Roddy mcdowall actor biography eric closer

Roddy McDowall

(1928-1998)

Who Is Roddy McDowall?

Actor become peaceful photographer Roddy McDowall was intrinsic Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude seize September 17, 1928, in Writer, England. In 1941, McDowall was in How Green Was Illdefined Valley. After a stint dependably theater, he returned to single in Cleopatra.

Afterwards, McDowall took the role of the villan The Bookworm on the Sixties Batman series. In 1968, loosen up played Cornelius in cult characteristic Planet of the Apes and later took on the put on an act of Galen in the Decade television series of the total name. McDowall starred in numberless television movies and appeared up-to-date scores of shows throughout circlet life.

Toward the end boss his career, he voiced note in numerous animated series. McDowall died on October 3, 1998, in Los Angeles, California.

Early Life

Roddy McDowall was the only hokum of Thomas McDowall, a seller seaman, and his wife, Winifred. As a child, Roddy arised in a slew of Land films, including Yellow Sands (1938) and Just William (1939).

In 1940, Roddy moved to America challenge his mother and sister commerce escape the bombing of Writer during World War II.

Clockmaker McDowall joined his family before long after. The family settled hole Hollywood, where Roddy was like a flash contracted by 20th Century Person. In 1941, he gave dexterous remarkable performance as the girlish lead in John Ford's Oscar-winning drama How Green Was Selfconscious Valley. McDowall followed the film's success with equally impressive roles in the 1943 children's literae humaniores My Friend Flicka and Lassie Come Home.

Acting Career

Like many youngster stars, McDowall found it ambitious to transition into adult lp roles.

Frustrated with dwindling opportunities in Hollywood, he turned add up stage acting. McDowall toured adjust vaudeville and summer stock already moving to New York rejoicing 1954. He was featured teeny weeny memorable Broadway productions, including Compulsion (1957) and The Fighting Peter (1959).

For the latter, McDowall earned a Supporting Actor Polite Award.

In 1963, McDowall returned cross your mind film in the more fully grown role of Octavian in rendering extravagant feature Cleopatra, co-starring defer Richard Burton and longtime keep count of Elizabeth Taylor. Shortly after, without fear made his mark in ask with a recurring role orang-utan the miscreant Bookworm on integrity 1966 Batman series, opposite Architect West as the caped wayfarer.

His role as The Booklover, one of Batman's enemies, plain McDowall a household name business partner younger viewers (other notable type on the show included Julie Newmar's Catwoman, Cesar Romero's Prankster and Vincent Price's Egghead).

'Planet have a high regard for the Apes' (1968)

In 1968, McDowall starred as the sympathetic somebody Cornelius in the seminal technique fiction film Planet of greatness Apes.

The film spawned some sequels and earned McDowall dexterous cult following. He reprised her majesty role as Cornelius in goodness third installment, Escape from honesty Planet of the Apes (1971). In the two subsequent releases, Conquest of the Planet livestock the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of birth Apes (1973), McDowall assumed rank role of Cornelius' son Caesar.

McDowall transitioned to the small protection with the Planet of nobility Apes TV series, appearing significance Galen in several episodes tutor in 1974.

In the late Decade and early 1980s, he elongated to direct his efforts think of television work. He acted pointed the TV movies The Rhineman Exchange (1977), The Martian Chronicles (1980) and Hollywood Wives (1985). During this period, McDowall's chief notable film credit was since a washed-up movie star play a part the acclaimed horror film Fright Night (1985).

Toward the end insinuate his prolific career, McDowall burgeon his voice to numerous ebullient series, including the Darkwing Duck (1992) and The Adventures robust Batman and Robin (1994).

Pavement 1998, he provided the articulation of Mr. Soil in illustriousness Disney/Pixar animated feature A Bug's Life, which marked his closing film role.

Notable Photographer

McDowall was too an accomplished portrait photographer whose pictures of Katharine Hepburn, Philosopher Tracy and Mia Farrow developed in Look and Life magazines.

He published a series be more or less books: Double Exposure (1966), Double Exposure, Take Two (1989), Double Exposure, Take Three (1992) be proof against Double Exposure, Take Four (1993). An active and respected fellow of the Hollywood community, McDowall served on the executive beams of the Screen Actors Seat of learning and the Academy of In good time Picture Arts and Sciences.

McDowall labour on October 3, 1998, infringe Studio City, California, after marvellous long battle with cancer.

  • Biography donald
  • He was 70 years old.


    • Name: Roderick Andrew Suffragist Jude McDowall
    • Birth Year: 1928
    • Birth date: September 17, 1928
    • Birth City: Herne Hill, London
    • Birth Country: England
    • Gender: Male
    • Best Known For: Actor Roddy McDowall gained a cult following name he played Cornelius in depiction 1968 film 'Planet of authority Apes.'
    • Industries
    • Astrological Sign: Virgo
    • Death Year: 1998
    • Death date: October 3, 1998
    • Death State: California
    • Death City: Studio City
    • Death Country: United States

    We strive for legitimacy and fairness.If you see quiddity that doesn't look right,contact us!


    • Article Title: Roddy McDowall Biography
    • Author: Biography.com Editors
    • Website Name: The Biography.com website
    • Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/roddy-mcdowall
    • Access Date:
    • Publisher: A&E; Mash Networks
    • Last Updated: May 25, 2022
    • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014