Family & Companions. Thu 18 Oct 2007 19.06 EDT. He returned to Britain to play the title role in The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) from Powell and Pressberger, which was to have been financed by Korda and Goldwyn. Henrietta was of French and British . He was sent to reform school, where the brutality reached even greater proportions, Niven later recounted. Niven also worked in television. He continued to make one and [22], Niven was recommissioned as a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) on 25 February 1940,[23] and was assigned to a motor training battalion. In 1955 renowned British photographer Cornel Lucas photographed Niven while filming at the Rank Film Studio in Denham, Buckinghamshire. Kristina Niven was born in 1960 in Switzerland to David Niven and Hjrdis Genberg, and has a sister Fiona Niven. He attended Dartmouth College and was graduated. Later he went to Stowe and on to Sandhurst to train He was twice given leave so he could She was born in Wales, the daughter of army officer William Degacher (18411879) by his marriage to Julia Caroline Smith, the daughter of Lieutenant General James Webber Smith. When Niven presented himself at Central Casting, he learned that he needed a work permit to reside and work in the United States. (1955) before scoring a big success as Phileas Fogg in Michael Todd's production of Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Lieutenant Colonel James David Graham Niven (/nvn/; 1 March 1910 29 July 1983)[1][2] was a British actor, soldier, memoirist, and novelist. son . This ended his chances for Eton College, a significant blow to his family. After failing to pass the naval entrance exam because of his difficulty with maths, Niven attended Stowe School, a newly created public school led by headmaster J. F. Roxburgh, who was unlike any of Niven's previous headmasters. Niven worked in television. Born William Hitchcock, he and his brother Henry had followed the lead of their father, Walter Henry Hitchcock, in assuming their mother's maiden name of Degacher in 1874. of indifferent films, interspersed with more worthy vehicles: among As preparation Preminger, who had directed the play in New York, insisted that Niven appear on stage in the West Coast run. Read Todd S. Purdum's 1999 article on Hollywood family life on fabled Roxbury Drive, . I had difficulty swallowing and had champagne in my knees. he was probably at his best in light comedy; but what mattered was [10], Literary editor and biographer, Graham Lord, wrote in Niv: The Authorised Biography of David Niven, that Comyn-Platt and Niven's mother may have been in an affair well before her husband's death in 1915 and that Comyn-Platt was actually Niven's biological father, a supposition that had some support among Niven's siblings. Showing the typical rebelliousness of his early years, Niven asked, "Could you tell me the time, sir? Updated: August 6, 2022 . With the Duke of Argyll at the family seat, Inveraray Castle, in 1960. Graham Lord, in NIV: The Authorized Biography of David Niven, suggested that Comyn-Platt and Mrs. Niven had been having an affair for some time before her husband's death, and that Sir Thomas may well have been David Niven's biological father, a supposition which has some support from her children. Born in London, Niven attended Heatherdown Preparatory School and Stowe before gaining a place at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Ex-partner of Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll Niven had a far better part in the British war film Appointment with Venus (1952), which was popular in England. In February 1983, using a false name to avoid publicity, Niven was hospitalised for 10 days, ostensibly for a digestive problem; afterwards he returned to his chalet at Chteau-d'x. I goggled. New. He received his Resident Alien Visa from the American Consulate when his birth certificate arrived from England. Niven also appeared in the British romantic comedy The Silken Affair (1956) with Genevive Page the same year. . David's mother Henrietta then married Sir Thomas Comyn-Platt in London in 1917. Now years later, the picture was still in exactly the same spot. Even in the '90s, the Austin Powers franchise continued the trend to hilarious results. In 1978, Niven and Ustinov would star together in a film adaption of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. After detours to Bermuda and Cuba, he arrived in Hollywood in the summer of 1934. The actor passed away in July . Less widely seen was The Extraordinary Seaman (1969). July 29 1983 - At his home in Chateau d'Oex, Vaud, Switzerland, William Edward Graham Niven, Henrietta Julia Niven (born Degacher), David Niven, Niven (Adopted), Niven, Niven (Adopted), Cause of death: Motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - July 29 1983 - Chteau-d'x, William Edward Graham Niven, Henriette Julia Degacher, Henry Degacher Niven, Margaret Joyce Niven, Grizel Rosemary Graham Niven, Primula Susan Rollo, Hjrdis Paulina Tersmeden, David Niven, Jamie Niven, Fiona Niven, Kristina Niven, July 29 1983 - Chteau-d'Oex, Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District, Vaud, Switzerland, William Edward Graham Niven, Henrietta Julia Niven (geb. (1957); The Little Hut (1957), from the writer of The Moon is Blue and a success at the box office; My Man Godfrey (1957), a screwball comedy; and Bonjour Tristesse (1958), for Preminger. Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results David Niven (1852 - 1902) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days How do we create a person's profile? $75.58 + $33.58 shipping. Niven's next few films were made in England: The Love Lottery (1954), a comedy; Carrington V.C. This helped him gain a contract with Samuel Goldwyn. Niven also had special scorn for the newspaper columnists covering the war who typed out self-glorifying and excessively florid prose about their meagre wartime experiences. Niven's professional fortunes were completely restored when cast as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days (1956), a huge hit at the box office. I was asked by some American friends to search out the grave of their son near Bastogne. The Brain (1969), a French comedy with Bourvil and Jean-Paul Belmondo, was the most popular film at the French box office in 1969 but was not widely seen in English-speaking countries. Niven returned to Hollywood and encountered tragedy when his first wife died after falling down a flight of stairs at a party. He [28] It honoured Niven's work in setting up the BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme, a radio news and entertainment station for the Allied forces.[29][30]. These were The First of the Few (1942), directed by Leslie Howard, and The Way Ahead (1944), directed by Carol Reed. After a whirlwind two-week romance in 1940, Niven married Primula Susan Rollo (18 February 1918, London 21 May 1946, Beverly Hills, California), the aristocratic daughter of a British lawyer. It ran for 21 episodes. According to his autobiography, Errol Flynn and he were firm friends and rented Rosalind Russell's house at 601 North Linden Drive as a bachelor pad. Hjrdis Genberg, model student, 1941-42. David Niven was born on the 1st of March, 1910. Niven was not told of this; he learned it from a newspaper report. David Niven was born in England. In February 1983, using a false name to avoid publicity, Niven was hospitalised for ten days, ostensibly for a digestive problem. On one occasion Prince Rainier asked Niven who among . experience, but through a combination of luck, knowing the right Bridgerton Family Book Series Complete Books 1 - 9 Collection Set By Julia Quinn. Niven's father, William Niven, was of Scottish descent; he was killed in the First World War serving with the Berkshire Yeomanry during the Gallipoli campaign on 21 August 1915. Niven's role in Mutiny on the Bounty brought him to the attention of independent film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed him to a contract and established his career. Other than, this there is no information on her siblings or early childhood. colony that included Cary Grant, Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, He was lent to MGM for a minor part in Rose Marie (1936), then a larger one in Palm Springs (1936) at Paramount. This was his only recurring role on television. In 1980 Niven began experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness and a warble in his voice. a period of undistinguished parts in mediocre films. David Niven (James David Graham Niven) was born on 1 March, 1910 in Belgravia, London, United Kingdom, is an Actor. During the 1950s Niven re-established himself as a popular leading man She was brought up by her parents David Niven and Primula Rollo. The couple parted. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Major Pollock in Separate Tables (1958). Records filed with the County of Los Angeles show the "L" shaped "villa" measures in at 4,808 square feet and listing information indicates there are 6 bedrooms and 7 . Born to a longtime military family, Niven attended Sandhurst Military Academy. . The Moon Is Blue, a sex comedy, became notorious when it was released without a Production Code Seal of Approval; it was a big hit and Niven won a Golden Globe Award for his role. For full citations and references see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Niven. The congregation of 1,200 included Prince Michael of Kent, Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, Sir John Mills, Sir Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, Sir David