Brian Aherne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brian Aherne
Aherne in the trailer for I Confess (1953)
Born	William Brian de Lacy Aherne (1902-05-02)2 May 1902 Kings Norton, England
Died	10 February 1986(1986-02-10) (aged 83) Venice, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1910–1967
Spouse(s)	Joan Fontaine ​ ​ (m. 1939; div. 1945)​ Eleanor de Liagre Labrot ​ (m. 1946)​

William Brian de Lacy Aherne (born May 2, 1902 – died February 10, 1986) was a famous English actor. He had a long and exciting career. Brian Aherne acted on stage, in movies, on radio, and on television. He worked in both Britain and the United States.

He first became well-known on Broadway in 1931. He starred with Katharine Cornell in a play called The Barretts of Wimpole Street. They worked together many times after that. In movies, he acted alongside big stars like Bette Davis and Carole Lombard. He was even nominated for an Oscar! This was for his role as Emperor Maximilian in the movie Juarez (1939). On TV, you might have seen him in shows like The Twilight Zone and Wagon Train.

Brian Aherne's Early Life and Acting Start

Growing Up in England

Brian Aherne was born in King's Norton, England, on May 2, 1902. His father, William de Lacy Aherne, was an architect. Brian was the younger of two sons. His older brother, Pat Aherne, also became an actor.

Brian went to school in Edgbaston, Birmingham. As a child, he started learning to act at the Italia Conti Academy in London. He then finished his education at Malvern College.

First Steps on the English Stage

Brian Aherne first performed on stage in Birmingham in 1910. He was in a play called Fifinella. His first show in London was at the Garrick Theatre in 1913. It was a play called Where the Rainbow Ends, which was very popular for over 25 years.

After school, Brian thought about becoming an architect. But he loved acting! He had a lot of experience in amateur plays. So, he decided to become a professional actor. In 1923, he appeared at London's Savoy Theatre. He played Jack O'Hara in a play called Paddy the Next Best Thing.

He then toured with famous actress Violet Vanbrugh. He also appeared at the London Playhouse in a play called White Cargo. He acted in this play for a long time, from 1924 to 1925.

Early English Films

Brian Aherne's first movie was The Eleventh Commandment in 1924. He made several films at Cricklewood Studios. This was the biggest British film company at the time. Some of his early films included The Squire of Long Hadley (1925) and A Woman Redeemed (1927). He also starred in King of the Castle (1925) and the comedy Safety First (1926).

In 1926, he traveled to Australia with actor Dion Boucicault Jr.. There, he performed in several plays by J. M. Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan. Brian played roles in plays like Quality Street and What Every Woman Knows.

He returned to London in 1927 and continued acting on stage. His last silent movies were Shooting Stars and Underground. Brian Aherne made his first "talkie" (movie with sound) in 1930. It was called The W Plan. He also acted with Madeleine Carroll in Madame Guillotine (1931).

Brian Aherne's Career in the United States

Aherne as Robert Browning and Katharine Cornell as Elizabeth in The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1931)

Broadway Success

Brian Aherne first appeared on a New York City stage in 1931. He played Robert Browning in The Barretts of Wimpole Street. His co-star was Katharine Cornell. The play was a huge hit, running for 370 performances. Brian and Katharine became very close friends and worked together often.

He returned to Broadway in 1932 for a play called Lucrece. After that, he went to Hollywood. His first American movie was The Song of Songs (1933), with Marlene Dietrich.

He then went back to England to star in the film The Constant Nymph (1933). In 1934, he was back on Broadway with Katharine Cornell. They performed in Romeo and Juliet, where he played Mercutio.

Becoming a Hollywood Star

In Hollywood, Brian Aherne acted with Ann Harding in The Fountain. He also starred with Helen Hayes in What Every Woman Knows (1934). He was in I Live My Life (1935) with Joan Crawford, which was a big success. In 1935, he and Katharine Cornell brought back The Barretts of Wimpole Street for a short run.

