Roddy McDowall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roddy McDowall
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McDowall at the 1988 Academy Awards
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| Born |
Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall
17 September 1928 Herne Hill, London, England
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| Died | 4 October 1998 (aged 70) Studio City, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 1938–1998 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1946–1954 1960–1962 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | Organized Reserve Corps 77th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (born September 17, 1928 – died October 4, 1998) was a British actor. He was also a talented photographer and film director. Roddy started acting as a child in England. Later, he moved to the United States and became a big star.
Some of his most famous early movies include How Green Was My Valley (1941), My Friend Flicka (1943), and Lassie Come Home (1943). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role as Octavian in the movie Cleopatra (1963).
Roddy McDowall is well-known for playing the ape characters Cornelius and Caesar in the original Planet of the Apes film series. He also played Galen in the TV show based on the movies. He lent his voice to the character of Mad Hatter in the DC Animated Universe.
Beyond acting, McDowall was very involved in the film industry. He served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Oscar awards. He also helped with the Selection Committee for the Kennedy Center Honors. He won several awards, including a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and a Saturn Award. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his amazing work in film and television.
Contents
Roddy McDowall's Life and Career
Early Life and Moving to America
Roddy McDowall was born in London, England, on September 17, 1928. His father, Thomas, was a merchant seaman, and his mother, Winifred, loved the theatre. Roddy and his older sister, Virginia, grew up in the Catholic faith. He went to a Catholic school in London.
Roddy started modeling as a baby. When he was nine, he won an acting prize in a school play. Soon after, he began appearing in British films. Some of his early movies were Murder in the Family (1938) and Just William (1940).
In 1940, Roddy's family moved to the United States because of World War II. He became an American citizen in 1949. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1946 to 1954 and again from 1960 to 1962.
Becoming a Young Star in the U.S.
Roddy's first American movie was the thriller Man Hunt (1941). His next film, How Green Was My Valley (1941), won the Academy Award for Best Picture. His role in that movie made him a well-known name. He became lifelong friends with actress Maureen O'Hara while filming it.
He quickly became a top young actor. He starred in My Friend Flicka (1942). Then, he played the main role in Lassie Come Home (1943). In this movie, he met another lifelong friend, Elizabeth Taylor. By 1944, people in the film industry voted Roddy McDowall as one of the top "Stars of Tomorrow."
Success on Stage and Screen
As Roddy grew older, he started working in theatre. He moved to New York City and appeared in many TV shows and plays. He had great success on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his role in The Fighting Cock (1960).
In 1960, he returned to Hollywood. He played Mordred in the musical Camelot on Broadway, alongside Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. He also appeared as Octavian in the big movie Cleopatra, which starred Elizabeth Taylor. He continued to appear in many TV shows, including Batman, where he played The Bookworm.
One of his most famous roles came in 1968 when he played Cornelius, an ape, in Planet of the Apes. He went on to appear in three more Apes movies and a TV show. He also starred in Disney films like That Darn Cat! (1965) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971).
In the 1970s and 1980s, Roddy continued to work a lot. He appeared in movies like The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Black Hole (1979), and the horror film Fright Night (1985). He also did many voice-over roles for animated shows and movies.
Beyond Acting: Photography and Film Preservation
Roddy McDowall was also a respected photographer. His photos appeared in famous magazines like Look, Vogue, and Life. He published five books of his photographs, which included interviews with his celebrity friends.
He was very dedicated to the film industry. He served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars. He also worked to preserve old films and supported charities for people in the film industry. He was a founding member of the National Film Preservation Board in 1989.
Final Years
Roddy McDowall never married or had children. He passed away peacefully at his home in Studio City, California, on October 4, 1998, at the age of 70. He had been battling lung cancer. His ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.
Filmography
Selected Films
- 1941: How Green Was My Valley as Huw Morgan
- 1943: My Friend Flicka as Ken McLaughlin
- 1943: Lassie Come Home as Joe Carraclough
- 1963: Cleopatra as Octavian
- 1965: That Darn Cat! as Gregory Benson
- 1968: Planet of the Apes as Cornelius
- 1971: Bedknobs and Broomsticks as Rowan Jelk
- 1972: The Poseidon Adventure as Acres
- 1979: The Black Hole as V.I.N.CENT. (Voice)
- 1985: Fright Night as Peter Vincent
- 1987: Overboard as Andrew
- 1998: A Bug's Life as Mr. Soil (Voice)
Selected Television Roles
- 1960: The Twilight Zone as Sam Conrad (Episode: "People Are Alike All Over")
- 1966: Batman as Bookworm (2 episodes)
- 1972: Columbo as Roger Stanford (Episode: "Short Fuse")
- 1974: Planet of the Apes as Galen (14 episodes)
- 1985: Alice in Wonderland as March Hare (Television film)
- 1992–1994: Batman: The Animated Series as Jervis Tetch / The Mad Hatter (Voice, 4 episodes)
Stage Performances
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Radio Appearances
| Year | Program | Episode/source |
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| 1943 | Lux Radio Theatre | My Friend Flicka |
| 1947 | Suspense | One Way Street |
Images for kids
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RoddyMcDowall Mordred Camelot.JPG
McDowall as Mordred in the Broadway musical Camelot (1960)
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McDowall and Roland Winters in Killer Shark (1950)
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McDowall in 1997
See also
In Spanish: Roddy McDowall para niños