Frost, Joanna Lumley, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Lord Olivier. He was working on a third novel at the time of his death. He was alone among British stars in Hollywood in doing so; the British Embassy advised most actors to stay. On his return to Hollywood after the war, he received the Legion of Merit, an American military decoration. Find-a-Grave Memorial #3552-----James David Graham Niven (1 March 1910 - 29 July 1983), known professionally as David Niven, was an English actor and novelist, popular both in Europe and the US.. [16] On 21 October 1956, in an episode of the game show What's My Line?, Niven, as a member of the celebrity panel, was reacquainted with one of his former enlisted men. rater than stick out for good parts. At the age of 15, she became pregnant with the actor David Niven's child while on a holiday on the Isle of Wight, but the pregnancy was terminated. Niven remained close-mouthed about the war, despite public interest in celebrities in combat and a reputation for storytelling. harmonious it lasted for 14 years. In 1959 he became the host of his own TV drama series, The David Niven Show, which ran for 13 episodes that summer. Born: James David Graham Niven in Kirriemuir, Scotland (some sources say London, England), 1 March 1910. An amusing, tongue-in-cheek, British satire on the spy genre with David Niven at his debonair best. It was royal. The source for the dates and places of birth of the above was William Edward Graham Niven's army service record which, curiously, does not give a place of birth for David, but his birth certificate states Belgrave Mansions, London. Showing the typical rebelliousness of his early years, Niven asked, "Could you tell me the time, sir? Niven was reluctant to take a supporting part in Wuthering Heights (1939) for Goldwyn, but eventually relented and the film was a big success. He remained with Fox to play the part of a fake love interest in Three Blind Mice (1938). John Le Mesurier . His health quickly declined and he died in 1983 at age 73, leaving four children and his second wife. James David Graham Niven was born on 1 March 1910 at Belgrave Mansions, Grosvenor Gardens, London, to William Edward Graham Niven (1878-1915) and his wife, Henrietta Julia (ne Degacher) Niven (1878-1932). Connect to the World Family Tree to find out. Niven's grandfather William Degacher was killed in the Battle of Isandlwana (1879), during the Zulu War. He was named David for his birth on St. David's Day (1 March). Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. dress and behaviour but with mischief lurking not far from the De Gacher), July 29 1983 - Chteau-d'Oex, Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District, Vaud, Zwitserland, Merle Estelle Wolders (born Thompson (Oberon)), July 29 1983 - Chteau-D'oex, Vaud, Rgion Lmanique, Suisse, Mar 1 1910 - St George Hanover Square, London England, July 29 1983 - Chateau d'Oex, Vaud, Switzerland, William Edward Graham Niven, Henriette Julia Comyn-platt (born Degacher), Margaret Joyce Niven, Henry Degacher Niven, Grizel Rosemary Graham Niven, Ethel Margaret Campbell, Duchess Of Argyll Sweeny (nacida Whigham), Chteau-d'Oex, Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District, Vaud, Switzerland, Cimetire de Chteau-d'x, Chateau d'Oex, District de la Riviera-Pays-dEnhaut, , Vaud, Switzerland, People who died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Wojcik Cicirko Szczyrba Kopec Pal Bazylak Website, Robinson-Perks-Dalton-Higgison Family Website, Chateau d'Oex, District de la Riviera-Pays-dEnhaut, , Vaud, Switzerland, Margaret Joyce ("Joyce"; born in Geneva, Switzerland, 5 January 1900 18 November 1981), Henry Degacher ("Max"; born in Buckland, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire), 29 June 1902 March 1953). James Niven. A Matter of Life and Death (1946), The Bishop's Wife (1947), and Enchantment (1948) are all highly regarded. This professional Niven was in demand throughout the last decade of his life: King, Queen, Knave (1972); Vampira (1974); Paper Tiger (1975); No Deposit, No Return (1976), a Disney comedy; Candleshoe (1977), one of several stars in a popular comedy; Murder By Death (1976), Death on the Nile (1978), one of many stars and another hit; A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (1979); Escape to Athena (1979), produced by his son; Rough Cut (1980), supporting Burt Reynolds; and The Sea Wolves (1980), a wartime adventure movie. Husband of Primula Susan Niven and Hjrdis Paulina Niven Niven and Primula Rollo novel at the Rank Film Studio in Denham,.... To Hollywood after the war, he received the Legion of Merit, an Military! As Major Pollock in Separate Tables ( 1958 ) 1999 article on Hollywood family life on fabled Roxbury,. 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