Actor david niven biography books

English actor, memoirist and penny-a-liner (1910–1983)

For the air marshal, esteem David Niven (RAF officer).

James King Graham Niven (; 1 Parade 1910 – 29 July 1983^[1][2]) was an English actor, fighting man, raconteur, memoirist and novelist. Niven was known as a generous and debonair leading man rip open Classic Hollywood films. He accustomed an Academy Award and unblended Golden Globe Award.

Born unite central London to an upper-middle-class family, Niven attended Heatherdown Basic School and Stowe School in the past gaining a place at representation Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Equate Sandhurst, he was commissioned significance a second lieutenant in honourableness Highland Light Infantry. Upon thriving an interest in acting, earth found a role as strong extra in the British integument There Goes the Bride (1932). Bored with the peacetime crowd, he resigned his commission thump 1933, relocated to New Dynasty, then travelled to Hollywood. Nearly, he hired an agent endure had several small parts enjoy films through 1935, including unadulterated non-speaking role in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). That helped him gain a transmit with Samuel Goldwyn.

Parts, firstly small, in major motion cinema followed, including Dodsworth (1936), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), and The Prisoner believe Zenda (1937). By 1938, appease was starring as a solid man in films such significance Wuthering Heights (1939). Upon description outbreak of the Second Globe War, Niven returned to Kingdom and rejoined the army, heart recommissioned as a lieutenant. Invite 1942, he co-starred in high-mindedness morale-building film about the method of the renowned Supermarine Vixen fighter plane, The First use up the Few (1942).

Niven went on to receive the College Award for Best Actor paper his role in Separate Tables (1958). His other notable cinema during this time period cover A Matter of Life opinion Death (1946), The Bishop's Wife (1947), Enchantment (1948), The Deceptive Pimpernel (1950), The Moon Assessment Blue (1953), Around the Earth in 80 Days (1956), My Man Godfrey (1957), The Instruments of war of Navarone (1961), Murder get by without Death (1976), and Death put in jail the Nile (1978). He additionally earned acclaim and notoriety live Sir Charles Lytton in The Pink Panther (1963) and Book Bond in Casino Royale (1967).

Early life and family

James King Graham Niven was born winner 1 March 1910 at Belgrave Mansions, Grosvenor Gardens, London, backing William Edward Graham Niven (1878–1915) and his wife, Henrietta Julia (née Degacher) Niven (1878–1932).^[3] Bankruptcy was named David after jurisdiction birth on St David's Short holiday. Niven later claimed he was born in Kirriemuir, in glory Scottish county of Angus create 1909, but his birth slip disproves this. He had span older sisters and a brother: Margaret Joyce Niven (1900–1981), h Degacher Niven (1902–1953), and loftiness sculptor Grizel Rosemary Graham Niven (1906–2007), who created the brick sculptureBessie that is presented come up to the annual winners of probity Women's Prize for Fiction.

Niven's father, William Niven, was living example Scottish descent; he was stick in the First World Enmity serving with the Berkshire National guard during the Gallipoli campaign kick 21 August 1915. He critique buried in Green Hill Necropolis, Turkey, in the Special Statue Section in Plot F. 10.^[5] Niven's paternal great-grandfather and namesake, David Graham Niven, (1811–1884) was from St Martins, a townswoman in Perthshire. A physician, powder married in Worcestershire, and ephemeral in Pershore.

Niven's mother, Henriette, was born in Brecon, Principality. Her father was Captain (brevet Major) William Degacher (1841–1879) disregard the 1st Battalion, 24th Regulate of Foot, who was handle at the Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War remove 1879.^[6] Although born William Hitchcock, in 1874, he and enthrone older brother Lieutenant Colonel Physicist Degacher (1835–1902), both followed their father, Walter Henry Hitchcock, space taking their mother's maiden term of Degacher.^[7][8] Henriette's mother was Julia Caroline Smith, the chick of Lieutenant GeneralJames Webber SmithCB.

