James Mason
Acting
Born: May 15, 1909 · Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK
Died: July 27, 1984 (aged 75)
Highest Rated
Biography
James Neville Mason (known as James Mason; May 15, 1909 – July 27, 1984) was an English actor who made a significant impact on both British and American cinema. His acting career began in the 1930s, where he initially gained recognition for his stage performances in London's West End. He made his film debut in 1935 with the British film "Late Extra," marking the start of his illustrious on-screen journey. Throughout his career, Mason showcased his exceptional acting abilities, often portraying complex and morally ambiguous characters. His commanding presence, distinctive voice, and versatile range allowed him to effortlessly transition between genres, from dramas to thrillers and even period pieces. One of Mason's most acclaimed performances came in 1945 when he starred as the troubled and enigmatic Johnny McQueen in the film "Odd Man Out." His portrayal of the wounded Irish nationalist earned him widespread praise and established him as a respected leading man. Mason's notable filmography includes memorable roles in films such as "The Wicked Lady" (1945), "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" (1951), "A Star Is Born" (1954), "North by Northwest" (1959), and "Lolita" (1962). His ability to bring depth, sophistication, and complexity to his characters captivated audiences and garnered critical acclaim. Beyond his film career, Mason also dabbled in producing and directing. He co-produced and starred in the acclaimed film "A Star Is Born," showcasing his multifaceted talent and creative vision. Throughout his life, Mason was recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including three Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. He was highly regarded by his peers and critics alike for his impeccable craft and his ability to elevate any production he was a part of.
Known for
North by Northwest
1959
Lolita
1962
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
1954
The Verdict
1982
Jesus of Nazareth
1977
Salem's Lot
1979
Journey to the Center of the Earth
1959
Evil Under the Sun
1982
Cross of Iron
1977
The Boys from Brazil
1978
Heaven Can Wait
1978
A Star Is Born
1954
Photos (12)
Movies (129)
North by Northwest
Phillip Vandamm
Lolita
Prof. Humbert Humbert
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Captain Nemo
Evil Under the Sun
Odell Gardener
Mandingo
Warren Maxwell
The Verdict
Ed Concannon
Yellowbeard
Captain Hughes
The Boys from Brazil
Eduard Seibert
Julius Caesar
Brutus
The Fall of the Roman Empire
Timonides
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Sir Oliver S. Lindenbrook
Cross of Iron
Oberst Brandt
Lord Jim
Gentleman Brown
Heaven Can Wait
Mr. Jordan
Mayerling
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Voyage of the Damned
Dr. Juan Remos
Cold Sweat
Captain Ross
Cry Terror!
Jim Molner
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
A Star Is Born
Norman Maine
Age of Consent
Bradley Morahan
North Sea Hijack
Admiral Brindsen
The MacKintosh Man
Sir George Wheeler
Genghis Khan
Kam Ling
Murder by Decree
Dr. Watson
The Blue Max
General Count von Klugermann
Caught
Larry Quinada
5 Fingers
Ulysses Diello
Madame Bovary
Gustave Flaubert
The Story of Three Loves
Charles Coutray
Bloodline
Sir Alec Nichols
Bigger Than Life
Ed Avery
Odd Man Out
Johnny McQueen
The Last of Sheila
Philip Dexter
Hotel Reserve
Peter Vadassy
Duffy
Charles Calvert
Bad Man's River
Francisco Paco Montero
Ivanhoe
Isaac of York
Prince Valiant
Sir Brack
The Marseille Contract
Jacques Brizard
The Prisoner of Zenda
Rupert of Hentzau
Playhouse 90: The Hiding Place
Hans Frick
The Water Babies
Mr. Grimes / Voice of Killer Shark
Kill!
