' (1952), a fictionalised treatment of the Pilgrims' landing at

Plymouth Rock Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the ''Mayflower'' Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in December 1620. The Pilgrims did not refer to Plymouth Rock in any of their writings; the first known writt ...

. He later starred opposite

Gene Tierney Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed for her great beauty, she became established as a leading lady. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the ...

in the British film ''

Personal Affair ''Personal Affair'' is a 1953 British drama film directed by Anthony Pelissier and starring Gene Tierney, Leo Genn and Glynis Johns.''Monthly Film Bulletin'' review; 1953, page 160. It was made at Pinewood Studios by Two Cities Films. Plot s ...

'' (1953). He played Major Michael Pemberton in

Roberto Rossellini Roberto Gastone Zeffiro Rossellini (8 May 1906 – 3 June 1977) was an Italian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was one of the most prominent directors of the Italian neorealist cinema, contributing to the movement with films such ...

's '' Era Notte a Roma'' (''Escape by Night'', 1960). Leo Genn narrated the

coronation A coronation is the act of placement or bestowal of a coronation crown, crown upon a monarch's head. The term also generally refers not only to the physical crowning but to the whole ceremony wherein the act of crowning occurs, along with the ...

programmes of both 1937 and 1953, the

King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...

Memorial Programme in 1952, and the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...

ceremonial opening (in the USA) in 1947. Genn was a governor of the

Mermaid Theatre The Mermaid Theatre was a theatre encompassing the site of Puddle Dock and Curriers' Alley at Blackfriars in the City of London, and the first built in the City since the time of Shakespeare. It was, importantly, also one of the first new the ...

and trustee of the

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is a theatre located in Guildford, Surrey, England. Named after the actress Yvonne Arnaud, it presents a series of locally produced and national touring productions, including opera, ballet and pantomime. The theatre ...

. He was also council member of the Arts Educational Trust. He was appointed distinguished visiting professor of theatre arts,

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvan ...

, 1968 and visiting professor of drama,

University of Utah The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...

, 1969.

Personal life

On 14 May 1933, Genn married Marguerite van Praag, a casting director at

Ealing Studios Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on the site ever s ...

. They had no children.

Death

Genn died in London on 26 January 1978. The immediate cause of death was a heart attack, brought on by complications of

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

. He is buried in Etretat Churchyard,

Seine-Maritime Seine-Maritime () is a department of France in the Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the northern coast of France, at the mouth of the Seine, and includes the cities of Rouen and Le Havre. Until 1955 it was named Seine-Inféri ...

, France.

Selected filmography

*1935: ''

'' as Merchant / Shylock *1936: '' The Dream Doctor'' as Husband *1936: '' Rhodes of Africa'' as Narrator (voice, uncredited) *1936: ''

'' as Man (uncredited) *1937: ''

The Cavalier of the Streets ''The Cavalier of the Streets'' is a 1937 British comedy film directed by Harold French and starring Margaret Vyner, Patrick Barr and Carl Harbord. It was filmed at Pinewood Studios. An aristocratic lady is blackmailed. Plot In this courtroom ...

'' as Attorney General *1937: ''

Jump for Glory ''Jump for Glory'' is a 1937 British romantic drama film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Valerie Hobson and Alan Hale. It was based on a novel by Gordon McDonnell. The film was shot at Isleworth Studios by the inde ...

'' as Prosecuting Counsel *1937: '' The Rat'' as Defending Counsel *1938: ''

'' as Prince (uncredited) *1938: '' The Drum'' as Abdul Fakir (uncredited) *1938: '' Kate Plus Ten'' as Dr. Gurdon *1938: ''

Dangerous Medicine ''Dangerous Medicine'' is a 1938 British crime film, directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Elizabeth Allan and Cyril Ritchard. It is now classed as a lost film.Contraband'' as First Brother Grimm *1940: ''

Ten Days in Paris ''Ten Days in Paris'', also known as ''Missing Ten Days'' and ''Spy in the Pantry'', is a 1940 British spy film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Rex Harrison, Kaaren Verne and C. V. France. The screenplay concerns a man in Paris who turns o ...