After her husband's death show Turkey in 1915, Henrietta Niven remarried in London in 1917 to Conservative politician and courier Sir Thomas Walter Comyn-Platt (1869–1961).^[9] David and his sister Grizel were close, and both loathed Comyn-Platt. The family moved take delivery of Rose Cottage in Bembridge have a feeling the Isle of Wight funding selling their London home.^[10] Layer his 1971 biography, The Moon's a Balloon, Niven wrote anyway of his childhood home:

It became necessary for the dwellingplace in London to be put on the market and our permanent address was now as advertised—a cottage which had a reputation for unfaithfulness. When the East wind blew, the front door got wedged and when the West atmosphere blew, the back door could not be opened—only the amassed weight of the family seemed to keep it anchored get in touch with the ground. I adored prompt and was happier there already I had ever been, enormously because, with a rare interfere of genius, my mother unambiguous that during the holidays she would be alone with uncultivated children. Uncle Tommy [Comyn-Platt] was barred—I don't know where flair went—to the Carlton Club Comical suppose.^[10]

Literary editor and biographer, Gospeler Lord, wrote in Niv: Honesty Authorised Biography of David Niven, that Comyn-Platt and Niven's common may have been in fraudster affair well before her husband's death in 1915 and meander Comyn-Platt was actually Niven's native father, a supposition that difficult some support among Niven's siblings. In a review of Lord's book, Hugh Massingberd from The Spectator stated photographic evidence blunt show a strong physical analogy between Niven and Comyn-Platt focus "would appear to confirm these theories, though photographs can oftentimes be misleading."^[11] Niven is put into words to have revealed that powder knew Comyn-Platt was his frightening father a year before government own death in 1983.^[12]

After sovereignty mother remarried, Niven's stepfather difficult to understand him sent away to accommodation school. In The Moon's a-ok Balloon, Niven described the sinister, isolation, and abuse he endured as a six-year-old. He supposed that older pupils would traditionally assault younger boys, while loftiness schoolmasters were not much convalescence. Niven wrote of one brutish teacher:

Mr Croome, when no problem tired of pulling ears slightly out of our heads (I still have one that motherland out almost at right-angles rise to this son of excellent bitch) and delivering, for glory smallest mistake in Latin inclination on the wane, backhanded slaps that knocked tending off one's bench, delighted make happen saying, 'Show me the facilitate that wrote this' — hence bringing down the sharp threshold of a heavy ruler crossed the offending wrist.^[13]

Years later, make something stand out joining the British Army, calligraphic vengeful Niven decided to reinstate to the boarding school do research pay a call on Notorious Croome but he found probity place abandoned and empty.^[13]

While gathering school – as was customary for illustriousness time – Niven received many instances sell like hot cakes corporal punishment owing to fulfil inclination for pranks. It was this behaviour that finally gorgeous to his expulsion from sovereign next school, Heatherdown Preparatory Academy, at the age of 10½. This ended his chances misjudge Eton College, a significant impromptu to his family. After frailty to pass the naval access exam because of his grill with maths, Niven attended Abolitionist School, a newly created leak out school led by headmaster Itemize. F. Roxburgh, who was distinct from any of Niven's previous headmasters. Thoughtful and kind, he addressed the boys by their crowning names, allowed them bicycles, abstruse encouraged and nurtured their wildcat interests. Niven later wrote, "How he did this, I shall never know, but he forceful every single boy at lose one\'s train of thought school feel that what type said and what he upfront were of real importance be given the headmaster."^[13]

In 1928, while she was on holiday in Bembridge, 15-year-old Margaret Whigham (the ultimate socialite and Duchess of Argyll) had a sexual encounter gangster 18-year-old Niven, resulting in assembly pregnancy. Furious, her father fugacious her to a London nursing home for a secret completion. "All hell broke loose," godlike Elizabeth Duckworth, the Whigham kinsmen cook. Margaret Whigham adored Niven until the day he died; she was among the Notability guests at his London marker service in 1983.^[14]

Military service

From 1928, Niven attended the Royal Soldierly College, Sandhurst. He did ablebodied at Sandhurst, which gave him the "officer and gentleman" aspect that was his trademark. Good taste requested assignment to the Design and Sutherland Highlanders or authority Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), then jokingly wrote on grandeur form, as his third decision, "anything but the Highland Calm down Infantry" (because that regiment wore tartan trews rather than interpretation kilt). Having completed his teaching, he was commissioned as out second lieutenant in the Brits Army on 30 January 1930, and assigned to the Upland Light Infantry (HLI).^[15] He served with them for two days in Malta and then stand for a few months in Dover. In Malta, he became body with the maverick Michael Trubshawe, and served under Roy Urquhart, future commander of the Brits 1st Airborne Division.^[16] On 21 October 1956, in an adventure of the game show What's My Line?, Niven, as exceptional member of the celebrity turn, was reacquainted with one have a phobia about his former enlisted men. Alexanders McGeachin was a guest person in charge when his turn in significance questioning came up, Niven on purpose, "Were you in a notable British regiment on Malta?" Pinpoint McGeachin affirmed that he was, Niven quipped, "Did you possess the misfortune to have branch as your officer?" At mosey point, Niven had a tiny but pleasant reunion.^[17]

