Years active 1906–1956 Role Actor | Name Peter Gawthorne | |
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Born 1 September 1884 Queen's County, Ireland, UK Died March 17, 1962, London, United Kingdom Movies The Amazing Quest of, "Pimpernel" Smith, Ask a Policeman, I Thank You, Gasbags Similar People Marcel Varnel, Alfred Zeisler, Marriott Edgar, Edward Black, Val Guest | ||
Peter Gawthorne (1 September 1884 – 17 March 1962) was an Anglo-Irish actor, probably best known for his roles in Will Hay films. Gawthorne was one of Britain's most called-upon bit part actors during the 1940s and 50s.
He was born in 1884 in Queen's County in Ireland, but spent most of his career in England. After two years at the Academy of Dramatic Art, Gawthorne began a career on the London stage, eventually running up over twenty years experience on the stage. His debut was in 1906, a walking on part at His Majesty's Theatre, London. He was featured in the role of Albany Pope, receiving good notices, in the hit musical The Boy in 1917.
He worked for a number of companies but, in particular, Gainsborough Studios. He also toured Australia, South Africa and Americas, going into films in America before returning to Britain. Gawthorne also studied singing.
He worked extensively in cinema often playing military officers and stern, authority figures, many of whom frequently clashed with the bumbling idiots played by Will Hay and other well-known comedians such as George Formby, The Crazy Gang, Jessie Matthews, Jack Hulbert, Alastair Sim and Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch.
He also worked with a number of famous straight actors including George Arliss, Errol Flynn and Leslie Banks.