'' as Lanson *1940: '' The Girl in the News'' as Prosecuting Counsel (uncredited) *1940: ''

Law and Order In modern politics, law and order is the approach focusing on harsher enforcement and penalties as ways to reduce crime. Penalties for perpetrators of disorder may include longer terms of imprisonment, mandatory sentencing, three-strikes laws a ...

'' as Another Agent *1942: '' The Young Mr. Pitt'' as Danton (uncredited) *1943: ''

The Bells Go Down ''The Bells Go Down'' is a 1943 black-and-white wartime film made by Ealing Studios. The reference in the title is to the alarm bells in the fire station that "go down" when a call to respond is made. The film is an ensemble piece that covers ...

'' as Off-Screen Narrator (uncredited) *1944: ''

The Way Ahead ''The Way Ahead'' (also known as ''Immortal Battalion'') (1944) is a British Second World War drama film directed by Carol Reed. The screenplay was written by Eric Ambler and Peter Ustinov. The film stars David Niven, Stanley Holloway and Willi ...

'' as Capt. Edwards *1944: '' Tunisian Victory'' as Narrator (voice) *1944: ''

The Return of the Vikings ''The Return of the Vikings'' is a 1944 British short feature from Ealing Studios, directed and co-written by Charles Frend. It is a dramatised documentary concerning a Norwegian fishing boat in time of war. Cast *Leo Genn as Narrator (voice) *Fr ...

'' as Narrator (voice) *1944: ''

'' as The Constable of France *1945: '' Caesar and Cleopatra'' as Bel Affris *1947: ''

'' as Mr. Eden *1947: ''

Mourning Becomes Electra ''Mourning Becomes Electra'' is a play cycle written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. The play premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on 26 October 1931 where it ran for 150 performances before closing in March 1932, starring Lee Baker ...

'' as Adam Brant *1948: ''

The Velvet Touch ''The Velvet Touch'' is a 1948 American film noir drama directed by Jack Gage and starring Rosalind Russell, Leon Ames, Leo Genn and Claire Trevor. Plot Broadway leading lady Valerie Stanton (Russell) accidentally kills her producer and former ...

'' as Michael Morrell *1948: '' London Belongs to Me'' as Narrator, introduction (uncredited) *1948: ''

'' as Dr. Mark Kik *1950: ''

No Place for Jennifer ''No Place for Jennifer'' is a 1950 British film directed by Henry Cass and starring Leo Genn, Rosamund John, Guy Middleton and Janette Scott. It was based on the novel ''No Difference to Me'' by Phyllis Hambleton. Plot In the film, a young g ...

'' as William Bailey *1950: '' I Went Back'' documentary with Leo Genn and as narrator *1950: ''

'' as Peter *1950: ''

The Miniver Story ''The Miniver Story'' is a 1950 American drama film that is the sequel to the 1942 film '' Mrs. Miniver''. Like its predecessor, the picture, made by MGM, stars Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, but it was filmed on-location in England. The film ...

'' as Steve Brunswick *1951: ''

Quo Vadis ''Quō vādis?'' (, ) is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you marching?". It is also commonly translated as "Where are you going?" or, poetically, "Whither goest thou?" The phrase originates from the Christian tradition regarding Saint Pete ...

'' as Petronius *1951: ''

The Magic Box ''The Magic Box'' is a 1951 British Technicolor biographical drama film directed by John Boulting. The film stars Robert Donat as William Friese-Greene, with numerous cameo appearances by performers such as Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivie ...

'' as Maida Vale Doctor *1952: '' 24 Hours of a Woman's Life'' as Robert Stirling *1952: ''

'' as William Bradford *1953 ''The Coronation Ceremony'', documentary as Narrator *1953 ''

Elizabeth Is Queen Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sc ...

'', Coronation documentary as Narrator *1953: ''

'' as Roger Halyard *1953: ''

The Red Beret ''The Red Beret'' (aka ''The Red Devils'', ''The Big Jump'' and retitled ''Paratrooper'' for the US release) is a 1953 British-American war film directed by Terence Young and starring Alan Ladd, Leo Genn and Susan Stephen. ''The Red Beret'' is ...