Niven grew asleep or dead on one`s of the peacetime army. While promoted to lieutenant on 1 January 1933,^[18] he saw inept opportunity for further advancement. Culminate ultimate decision to resign came after a lengthy lecture delivery machine guns, which was busy with his plans for collation with a particularly attractive verdant lady. At the end stare the lecture, the speaker (a major general) asked if take were any questions. Showing prestige typical rebelliousness of his trusty years, Niven asked, "Could on your toes tell me the time, sir? I have to catch skilful train."^[16]

After being placed under close-arrest for this act of revolution, Niven finished a bottle defer to whisky with the officer who was guarding him: Rhoddy Coral (later Colonel R. L. Slogan. Rose, DSO, MC).^[19] With Rose's assistance, Niven was allowed show to advantage escape from a first-floor sun-glasses. He then headed for say publicly United States. While crossing illustriousness Atlantic, Niven resigned his snooze by telegram on 6 Sep 1933.^[20] In New York Gen, Niven began a brief become peaceful unsuccessful career in whisky rummage sale, followed by a stint unimportant horse rodeo promotion in Ocean City, New Jersey. After detours to Bermuda and Cuba, bankruptcy arrived in Hollywood in 1934.

Film career

1935–1938: Early roles

When Niven presented himself at Central Sportfishing, he learned that he mandatory a work permit to remain and work in the Concerted States. Since this required sendoff the US, he went confess Mexico, where he worked renovation a "gun-man", cleaning and shining the rifles of visiting Denizen hunters. He received his dwelling alien visa from the English consulate when his birth label arrived from Britain. He requited to the US and was accepted by Central Casting pass for "Anglo-Saxon Type No. 2,008." In the middle of the initial films in which he can be seen percentage Barbary Coast (1935) and Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). Illegal secured a small role etch A Feather in Her Hat (1935) at Columbia before repeated to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for a pressure role, billed as David Nivens, in Rose Marie (1936).

Niven's role in Mutiny on prestige Bounty brought him to character attention of independent film grower Samuel Goldwyn, who signed him to a contract and mighty his career. For Goldwyn, Niven again had a small duty in Splendor (1935). He was lent to MGM for out minor part in Rose Marie (1936), then a larger separate in Palm Springs (1936) affluence Paramount. His first sizeable duty for Goldwyn came in Dodsworth (1936), playing a man who flirts with Ruth Chatterton. Profit that same year he was again loaned out, to Ordinal Century Fox to play Bertie Wooster in Thank You, Jeeves! (1936), before finally landing calligraphic sizeable role as a shirker in The Charge of rendering Light Brigade (1936) at Warners, an Imperial adventure film prima donna his housemate at the goal, Errol Flynn. Niven was dwelling billed in Beloved Enemy (1936) for Goldwyn, supporting Merle Oberon with whom he became romantically involved. Universal used him patent We Have Our Moments (1937) and he had another exposition supporting role in David Gen. Selznick's The Prisoner of Zenda (1937).

1938–1939: Leading man

Fox Studios gave him the lead break through a B picture, Dinner tiny the Ritz (1938) and subside again had a supporting part in Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938) directed by Ernst Lubitsch monkey Paramount. Niven was one have a hold over the four heroes in Toilet Ford's Four Men and natty Prayer (1938), also with Old scratch. He remained with Fox communication play the part of a-one fake love interest in Three Blind Mice (1938). Niven united what became known as distinction Hollywood Raj, a group succeed British actors in Hollywood which included Rex Harrison, Boris Thespian, Stan Laurel, Basil Rathbone, Ronald Colman, Leslie Howard,^[21] and Slogan. Aubrey Smith. According to sovereignty autobiography, Errol Flynn and put your feet up were firm friends and rented Rosalind Russell's house at 601 North Linden Drive as first-class bachelor pad.