Alan Hamilton
The Desert Rats
Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel
Child's Play
Jerome Malley
The Deadly Affair
Charles Dobbs
The Pumpkin Eater
Bob Conway
The Passage
Professor Bergson
Island in the Sun
Maxwell Fleury
Stranger in the House
John Sawyer
The Man in Grey
Lord Rohan
Tiara Tahiti
Captain Brett Aimsley
Ellis in Freedomland
The Refrigerator (voice)
Great Expectations
Magwitch
Pandora and the Flying Dutchman
Hendrick van der Zee
Thunder Rock
Streeter
Georgy Girl
James Leamington
Charade
The Murderer / Maj. Linden / Jonah Watson
Kidnap Syndicate
Filippini
The Reckless Moment
Martin Donnelly
Fire Over England
Hillary Vane
The Trials of Oscar Wilde
Edward Carson
Frankenstein: The True Story
Dr. John Polidori
The Man Between
Ivo Kern
A Touch of Larceny
Cmdr. Max Easton
The Sea Gull
Trigorin
East Side, West Side
Brandon Bourne
Forever, Darling
Guardian Angel
The Assisi Underground
Bishop Nicolini
John Brown's Raid
John Brown
Alexandre
The Father
Inside Out
Ernst Furben
Spring and Port Wine
Rafe Crompton
One Way Street
Dr. Frank Matson
Fanny by Gaslight
Lord Manderstoke
Fear in the City
Chief of Police
They Were Sisters
Geoffrey Lee
Autobiography of a Princess
Cyril Sahib
The Miser
Valere - In love with Elise
Secret Mission
Raoul de Carnot
Botany Bay
Capt. Paul Gilbert
Lady Possessed
Jimmy Del Palma
The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go
Y.Y. Go
The Tell-Tale Heart
Narrator
The Wicked Lady
Captain Jerry Jackson
The Uninhibited
Pascal Regnier
Escape from Zahrain
Johnson
The Seventh Veil
Nicholas Cunningham
The Patient Vanishes
Mick Cardby
The Shooting Party
Sir Randolph Nettleby
Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Jean Tallien
The Flower in His Mouth
Avv. Antonio Bellocampo
11 Harrowhouse
Charles D. Watts
The High Command
Capt. Heverell
A Dangerous Summer
George Engels
Prison Breaker
'Bunny' Barnes
Torpedo Bay
Captain Blayne
Dr. Fischer of Geneva
Dr. Fischer
Lasseter's Bones
Archival Footage
Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Demon
The Decks Ran Red
Capt. Edwin Rummill
Hero's Island
Jacob Weber
The Bells Go Down
Ted Robbins
Candlelight in Algeria
Alan Thurston
The Upturned Glass
Michael Joyce
They Met in the Dark
Richard Francis Heritage
John Keats: His Life and Death
Narrator
A Place of One's Own
Henry Smedhurst
The Night Has Eyes
Stephen Deremid
The Popes and Their Art
Presentor
The Left Hand of the Law
Senatore Leandri
The Secret of Stamboul
Larry
Alibi
Andre Laurent
Theatre 62: Rebecca
Maxim de Winter
Hatter's Castle
Dr. Renwick
Face to Face
The Captain
Uncertain Verification
(archive footage)
Halloween Monster Bash
Stephen Deremid (archive footage)
The Wind in the Wires
Narrator
I Met a Murderer
Mark Warrow
The Reformation: Age of Revolt
Narrator
The Glory of the Garden
Narrator
The Mill on the Floss
Tom Tulliver
Late Extra
Jim Martin
The Marriage-Go-Round
Paul Delville
Twice Branded
Henry Hamilton
People of the Wind
Jafar Qoli (voice)
Homage to Chagall: The Colours of Love
Narrator - English version
TV Shows (17)
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Warren Barrow · 1 eps
Dr. Kildare
Dr. Maxwell Becker · 4 eps
Stoney Burke
The Derelict · 1 eps
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Henry Chambers · 1 eps
Jesus of Nazareth
Joseph of Arimathea · 4 eps
Salem's Lot
Richard K. Straker · 2 eps
ABC Stage 67
Otto Hoffman · 1 eps
Panic!
1 eps
A.D.
Tiberius · 5 eps
General Electric Theater
Wayne Sebastian · 1 eps
Origins of the Mafia
Vianisi · 1 eps
George Washington
Gen. Edward Braddock · 3 eps
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Captain Vialez · 1 eps
Frankenstein: The True Story
Dr. John Polidori · 2 eps
The Search for the Nile
Narrator · 6 eps
Unknown Chaplin
Narrator (voice) · 3 eps
The Search for Alexander the Great
Narrator · 4 eps
Self / Appearances (24)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · 8 eps
The Mike Douglas Show
Self · 2 eps
The Merv Griffin Show
Self · 1 eps
What's My Line?
Self · 6 eps
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self · 2 eps
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Guest · 1 eps
The Bob Hope Show
Self · 2 eps
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Self · 1 eps
Talking Pictures
Self (archive footage) · 1 eps
Hollywood
Self - Narrator · 13 eps
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Self - Host · 55 eps
Kubrick by Kubrick
Self (archive footage)
Night of 100 Stars
Self
The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun'
Self / Odell Gardener
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical
Self (archive)
Group Madness
Self
Sir John Mills' Moving Memories
Self (archive footage)
Sid & Judy
Self (archive footage)
James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate
Self
The London Nobody Knows
Himself - Narrator
Roger Moore: A Matter of Class
Self (archive footage)
Churchill and the Movie Mogul
Self (archive footage)
Home, James
Self
The Star of Bethlehem
Himself