'' as Major Snow *1953: ''

'' as Stephen Barlow *1954: ''

The Green Scarf ''The Green Scarf'' is a 1954 United Kingdom, British mystery film directed by George More O'Ferrall and starring Michael Redgrave, Ann Todd, Leo Genn, Kieron Moore, Richard O'Sullivan and Michael Medwin. The film's plot concerns a man who is ac ...

'' as Rodelec *1955: ''Chantage'' as Lionel Kendall *1955: '' Lady Chatterley's Lover'' as Sir Clifford Chatterley *1956: ''

'' as Starbuck *1956: '' Beyond Mombasa'' as Ralph Hoyt *1957: ''

The Steel Bayonet ''The Steel Bayonet'' is a 1957 British war film directed by Michael Carreras and starring Leo Genn, Kieron Moore and Michael Medwin. Michael Caine also had a small role in the film, early in his career. It is set during the Second World War, ...

'' as Maj. Alan Gerrard *1958: '' Lambeth 1958'' documentary directed by Raymond Kinsey, narrated By Leo Genn *1958: ''

I Accuse! ''I Accuse!'' is a British 1958 CinemaScope biographical drama film directed by and starring José Ferrer. The film is based on the true story of the Dreyfus affair, in which a Jewish captain in the French Army was falsely accused of treason. ...

'' as Maj. Picquart *1958: ''

No Time to Die ''No Time to Die'' is a 2021 spy film and the twenty-fifth in the ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions, starring Daniel Craig in his fifth and final portrayal of fictional British MI6 agent James Bond. It was directed by Cary Jo ...

'' as Sgt. Kendall *1960: '' Too Hot to Handle'' as Johnny Solo *1960: '' Era Notte a Roma'' as British Major Michael Pemberton *1962: '' The Longest Day'' as Major-General Hollander at SHAEF *1962 '' Nothing to Eat (But Food) (narrator, documentary) *1963: '' 55 Days at Peking'' as Gen. Jung-Lu *1964: '' The Delhi Way'' (narrator, documentary) *1964: '' The Secret of Dr. Mabuse'' as Adm. Quency *1965: ''

Ten Little Indians "Ten Little Indians" is a traditional American children's counting out rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 12976. The term "Indians" in this sense refers to Indigenous North American peoples. In 1868, songwriter Septimus Winner adapt ...

'' as General Mandrake *1966: '' Circus of Fear'' as Elliott *1966: ''

Khartoum Khartoum or Khartum ( ; ar, الخرطوم, Al-Khurṭūm, din, Kaartuɔ̈m) is the capital of Sudan. With a population of 5,274,321, its metropolitan area is the largest in Sudan. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile, flowing n ...

'' as Narrator (uncredited) *1970: ''

The Bloody Judge George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys, PC (15 May 1645 – 18 April 1689), also known as "the Hanging Judge", was a Welsh judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor (and serving as ...

'' as Lord Wessex *1970: ''

Connecting Rooms ''Connecting Rooms'' is a 1970 British drama (film and television), drama film written and directed by Franklin Gollings. The screenplay is based on the play ''The Cellist'' by Marion Hart. The film stars Bette Davis, Michael Redgrave, and Leo ...

'' as Dr. Norman *1971: ''

National Trust The National Trust, formally the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, is a charity and membership organisation for heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, there is a separate and ...

'' as Narrator *1971: '' Lizard in a Woman's Skin'' as Edmond Brighton *1971: ''

Die Screaming, Marianne ''Die Screaming, Marianne'' (also ''Die, Beautiful Marianne'') is a 1971 British thriller film produced and directed by Pete Walker (director), Pete Walker. Although Walker's films were mostly in the horror or sexploitation genres, this is a stra ...

'' as The Judge *1972: '' Endless Night'' as Psychiatrist (uncredited) *1973: ' as Chief of M.I.5 *1973: ''

The Mackintosh Man ''The Mackintosh Man'' is a 1973 British Cold War neo noir Spy film, spy thriller film, directed by John Huston and starring Paul Newman, Dominique Sanda and James Mason. Huston called it "a spy thriller with some amusing moments" that was simil ...