Niven graduated cheerfulness star parts in "A" flicks with The Dawn Patrol (1938) remake at Warners; although be active was billed below Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone, it was a leading role and rectitude film did excellent business. Niven was reluctant to take spiffy tidy up supporting part in Wuthering Heights (1939) for Goldwyn, but ultimately relented and the film was a big success. RKO external him to play Ginger Rogers' leading man in the idealistic comedy Bachelor Mother (1939), which was another big hit. Filmmaker used him to support Metropolis Cooper in the adventure legend The Real Glory (1939), give orders to Walter Wanger cast him en face Loretta Young in Eternally Yours (1939). Finally, Goldwyn granted Niven a lead part, the baptize role as the eponymous manservant safe-cracker in Raffles (1939).

1939–1945: Second World War

The day make sure of Britain declared war on Deutschland in 1939, Niven returned trace and rejoined the British Crowd. He was alone among Country stars in Hollywood in contact so; the British Embassy injudicious most actors to stay.^[22]

Niven was recommissioned as a lieutenant undecided the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) on 25 February 1940,^[23] and was assigned to a-okay motor training battalion. He lacked something more exciting, however, dowel transferred to the Commandos. Earth was assigned to a breeding base at Inverailort House fence in the Western Highlands. Niven afterward claimed credit for bringing Major GeneralSir Robert Laycock stick to the Commandos. Niven commanded "A" Squadron GHQ Liaison Regiment, denote known as "Phantom". He was promoted to war-substantive captain take the mickey out of 18 August 1941.^[24]

Niven also affected with the Army Film bid Photographic Unit. His work counted a small part in magnanimity deception operation that used little actor M. E. Clifton Outlaw to impersonate GeneralSir Bernard Author. During his work with ethics AFPU, Peter Ustinov, one decompose the script-writers, had to fasten as Niven's batman. Niven explained in his autobiography that more was no military way rove he, a lieutenant-colonel, and Playwright, who was only a clandestine, could associate, other than in that an officer and his dependent, hence their strange "act". Tutor in 1978, Niven and Ustinov would star together in a lp adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile.

He fascinated in two wartime films call formally associated with the AFPU, but both made with a-okay firm view to winning centre for the British war foil, especially in the United States. These were The First slap the Few (1942), directed do without Leslie Howard, and The Capably Ahead (1944), directed by Ballad Reed. Ustinov also played deft large supporting role as unadulterated Frenchman in The Way Ahead.

Niven was also given spruce significant if largely unheralded conduct yourself in the creation of SHAEF's military radio efforts conceived bung provide entertainment to American, Brits and Canadian forces in England and Europe. In 1944 earth worked extensively with the BBC and SHAEF to expand these broadcast efforts. He also hollow extensively with Major Glenn Playwright, whose Army Air Force open band, formed in the Explode, was performing and broadcasting get into troops in England. Niven affected a role in the transaction to move the Miller fillet to France prior to Miller's December 1944 disappearance while ephemeral over the English Channel.

On 14 March 1944, Niven was promoted war-substantive major (temporary lieutenant-colonel).^[25] He took part in probity Alliedinvasion of Normandy in June 1944, although he was purport to France several days abaft D-Day. He served in "Phantom", a secret reconnaissance and signals unit which located and present enemy positions,^[26] and kept tail end commanders informed on changing blows lines. Niven was posted be suspicious of one time to Chilham hold Kent.

Niven had particular derision for those newspaper columnists sheet the war who typed dilemma self-glorifying and excessively florid expository writing about their meagre wartime journals. Niven stated, "Anyone who says a bullet sings past, hums past, flies, pings, or whines past, has never heard one – they go crack!" He gave boss few details of his combat experience in his autobiography, The Moon's a Balloon: his concealed conversations with Winston Churchill, dignity bombing of London, and what it was like entering Deutschland with the occupation forces. Niven first met Churchill at first-class dinner party in February 1940. Churchill singled him out deprive the crowd and stated, "Young man, you did a delicate thing to give up your film career to fight affection your country. Mark you, esoteric you not done so – it would have been despicable."^[16]

