Donald Sinden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Donald Sinden CBE FRSA
At Pinewood Studios, around 1956
Born	Donald Alfred Sinden (1923-10-09)9 October 1923 Plymouth, Devon, England
Died	12 September 2014(2014-09-12) (aged 90) Wittersham, Kent, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1941–2012
Spouse(s)	Diana Mahony ​ ​ (m. 1948; died 2004)​
Children	Jeremy Marc
Awards	Knight Bachelor; CBE; FRSA; D.Litt; D.Arts see awards table

Sir Donald Alfred Sinden (9 October 1923 – 12 September 2014) was a famous British actor. He starred in many films, plays, and TV shows during his long career.

Donald Sinden became well-known in the 1950s for his roles in movies like The Cruel Sea (1953 film) and Doctor in the House. Later, he became a highly respected stage actor, especially for his work in Shakespearean plays. He also starred in popular TV sitcoms such as Two's Company and Never the Twain.

Early Life

Donald Sinden was born in Plymouth, England, on 9 October 1923. He was the middle child of Alfred and Mabel Sinden. His older sister, Joy, became a teacher, and his younger brother, Leon, also became an actor. They grew up in Ditchling, East Sussex.

Career Beginnings

Donald Sinden first acted on stage in 1941 at an amateur theatre in Brighton. He took over a part from his cousin, who had to join the war effort. In January 1942, he began his professional acting career. He performed for soldiers, sailors, and airmen across southern England during World War II. He later trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

Donald Sinden was not able to join the navy during the war because he had asthma. Instead, he joined a theatre company that entertained the armed forces.

Film Star in the 1950s

After the success of his first main film role in The Cruel Sea (1953), Donald Sinden signed a seven-year contract with the Rank Organisation. This was a big film company at Pinewood Studios. He appeared in 23 movies during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Some of his well-known films from this time include Mogambo, Doctor in the House, and Doctor at Large. He became known for playing "Benskin" in the Doctor film series. This character was a medical student who often failed his exams and chased nurses.

Theatre Work

Theatre was Donald Sinden's first love. He was known for being a great actor in farces, which are funny plays that use silly situations and misunderstandings. He won awards for his roles in farces like Not Now, Darling and Out of Order.

In 1949, he appeared in The Heiress in London. This play ran for 19 months, and he was the only actor who did not miss a single show. He performed more consecutive times in that theatre than any other actor since it was built in 1820.

Donald Sinden also played many leading roles in other plays. These included There's a Girl in My Soup and Present Laughter. He also performed a one-man show as Oscar Wilde.

Royal Shakespeare Company

Donald Sinden joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 1946. He became an Associate Artist of the RSC in 1967. He was famous for his performances in Shakespearean plays.

One of his most notable roles was as the Duke of York in The Wars of the Roses in 1963. He also played Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Sir Harcourt Courtly in London Assurance.

In 1976 and 1977, he won the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor for his role as King Lear. At the same time, he was also playing Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and filming his TV sitcom Two's Company. He often said that acting for the RSC was for the "honour" of performing great plays, not for the money.

In 1979, he played the main role in Othello. He was the last white actor to play this role for the RSC using traditional makeup.

Great West End Theatres Series

In 2013, Donald Sinden presented a documentary series called Great West End Theatres. This series explored the history of 40 London theatres. His son, Marc, directed and produced the series.

Critics praised the series, saying that Sir Donald's voice was a joy to listen to. They also noted that he was an enchanting and often very funny guide.

Television Roles

Donald Sinden appeared in many TV shows. In 1960, he starred as John Jasper in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

He later co-starred in the sitcom Two's Company, which started in 1975. He played Robert, an English butler, alongside Elaine Stritch's American character, Dorothy. The show was popular because of the funny cultural differences between their characters. Two's Company ran for four seasons and received several awards nominations.

Donald Sinden (left) filming Never the Twain with Susie Silvey and Windsor Davies in the 1980s.

From 1981, Donald Sinden starred in another popular sitcom called Never the Twain. He played Simon Peel, a snobby antiques dealer. His character hated his next-door neighbor, Oliver Smallbridge, who was played by Windsor Davies. The show was very successful and ran for 11 series until 1991. In one episode, his real-life sons, Jeremy and Marc, played police officers.

Donald Sinden was sometimes made fun of on Spitting Image, a British TV show that used puppets to make fun of famous people. They often joked about him being an "over-the-top" actor.

From 2001 to 2007, he played Sir Joseph Channing in the TV drama Judge John Deed. In 2008, he appeared in an episode of Midsomer Murders.

Hollywood Film

In 1974, Donald Sinden starred in the Walt Disney Productions family film The Island at the Top of the World. He played Sir Anthony Ross in this adventure movie.

Radio Work

Donald Sinden's clear voice was often heard on the radio. He played Sir Charles Baskerville in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. He also starred in several mysteries by John Dickson Carr.

Books Written

Donald Sinden wrote two books about his own life: A Touch of the Memoirs (1982) and Laughter in the Second Act (1985). He also edited a book of theatre stories and wrote a book about English churches.

Later Life and Awards

Donald Sinden received many honors during his life. He was awarded the CBE in 1979. In 1997, he was made a knight, which means he could use the title "Sir". He also received honorary degrees from the University of Leicester and the University of Kent.

He once said that he had only been unemployed for a total of five weeks between 1942 and 2008. In 2004, a theatre in Kent was named the Sinden Theatre in his honor.

On his 89th birthday in 2012, a special lunch was held to celebrate his retirement as president of the Royal Theatrical Fund. Many famous people attended and gave speeches.

After his death, Donald Sinden received the Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts. His son, Marc Sinden, accepted the award for him.

Personal Life

Donald Sinden was married to actress Diana Mahony from 1948 until she passed away in 2004. They had two sons, Jeremy and Marc, who both became actors. Donald Sinden had four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

He was color blind and had asthma. He also could not float or swim in water. This was discovered while filming The Cruel Sea, when his co-star Jack Hawkins had to save him from drowning.

Death and Memorials

Donald Sinden passed away at his home in Wittersham, Kent, on 12 September 2014, at the age of 90. His funeral was attended by many famous actors, including Dame Judi Dench and Sir Patrick Stewart.

As a mark of respect, the lights on the marquees of London's West End theatres were dimmed in his honor on the day he died. Blue plaques, which are special signs, were placed on his former homes in Hampstead Garden Suburb and Wittersham to remember him.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards

Images for kids

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  Production poster for An Evening with... Sir Donald Sinden

See also

In Spanish: Donald Sinden para niños