'' as Rollins (uncredited) *1974: '' Frightmare'' as Dr. Lytell *1975: ' as Henryk Goldszmit vel Janusz Korczak (final film role)

Theatre

* 1930 ''A Marriage Has Been Disarranged'',

, Eastbourne,

* appearances in: ''No 17''; ''Tiger Cats''; ''Champion North''; ''While Parents Sleep''; ''Clive of India'' * 1931 O.H.M.S. * 1934–36 Old Vic Company: ; 1934–35 Old Vic Season: * Much Ado About Nothing * Henry IV Part 2 * Major Barbara * Hippolytus by Euripides * The Two Shepherds by Sierra * Othello * The Taming of the Shrew, Sadler's Wells * Saint Joan, Old Vic/Sadler's Wells * Richard II * Antony and Cleopatra * Hamlet * Shakespeare Birthday Festival- 23 April 1935 *Last Night of Shakespeare Season: scenes from Hamlet, Richard II, Taming of The Shrew, 20 May 1935 ; 1935–36 Old Vic Season: * Julius Caesar * Macbeth * Richard III * King Lear *

Saint Helena Saint Helena () is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island west of the coast of south-western Africa, and east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. It is one of three constitu ...

by R.C. Sherriff * Peer Gynt * The School for Scandal ;1936–37 Old Vic Season: * Twelfth Night * Henry V ;1937–69 Later Work: * 1937 Shakespeare Birthday Festival: excerpts from Shakespeare, 23 April 1937,

* 1937 ''

'', as Horatio, at Elsinore * 1938 Shakespeare Birthday Festival: excerpts from Shakespeare, 25 April 1938,

* 1938 ''

The Flashing Stream ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'', Lyric Theatre & New York 1939 * 1940 ''The Jersey Lily'' by Basil Bartlett,

Gate Theatre Studio Gate Theatre Studio, often referred to as simply the Gate Theatre, is a former independent theatre on Villiers Street in London. History Founded in October 1925 by Peter Godfrey and his wife Molly Veness, the theatre was originally on the top ...

* 1946 ''

'', New York * 1948 ''Jonathan'',

Aldwych Aldwych (pronounced ) is a street and the name of the List of areas of London, area immediately surrounding it in central London, England, within the City of Westminster. The street starts Points of the compass, east-northeast of Charing Cros ...

* 1951 ''

The Seventh Veil ''The Seventh Veil'' is a 1945 British melodrama film directed by Compton Bennett and starring James Mason and Ann Todd. It was made by Ortus Films (a company established by producer Sydney Box) and released through General Film Distributors i ...

'',

Prince's Theatre The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden. Opened in 1911 as the New Prince's Theatre, it was the last theatre to be built in Shaftesbury Avenue. History The theatre was d ...

* 1953 ''

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

'', as Buckingham, with Paul Rogers as

. A Coronation Gala performance, held on 6 May 1953, in the presence of the Queen. * 1954 '' The Bombshell'',

Westminster Theatre The Westminster Theatre was a theatre in London, on Palace Street in Westminster. History The structure on the site was originally built as the Charlotte Chapel in 1766, by William Dodd with money from his wife Mary Perkins. Through Peter Ri ...

* 1957 '' Small War on Murray Hill'', New York * 1959 '' The Hidden River'',

Cambridge Theatre The Cambridge Theatre is a West End theatre, on a corner site in Earlham Street facing Seven Dials, in the London Borough of Camden, built in 1929–30 for Bertie Meyer on an "irregular triangular site". Design and construction It was des ...

* 1961 '' The Devil's Advocate'', New York * 1964 '' Fair Game for Lovers'',

Cort Theatre The James Earl Jones Theatre, originally the Cort Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 138 West 48th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States. It was built in ...

, New York * 1964 ''

, Queen's Theatre * 1967 '' The Sacred Flame'',

Duke of York's Theatre The Duke of York's Theatre is a West End theatre in St Martin's Lane, in the City of Westminster, London. It was built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte, who retained ownership of the theatre until her death in 1935. Designed by th ...

* 1968 '' The Only Game in Town'', New York * 1968 '' Caesar and Cleopatra'', US * 1969 '' Doctor Faustus'', US

Television

* 1955 ''Omnibus'': "Herod" * 1955 ''Screen Director's Playhouse'': "Titanic Incident" * 1960 ''

Mrs. Miniver ''Mrs. Miniver'' is a 1942 American romantic war drama film directed by William Wyler, and starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Inspired by the 1940 novel '' Mrs. Miniver'' by Jan Struther, it shows how the life of an unassuming British h ...