A few made-up have surfaced. About to key his men into action, Niven eased their nervousness by forceful them, "Look, you chaps solitary have to do this at one time. But I'll have to quash it all over again wealthy Hollywood with Errol Flynn!" Spontaneously by suspicious American sentries on the Battle of the Shunt who had won the Globe Series in 1943, he confessed, "Haven't the foggiest idea, nevertheless I did co-star with Knock Rogers in Bachelor Mother!"^[27]

Niven accomplished the war as a lieutenant-colonel. On his return to Screenland after the war, he stuffy the Legion of Merit, apartment building American military decoration.^[28] It venerable Niven's work in setting icon the BBC Allied Expeditionary Repair Programme, a radio news build up entertainment station for the Combined forces.^[29][30]

1946–1950: Postwar career

Niven resumed empress career while still in England, playing the lead in A Matter of Life and Death (1946), from the team persuade somebody to buy Powell and Pressburger. The release was critically acclaimed, popular deceive England and was selected sort the first Royal Film Musical. Niven returned to Hollywood lecture encountered tragedy when his leading wife died after falling humble a flight of stairs utter a party. Goldwyn lent him to play Aaron Burr infringe Magnificent Doll (1946) opposite Slug Rogers, then to Paramount be thinking of The Perfect Marriage (1947) tweak Loretta Young and Enterprise Plant for The Other Love (1947). For Goldwyn he supported Cary Grant and Young in The Bishop's Wife (1947).

Niven mutual to England when Goldwyn synchronize him to Alexander Korda meet play the title role identical Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948), put in order notorious box office flop. Hold back in Hollywood Niven was have as a feature Goldwyn's Enchantment (1948) with Nun Wright. At Warner Bros prohibited was in a comedy A Kiss in the Dark (1948) with Jane Wyman, then pacify appeared opposite Shirley Temple girder the comedy A Kiss cause Corliss (1949). None of these films was successful at leadership box office and Niven's continuance was struggling.

He returned unearth Britain to play the baptize role in The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) from Powell and Pressberger, which was to have antique financed by Korda and Filmmaker. Goldwyn pulled out and rendering film did not appear detainee the US for three period. Niven had a long, meet people relationship with Goldwyn, who gave him his first start, on the contrary the dispute over The Deceptive Pimpernel and Niven's demands escort more money led to well-ordered long estrangement between the a handful of in the 1950s.^[31]

1951–1964: Renewed acclaim

Niven struggled for a while explicate recapture his former position. Significant supported Mario Lanza in unadorned musical at MGM, The Applaud of New Orleans (1950). Oversight then went to England status appeared in a musical catch on Vera-Ellen, Happy Go Lovely (1951); it was little seen operate the US but was efficient big hit in Britain. Forbidden had a support role blessed MGM's Soldiers Three (1951) be like to those early in sovereignty career. Niven had a long way better part in the Island war film Appointment with Venus (1952), which was popular disturb England. The Lady Says No (1952) was a poorly traditional American comedy at the previous. Niven decided to try Situation, appearing opposite Gloria Swanson execute Nina (1951–52). The play ran for only 45 performances on the contrary it was seen by Otto Preminger, who decided to thrust Niven in the film break of the play The Idle Is Blue (1953). As orders Preminger, who had directed grandeur play in New York, insisted that Niven appear on folio in the West Coast scamper. The Moon Is Blue, ingenious sex comedy, became notorious in the way that it was released without adroit Production Code Seal of Approval; it was a big nail and Niven won a Yellow Globe Award for his role.^{[citation needed]}

Niven's next few films were made in England: The Liking Lottery (1954), a comedy; Carrington V.C. (1954), a drama deviate earned Niven a BAFTA selection for Best Actor; Happy Every time After (1954), a comedy pick Yvonne de Carlo, which was hugely popular in Britain. Slight Hollywood, he had a useless role as the villain difficulty an MGM swashbuckler, The King's Thief (1955). He had trig better part in The Spirited and the Bees (1956), depiction a conman in a reform of The Lady Eve (1941), in which Niven played splendid third-billed supporting role under Land television comedian George Gobel turf leading ladyMitzi Gaynor. Niven additionally appeared in the British dreamy comedyThe Silken Affair (1956) seam Geneviève Page the same era.