He then made Sylvia Scarlett (1935) with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. This movie was not very popular at the time. Brian returned to Broadway for Saint Joan (1936). He also appeared in Beloved Enemy (1936) with Merle Oberon. In 1937, he played Iago in Othello on Broadway.

At Warner Bros., Brian Aherne was the main star in The Great Garrick (1937). He also acted with Constance Bennett in the comedy Merrily We Live (1938). He received an Oscar nomination for his role as Emperor Maximilian in Juarez (1939).

He starred as a bushranger (an Australian outlaw) in Captain Fury (1939). He then acted with Carole Lombard in Vigil in the Night (1940) and reunited with Madeleine Carroll in My Son, My Son! (1940).

More Film Roles

Brian Aherne was the top star in The Lady in Question (1940) with Rita Hayworth. He made Hired Wife (1940) with Rosalind Russell. He also starred in The Man Who Lost Himself (1941) with Kay Francis.

He supported Jeanette MacDonald in Smilin' Through (1941). He also acted with Claudette Colbert in Skylark (1941) and Rosalind Russell in My Sister Eileen (1942). He was one of many stars in Forever and a Day (1943).

In 1943, Brian Aherne took a break from films. He became a flight instructor for the Royal Air Force in Arizona. He was one of the highest-paid people at Columbia Pictures that year.

After the War

In 1945, Brian and Katharine Cornell brought back The Barretts of Wimpole Street on Broadway. Brian then appeared in The French Touch (1945–1946).

He returned to movies with The Locket (1946). He was the main star in Smart Woman (1948). He also made Drums Along the Amazon (1948). Brian was in a Broadway play called She Stoops to Conquer (1949–1950).

Television Appearances

Brian Aherne started acting on television in 1950. He appeared in shows like The Ford Theatre Hour and Armstrong Circle Theatre. He also acted in Lux Video Theatre and Pulitzer Prize Playhouse.

He and Katharine Cornell worked together again on stage in The Constant Wife (1951–1952). Then Brian went back to Hollywood. He had important roles in I Confess (1953), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He also played Captain E.J. Smith in Titanic (1953).

Brian Aherne played King Arthur in the movie Prince Valiant. He also appeared in A Bullet Is Waiting (1954). He continued to appear on TV shows like General Electric Theater and Producers' Showcase.

In 1957, he toured the country playing Professor Henry Higgins in the musical My Fair Lady. In 1960, he starred in an episode of The Twilight Zone called "The Trouble with Templeton."

He had a big supporting role in the movie The Best of Everything (1959). His last Broadway show was Dear Liar (1960) with Katharine Cornell. He played George Bernard Shaw in that play. He also acted in the movie Susan Slade (1961). He appeared on TV shows like Wagon Train and Rawhide.

Final Acting Years

Brian Aherne's last movie roles included playing King Arthur again in Lancelot and Guinevere (1963). He was also in The Waltz King (1964) for Disney, where he played Johann Strauss I. His very last film was Rosie! (1967).

He moved to Switzerland for a while. In 1970, he appeared as a mystery guest on the TV show What's My Line?.

Radio Work

Brian Aherne also had a career in radio. In 1945, he played the detective Simon Templar in the mystery series The Saint. He also appeared on The Burns and Allen Show.

Personal Life and Passing

Brian Aherne was married to actress Joan Fontaine from 1939 to 1945. They later divorced. In 1946, he married Eleanor de Liagre Labrot. They stayed married until his death.

Brian Aherne wrote two books. One was his autobiography, A Proper Job, published in 1969. The other was A Dreadful Man (1979), a book about his friend George Sanders.

Brian Aherne was also a pilot. He was one of the first members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Brian Aherne passed away from heart failure in Venice, Florida, on February 10, 1986. He was 83 years old.

Recognition and Awards

Brian Aherne has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can find it at 1772 Vine Street.

He was nominated for an Oscar in 1940 for his role in the movie Juarez.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Brian Aherne para niños