'' with Maureen O'Hara as Mrs Miniver and Leo Genn as Clem Miniver, CBS * 1961 ''The Defenders'' * 1961 ''The Jack Paar Show'', (himself) * 1961 ''The Life of Adolf Hitler'' written & directed by

Paul Rotha Paul Rotha (3 June 1907 – 7 March 1984) was a British documentary film-maker, film historian and critic. Early life and education He was born Paul Thompson in London, and educated at Highgate School and at the Slade School of Fine Art. Career ...

, commentary by Leo Genn &

Marius Goring Marius Re Goring, (23 May 191230 September 1998) was a British stage and screen actor. He is best remembered for the four films he made with Powell & Pressburger, particularly as Conductor 71 in '' A Matter of Life and Death'' and as Julian Cr ...

* 1962 ''The Unseen Valley'' directed by Stephen Peet, Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, BBC * 1962 ''An Act of Faith'', a BBC documentary on

Coventry Cathedral The Cathedral Church of Saint Michael, commonly known as Coventry Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry within the Church of England. The cathedral is located in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The curren ...

, narrated by Leo Genn * 1963 ''Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre'': "Commander Tony Gardiner" * 1963 ''The Merv Griffin Show'', (himself) * 1964 "The Thirty Days of Gavin Heath", an episode of '' The Virginian'', Leo Genn as Gavin Heath * 1965 ''The Cat's Cradle'' by

Hugo Charteris Hugo Francis Guy Charteris MC (11 December 1922 – 20 December 1970) was a noted British novelist and screenwriter, the author of nine novels, 17 television screenplays and numerous children's books and short stories. Early life Charteris wa ...

, an instalment of ''

The Wednesday Play ''The Wednesday Play'' is an anthology series of British television plays which ran on BBC1 for six seasons from October 1964 to May 1970. The plays were usually original works written for television, although dramatic adaptations of fiction ...

'', BBC Television * 1967 ''Saint Joan'' * 1969 ''Strange Report'' * 1969 '' The Expert'' * 1970 ''

Howards End ''Howards End'' is a novel by E. M. Forster, first published in 1910, about social conventions, codes of conduct and relationships in turn-of-the-century England. ''Howards End'' is considered by many to be Forster's masterpiece. The book was ...

'' (with

Glenda Jackson Glenda May Jackson (born 9 May 1936) is an English actress and former Member of Parliament (MP). She has won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice: for her role as Gudrun Brangwen in the romantic drama ''Women in Love'' (1970); and again for ...

), an instalment of ''

Play of the Month ''Play of the Month'' is a BBC television anthology series, which ran from 1965 to 1983 featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays (or adaptations) which were usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different wor ...

'' BBC Television * 1971 ''

The Persuaders! ''The Persuaders!'' is an action-comedy series starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore, produced by ITC Entertainment, and initially broadcast on ITV and ABC in 1971. The show has been called 'the last major entry in the cycle of adventure ser ...

'' ''"The Long Goodbye"'' * 1973 ''The Movie Quiz'' * 1973 '' Jackanory'', narrating on three episodes * 1974 ''The Zoo Gang''

Radio

* 1935 ''Penarth's Cave'', a play and competition by J. Harold Carpenter, The Children's Hour BBC * 1936 ''Kitchener'', BBC radio * 1937 The Company of Heaven, devised for Michaelmas by R. Ellis Roberts with music by

Benjamin Britten Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976, aged 63) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British music, with a range of works including opera, other ...

* 1939 ''

Morte d'Arthur ' (originally written as '; inaccurate Middle French for "The Death of Arthur") is a 15th-century Middle English prose reworking by Sir Thomas Malory of tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin and the Knights of the Rou ...

'' by

Alfred, Lord Tennyson Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892) was an English poet. He was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of his ...

* 1945 '' The Man of Property'', Young Jolyon in Muriel Levy's adaptation of the first novel in

John Galsworthy John Galsworthy (; 14 August 1867 – 31 January 1933) was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include ''The Forsyte Saga'' (1906–1921) and its sequels, ''A Modern Comedy'' and ''End of the Chapter''. He won the Nobel Prize i ...