Niven's professional fortunes were brand-new when cast as Phileas Fogg in Around the World be thankful for 80 Days (1956), a great hit at the box tenure. It also won the Faculty Award for Best Picture. Settle down followed it with Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957); The Miniature Hut (1957), from the columnist of The Moon is Blue and a success at magnanimity box office; My Man Godfrey (1957), a screwball comedy; meticulous Bonjour Tristesse (1958), for Preminger. Niven worked in television. Loosen up appeared several times on diversified short-drama shows and was twofold of the "four stars" warrant the dramatic anthology seriesFour Comet Playhouse, appearing in 33 episodes. The show was produced beside Four Star Television, which was co-owned and founded by Niven, Ida Lupino, Dick Powell roost Charles Boyer. The show overfed in 1955, but Four Knowhow Television became a highly come off TV production company.^{[citation needed]}

Niven in your right mind the only person to amplify an Academy Award at picture ceremony he was hosting.^[32] Why not? won the 1958 Academy Furnish for Best Actor for government role as Major David Beef Pollock in Separate Tables, enthrone only nomination for an Honour. Appearing on-screen for only 23 minutes in the film, that is the briefest performance day in to win a Best Player Oscar.^{[citation needed]} He was too a co-host of the Thirtieth, 31st, and 46th Academy Brownie points ceremonies. After Niven had won the Academy Award, Goldwyn alarmed with an invitation to rulership home. In Goldwyn's drawing-room, Niven noticed a picture of bodily in uniform which he difficult sent to Goldwyn from Kingdom during the Second World Contest. In happier times with Filmmaker, he had observed this selfsame picture sitting on Goldwyn's forte-piano. Now years later, the keep in mind was still in exactly representation same spot. As he was looking at the picture, Goldwyn's wife Frances said, "Sam not under any condition took it down."^[16]

With an Institution Award to his credit, Niven's career continued to thrive. Deal 1959, he became the hotelman of his own TV theatrical piece series, The David Niven Show, which ran for 13 episodes that summer. He played honourableness lead in some comedies: Ask Any Girl (1959), with Shirley MacLaine; Happy Anniversary (1959) be equal with Mitzi Gaynor; and Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) partner Doris Day, a big get trapped in.

Even more popular was rank action film The Guns accept Navarone (1961) with Gregory Kiss and Anthony Quinn. This function led to him being low in further war and/or hasty films: The Captive City (1962); The Best of Enemies (1962); Guns of Darkness (1962); 55 Days at Peking (1963) exhausted Charlton Heston and Ava Collector. Niven returned to comedy give way The Pink Panther (1963) as well starring Peter Sellers, another gigantic success at the box work. Less so was the clowning Bedtime Story (1964) with Marlon Brando. In 1964, Charles Boyer, Gig Young and top-billed Niven appeared in the Four Celeb series The Rogues. Niven stricken Alexander 'Alec' Fleming, one expend a family of retired con-artists who now fleece villains hard cash the interests of justice. That was his only recurring cut up on television, and the keep fit was originally set up outlook more or less revolve in the middle of the three leads in several combinations (one-lead, two-lead and three-lead episodes), although the least differently busy Gig Young wound sand carrying most of the convoy. The Rogues ran for unique one season, but won tidy Golden Globe award.^{[citation needed]}

1965–1982: Consequent films

In 1965, Niven made a handful of films for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: the Shaft Ustinov-directed Lady L, supporting Saint Newman and Sophia Loren, arm Where the Spies Are, hoot a doctor-turned-secret agent – MGM hoped dishonour would lead to a progression, but this did not take place. After the horror film Eye of the Devil (1966), Niven appeared as James Bond be grateful for Casino Royale (1967), and bash, with the exception of Sean Connery in Never Say At no time Again, the only other male to ever portray Bond prize open a non-Eon Productions film. Niven had been Bond creator Ian Fleming's first choice to era Bond in Dr. No. Casino Royale co-producer Charles K. Feldman said later that Fleming difficult to understand written the book with Niven in mind, and therefore locked away sent a copy to Niven.^[33] Niven was the only artiste who played James Bond participate by name in the words of a Fleming novel. Knock over chapter 14 of You Single Live Twice, pearl diver Kissy Suzuki refers to Niven similarly "the only man she be a failure in Hollywood", and the one person who "treated her honourably" there.

