Douglas Campbell (actor) facts for kids

Douglas Campbell (born June 11, 1922 – died October 6, 2009) was a famous stage actor. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Later, he became a Canadian citizen and was known for his amazing acting skills.

Acting Career

Douglas Campbell loved theater from a young age. When he was 17, he worked backstage at the famous Old Vic Theatre in London. There, he saw a play called King John, which made him want to act. He started performing in 1941, appearing in plays like Medea.

Later, he moved to Canada in 1953. He was invited by Tyrone Guthrie, a theater director, to help start the Stratford Festival of Canada in Stratford, Ontario. This festival became a very important place for theater in Canada. Douglas Campbell performed in the festival's first play, Richard III. He also played King Oedipus in a play and movie version of Oedipus Rex.

For 50 years, he often returned to Stratford. He was praised for his roles, especially as Othello in 1959 and many times as Falstaff. Douglas Campbell also started his own theater group called the Canadian Players in 1954. He was also the artistic director at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis from 1966 to 1967.

His contributions to Canadian theater were recognized with important awards. He received the Order of Canada in 1997. In 2003, he was given a Governor General's Performing Arts Award. This is Canada's highest honor for people in the performing arts.

Personal Life

In 1947, Douglas Campbell married Ann Casson, who was also an actress. Her parents were famous actors, Sir Lewis Casson and Dame Sybil Thorndike. Douglas and Ann had four children: Dirk, Teresa, Tom, and Benedict Campbell. Benedict also became an actor.

Later, Douglas Campbell had two more children, Beatrice and Torquil Campbell, with Moira Wylie. Beatrice works backstage in theater, and Torquil is an actor and a singer in the band Stars. Ann Casson passed away in 1990. Douglas Campbell then married Moira Wylie in 1993.

Douglas Campbell believed in peace and was a vegetarian. He passed away in Montreal, Quebec, on October 6, 2009. He was 87 years old.

Film and Television Roles

Douglas Campbell also appeared in many films and television shows. His last film role was playing Santa Claus in Once Upon a Christmas in 2000. His final TV role was in Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story in 2000.

Films

Television

See also

In Spanish: Douglas Campbell (actor) para niños