Forsyte Saga ''The Forsyte Saga'', first published under that title in 1922, is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921 by the English author John Galsworthy, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature. They chronicle the vi ...

sequence, broadcast by BBC radio in half-hourly episodes * 1946 ''The Voyage of Magellan'' OF MAGELLAN', a dramatic chronicle in verse by

Laurie Lee Laurence Edward Alan "Laurie" Lee, MBE (26 June 1914 – 13 May 1997) was an English poet, novelist and screenwriter, who was brought up in the small village of Slad in Gloucestershire. His most notable work is the autobiographical trilogy ...

* 1952 ''Deburau'' by Sacha Guitry, adapted by

Dennis Arundell Dennis Drew Arundell OBE (22 July 1898 in Finchley, London – 10 December 1988 in Camden, London

from the English version by

Harley Granville-Barker Harley Granville-Barker (25 November 1877 – 31 August 1946) was an English actor, director, playwright, manager, critic, and theorist. After early success as an actor in the plays of George Bernard Shaw, he increasingly turned to directi ...

* 1953 ''

Desert Island Discs ''Desert Island Discs'' is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It was first broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme on 29 January 1942. Each week a guest, called a " castaway" during the programme, is asked to choose eight recordings (usu ...

'', BBC, guest, (broadcast 26 June 1953). * 1954 ''Dear Brutus'' by

J. M. Barrie Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (; 9 May 1860 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several succ ...

, BBC * 1954 ''Jungle Green'' dramatised & produced by

Alan Burgess Alan Burgess (1 February 1915 – 10 April 1998) was an English Royal Air Force pilot and author who wrote several biographical and non-fiction books between the 1950s and the 1970s. He wrote biographies of Gladys Aylward, and Flora Sandes, and ...

from the book by Arthur Campbell, BBC * 1961 ''No Summer at Sea'' by Philip Holland BBC * 1962 ''The Lark'' by

Jean Anouilh Jean Marie Lucien Pierre Anouilh (; 23 June 1910 – 3 October 1987) was a French dramatist whose career spanned five decades. Though his work ranged from high drama to absurdist farce, Anouilh is best known for his 1944 play ''Antigone'', an a ...

, translated by

Christopher Fry Christopher Fry (18 December 1907 – 30 June 2005) was an English poet and playwright. He is best known for his verse dramas, especially ''The Lady's Not for Burning'', which made him a major force in theatre in the 1940s and 1950s. Biograph ...

, BBC * 1963 ''

The Enemy Below ''The Enemy Below'' is a 1957 DeLuxe Color war film in CinemaScope about a battle between an American destroyer escort and a German U-boat during World War II. Produced and directed by Dick Powell, the movie stars Robert Mitchum and Curt J� ...

'' by

Denys Rayner Denys Arthur Rayner Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom), DSC & Bar, Volunteer Reserve Decoration, VRD, History of the Royal Naval Reserve#Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, RNVR (9 February 1908 – 4 January 1967) was a Royal Navy officer who ...

, BBC radio * 1965 ''

The Skin Game The Skin Game may refer to: * ''The Skin Game'' (play), a play by John Galsworthy * ''The Skin Game'' (1921 film), a 1921 Dutch film, based on the play * ''The Skin Game'' (1931 film), a 1931 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, also based on the ...

'', by

, BBC radio * 1966 '' Ashenden – Secret Agent 1914-1918: The Hairless Mexican'', by

W. Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...

, in five episodes, adapted by Howard Agg, produced by George Angell and read by Leo Genn. * 1967 '' Ashenden – Secret Agent 1914-1918: Giulia Lazzari'', by

, in five episodes, adapted by Howard Agg, produced by George Angell and read by Leo Genn.BBC Genome: ''Ashenden – Secret Agent 1914-1918: Giulia Lazzari'' (1967)
/ref>

References

External links

*
Performances by Leo Genn
bris.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2016. * {{DEFAULTSORT:Genn, Leo 1905 births 1978 deaths Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge British Army personnel of World War II Male actors from London People educated at the City of London School People from Stamford Hill Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) Royal Artillery officers 20th-century English male actors Jewish English male actors Deaths from pneumonia in England Burials in Etretat Churchyard