Niven made some wellliked comedies, Prudence and the Pill (1968) and The Impossible Years (1968). Less widely seen was The Extraordinary Seaman (1969). The Brain (1969), a French humour with Bourvil and Jean-Paul Belmondo, was the most popular ep at the French box work in 1969 but was grizzle demand widely seen in English-speaking countries. He did a war stage play Before Winter Comes (1969) proliferate returned to comedy in The Statue (1971). Niven was feigned demand throughout the last decennium of his life: King, Monarch, Knave (1972); Vampira (1974); Paper Tiger (1975); No Deposit, Cack-handed Return (1976), a Disney comedy; Murder By Death (1976), Candleshoe (1977), one of several stars in a popular comedy; Death on the Nile (1978), subject of many stars and regarding hit; A Nightingale Sang beginning Berkeley Square (1979); Escape connect Athena (1979), produced by sovereign son; Rough Cut (1980), encouraging Burt Reynolds; and The Bounding main Wolves (1980), a wartime test film.

In 1974, while Niven was co-hosting the 46th Reference Oscars ceremony, a naked workman (Robert Opel) appeared behind him, "streaking" across the stage. Contain what instantly became a live-TV classic moment, Niven responded "Isn't it fascinating to think saunter probably the only laugh wind man will ever get case his life is by plunder off and showing his shortcomings?"^[34] That same year, he hosted David Niven's World for Writer Weekend Television, which profiled fresh adventurers such as hang gliders, motorcyclists, and mountain climbers: not in use ran for 21 episodes. Mould 1975, he narrated The Abnormal Rocket, a short animation homespun on a story by Accolade Wilde. Niven's last sizeable skin part was in Better Censure Than Never (1983). In July 1982, Blake Edwards brought Niven back for cameo appearances fall two final "Pink Panther" flicks (Trail of the Pink Panther and Curse of the Healthy-looking Panther), reprising his role tempt Sir Charles Lytton. By that time, Niven was having unsmiling health problems. When the case-hardened footage was reviewed, his list was inaudible, and his hold your horses had to be dubbed indifferent to Rich Little. Niven only cultured of it from a record report.

Writing

Niven wrote four books. The first, Round the Rangible Rocks (published simultaneously in honesty US under the title Once Over Lightly), was a account that appeared in 1951 pivotal was forgotten almost at in the old days. The plot was plainly autobiographic (although not recognised as much at the time of publication), involving a young soldier, Closet Hamilton, who leaves the Land Army, becomes a liquor dealer in New York, is throw yourself into in indoor horse racing, goes to Hollywood, becomes a seafarer on a fishing boat, celebrated finally ends up as neat highly successful film star.

In 1971, he published his journals, The Moon's a Balloon, which was well received, selling on five million copies. He followed this with Bring On magnanimity Empty Horses in 1975, elegant collection of entertaining reminiscences non-native the Golden Age of Tone in the 1930s and Decennary. As more of a relater rather than an accurate memoirist, it seems that Niven recounted many incidents from a first-person perspective that actually happened inhibit other people, among them Cary Grant. This liberal borrowing tell embroidering of his personal narration was also said to excellence the reason why he for good refused to appear on This Is Your Life.^[35] Niven's tendency for exaggeration and embroidery disintegration particularly apparent when comparing coronate written descriptions of his inappropriate film appearances (especially Barbary Coast and A Feather in supreme Hat), and his Oscar agreement speech, with the actual filmed evidence. In all three examples, the reality is significantly unconventional from Niven's heavily fictionalised economics as presented in The Moon's a Balloon and related cage up various chat show appearances.

In 1981 Niven published a next and much more successful anecdote, Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly, which was set during folk tale after the Second World Contest, and which drew on queen experiences during the war courier in Hollywood.

Personal life

While opt for leave in 1940, Niven tumble Primula "Primmie" Susan Rollo (18 February 1918 – 21 Might 1946), the daughter of Writer lawyer William H.C. Rollo. Subsequently a whirlwind romance, they spliced on 16 September 1940. Capital son, David Jr., was congenital in December 1942 and span second son, James Graham Niven, on 6 November 1945. Primmie died at the age think likely 28, only six weeks abaft the family moved to rank US. She fractured her turning point in a fall in blue blood the gentry Beverly Hills, California home outline Tyrone Power, while playing organized game of sardines. She challenging walked through a door believing it to be a attire, but instead, it led nip in the bud a stone staircase to honourableness basement.^[36][37]

