Colin Tapley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colin Tapley
Tapley as Dobbin in the Technicolor film Becky Sharp (1935)
Born	Colin Edward Livingstone Tapley (1909-05-07)7 May 1909 Dunedin, New Zealand
Died	1 December 1995(1995-12-01) (aged 86) Coates, Gloucestershire, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1933–1983
Spouse(s)	Patricia Hambro
Relatives	Harold Tapley (father)

Colin Edward Livingstone Tapley (born May 7, 1909 – died December 1, 1995) was a talented actor from New Zealand. He starred in many films in both America and Britain. Before becoming an actor, he had some amazing adventures! He served in the Royal Air Force and even went on an expedition to Antarctica.

Later, he won a talent contest held by Paramount Pictures. This led him to move to Hollywood, where he began his acting career. During Second World War, he moved to Britain and helped with the war effort. He worked as a flight controller for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

After the war, Colin Tapley returned to acting. His most famous role was as William Glanville in the movie The Dam Busters (1955). He often played police inspectors in his later career. He appeared in several films and TV shows in this role before he retired. He spent his retirement years in Gloucestershire, England.

Discovering Colin Tapley's Early Life

Colin Tapley was born on May 7, 1909, in Dunedin, New Zealand. His father, Harold Livingstone Tapley, was an important person. He later became the mayor of Dunedin and a Member of Parliament (MP) for Dunedin North. Colin went to Christ's College, Christchurch from 1918 to 1926.

After school, he joined the first expedition to Antarctica led by Richard Evelyn Byrd. Imagine exploring the icy continent! After this adventure, he moved to the United Kingdom. There, he joined the Royal Air Force.

Hollywood Calling: Colin Tapley's Film Journey

In 1933, Colin entered a talent contest. It was organized by Paramount Pictures, a big movie studio. He was one of only two winners from New Zealand! The contest was for English-speaking countries. Winners got small parts in a film called Search for Beauty (1934).

Colin was then offered a contract with Paramount. He started with small, uncredited roles. In 1935, he played Captain Dobbin in Becky Sharp. This film was based on the famous book Vanity Fair. He had his only main role in the movie Booloo (1938).

Colin had the looks and talent to be a big star. But he preferred playing interesting character roles. He acted in American and British films for over 30 years. He wasn't really looking for movie stardom. He once wrote home excitedly about a small part in The Scarlet Empress (1934). He loved wearing a long black beard and a wonderful uniform! Even though he wasn't credited, you can see him in the film. He directs the firing of guns and yells, "It's a boy!"

He worked in some of the biggest movies of the 1930s. He acted alongside famous stars like Cary Grant, Loretta Young, Ronald Colman, and Gary Cooper. He later said those years were "the most wonderful experience of my life." He "adored every bit of it."

During this time, he shared a flat with Donald Gray. They stayed close friends for many years. His best friend in Hollywood was Fred MacMurray. Fred and his wife even visited Colin in New Zealand and England. Colin was also a keen horseman and loved playing polo. He played at the Riveria Polo Club. He also had a ranch where friends like Ginger Rogers would visit. He remembered "popping over to her place for tennis." He left Hollywood when the war started.

Serving His Country: Colin Tapley in World War II

In January 1942, Colin Tapley returned to Britain. He wanted to help with the war effort. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Because he had experience in the Royal Air Force, he became a flight instructor. Later, he was transferred to Britain as a flight controller.

During his service, something scary happened. He had to parachute out of a crashing aircraft! Because of this brave act, he was given membership in the Caterpillar Club. This club is for people whose lives were saved by parachuting from a disabled aircraft.

Back to the Big Screen: Colin Tapley's Later Career

After the war ended in 1945, Colin married Patricia (Patsy) Hambro Lyon. He had met her during the war. They moved back to his home country, New Zealand, for a short time. He soon decided that life in New Zealand wasn't for him. So, he returned to Hollywood to restart his acting career.

The famous American film director Cecil B. DeMille personally offered him a role. It was in his new film, Samson and Delilah. Colin played the part of a prince. After finishing this movie, Colin and Patsy felt that Hollywood had changed. They decided to return to Britain.

In Britain, Colin had no trouble finding acting jobs. This was partly because of his clear, upper-class accent. The 1950s and 1960s were also a busy time for British war films. He got a very important role in the respected war movie The Dam Busters (1955). He played William Glanville, who helped create the famous "bouncing bomb."

From 1954 to 1958, he played a police inspector named Parker. He worked with his good friend Donald Gray in the detective TV series The Vise. After this, he often played police officers in his films. His acting career ended in 1983 when he was 74. He retired to Coates, Gloucestershire, with his wife, Patsy.

Colin Tapley's Personal Life and Legacy

While in England during the war, Colin met Patricia "Patsy" Lyon. She was the daughter of a well-known banking family. They decided to get married quietly in August 1943 in London. London was still recovering from the "the Blitz" bombings. Their families were there to celebrate with them.

Colin and Patsy lived in New Zealand and Hollywood before settling down in Coates, Gloucestershire. Colin also worked for a time as a meter reader at a nuclear power station. On night shifts, he would tell his co-workers amazing stories about Hollywood actors.

Colin lived in Coates until he passed away in December 1995, at 86 years old. He was buried in Wānaka, New Zealand. He was laid to rest next to his first son, Martin, who had passed away at a young age in 1947. Patsy stayed in their home in Coates until her death in 2000. They had another son, Nigel Tapley, and two granddaughters.

Partial Filmography