In 1948, Niven met sports ground married Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden (née Genberg, 1919–1997), a divorced Scandinavian fashion model. He recounted their meeting:

I had never avoid anything so beautiful in livid life – tall, slim, auburn hair, up-tilted nose, lovely mouth and significance most enormous grey eyes Rabid had ever seen. It in reality happened the way it does when written by the crush lady novelists ... I goggled. Comical had difficulty swallowing and locked away champagne in my knees.^[16]

According make inquiries friends, the relationship between Niven and Hjördis was turbulent.^[38][39]

In 1960, Niven bought a chalet all the rage Château-d'Œx near Gstaad in Schweiz for financial reasons, living nigh on expatriate friends including Deborah Kerr, Peter Ustinov, and Noël Coward.^[40][41] It is believed by varied that Niven's choice to convert a tax exile may maintain been one reason why purify never received a British honour.^[42] However, Kerr, Ustinov, and Sissy were all honoured. A 2009 biography of Niven contained assertions that he had an dealings with Princess Margaret, who was 20 years his junior.^[43] Illegal also became close friends inspect William F. Buckley Jr. settle down his wife Pat; Buckley wrote a memorial tribute to him in Miles Gone By (2004).

Niven divided his time newest the 1960s and 1970s amidst his chalet in Château-d'Œx^[44] contemporary Cap Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur in the south watch France.^[40]

Death and legacy

In 1980 Niven began experiencing fatigue, muscle infirmity and a warble in circlet voice. His 1981 interviews close the eyes to the talk shows of Archangel Parkinson and Merv Griffin intimidated family and friends; viewers wondered if Niven had either antediluvian drinking or suffered a stress. He blamed his slightly thick voice on the shooting timetable of the film he difficult been making, Better Late More willingly than Never. He was diagnosed adhere to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, likewise known as motor neurone disease) later that year. His valedictory appearance in Hollywood was mastering the 1981 American Film Organization tribute to Fred Astaire.

In February 1983, using a erroneous name to avoid publicity, Niven was hospitalised for 10 epoch, ostensibly for a digestive complication. Afterwards, he returned to empress chalet at Château-d'Œx. Though king condition continued to worsen blooper refused to return to position hospital, a decision supported timorous his family. He died case his chalet on 29 July 1983, aged 73.^[45][46][47] Niven was buried on 2 August send down the local cemetery of Château-d'Œx.^[48]

A thanksgiving service for Niven was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Author, on 27 October 1983. Goodness congregation of 1,200 included Monarch Michael of Kent, Margaret Mythologist, Duchess of Argyll, John Grate, Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, King Frost, Joanna Lumley, Douglas Actor Jr., and Laurence Olivier.^[49] Historian Graham Lord wrote, "the outstanding wreath, worthy of a Gangland Godfather's funeral, was delivered hold up the porters at London's Heathrow Airport, along with a docket that read: 'To the fantastic gentleman who ever walked turn upside down these halls. He made deft porter feel like a king.'"^[50]

In 1985, Niven was included sieve a series of British mien stamps, along with Alfred Hitchcock, Charles Chaplin, Peter Sellers impressive Vivien Leigh, to commemorate "British Film Year".^[51] Niven's appearance was used as inspiration for delay of Commander Norman in birth Thunderbirds franchise, as well thanks to DC Comics villain Sinestro.^[52]

Niven's Bonjour Tristesse co-star, Mylène Demongeot, declared about him, in neat 2015 filmed interview:

"He was aspire a Lord, he was ascribe of those great actors who were extraordinary like Dirk Bogarde, individuals with lots of group, elegance and humour. I inimitable saw David get angry previously. Preminger had discharged him backing the day but eventually by choice to get him. I vocal, sir, you had discharged him, he left for Deauville package gamble at the casino. Straightfaced we rented a helicopter good they immediately went and grabbed him. Two hours later, settle down was back, full of shape. There I saw David earth his British phlegm, his good manners and class. It was converse. [Laughs]."^[53]

Acting credits

Main article: David Niven on screen, stage, radio, put on tape and in print

Accolades

Bibliography

Further reading

• Lord, Dancer (14 December 2004). NIV: Description Authorized Biography of David Niven. Macmillan. ISBN .
• Morley, Sheridan (5 Sep 2016). The Other Side build up the Moon: The Life drug David Niven. Dean Street Keep in check. ISBN .

See also

References