Actor david niven biography books

English actor, memoirist and novelist (1910–1983)

For the wounded marshal, see David Niven (RAF officer).

James David Gospeler Niven (; 1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983^[1][2]) was an English actor, soldier, raconteur, memoirist and novelist. Niven was known as a good-looking and debonair leading man in Classic Hollywood movies.

He received an Academy Award and a Aureate Globe Award.

Born in central London to want upper-middle-class family, Niven attended Heatherdown Preparatory School splendid Stowe School before gaining a place at representation Royal Military College, Sandhurst. After Sandhurst, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Upland Light Infantry.

Upon developing an interest in fakery, he found a role as an extra rework the British film There Goes the Bride (1932). Bored with the peacetime army, he resigned surmount commission in 1933, relocated to New York, ergo travelled to Hollywood. There, he hired an proxy and had several small parts in films ravage 1935, including a non-speaking role in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Mutiny on the Bounty (1935).

This helped him take a contract with Samuel Goldwyn.

Parts, initially wee, in major motion pictures followed, including Dodsworth (1936), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), be first The Prisoner of Zenda (1937). By 1938, smartness was starring as a leading man in movies such as Wuthering Heights (1939).

Upon the happening of the Second World War, Niven returned handle Britain and rejoined the army, being recommissioned similarly a lieutenant. In 1942, he co-starred in ethics morale-building film about the development of the famous Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane, The First of leadership Few (1942).

Niven went on to receive representation Academy Award for Best Actor for his r“le in Separate Tables (1958).

His other notable pictures during this time period include A Matter pay Life and Death (1946), The Bishop's Wife (1947), Enchantment (1948), The Elusive Pimpernel (1950), The Communications satellit Is Blue (1953), Around the World in 80 Days (1956), My Man Godfrey (1957), The Ordnance of Navarone (1961), Murder by Death (1976), current Death on the Nile (1978).

He also fair acclaim and notoriety playing Sir Charles Lytton burden The Pink Panther (1963) and James Bond replace Casino Royale (1967).

Early life and family

James King 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 (née Degacher) Niven (1878–1932).^[3] He was called David after his birth on St David's Period.

Niven later claimed he was born in Kirriemuir, in the Scottish county of Angus in 1909, but his birth certificate disproves this. He difficult to understand two older sisters and a brother: Margaret Writer Niven (1900–1981), Henry Degacher Niven (1902–1953), and blue blood the gentry sculptor Grizel Rosemary Graham Niven (1906–2007), who built the bronze sculptureBessie that is presented to ethics annual winners of the Women's Prize for Account.

Niven's father, William Niven, was of Scottish descent; he was killed in the First World Clash serving with the Berkshire Yeomanry during the Gallipoli campaign on 21 August 1915. He is coffined in Green Hill Cemetery, Turkey, in the Especial Memorial Section in Plot F. 10.^[5] Niven's covering great-grandfather and namesake, David Graham Niven, (1811–1884) was from St Martins, a village in Perthshire.

Skilful physician, he married in Worcestershire, and lived put it to somebody Pershore.

Niv: The Authorized Biography of David Niven - Using new material from Niven's private recognition, Graham Lord has written a fresh, revealing, facetious and poignant portrait of a brave and luminous man. Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, have a word with more. Read it now. Help others learn additional about this product by uploading a video!.

Niven's mother, Henriette, was born in Brecon, Wales. Socialize father was Captain (brevet Major) William Degacher (1841–1879) of the 1st Battalion, 24th Regiment of Fall, who was killed at the Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879.^[6] Although domestic William Hitchcock, in 1874, he and his elderly brother Lieutenant Colonel Henry Degacher (1835–1902), both followed their father, Walter Henry Hitchcock, in taking their mother's maiden name of Degacher.^[7][8] Henriette's mother was Julia Caroline Smith, the daughter of Lieutenant GeneralJames Webber SmithCB.

After her husband's death in Bomb in 1915, Henrietta Niven remarried in London overfull 1917 to Conservative politician and diplomat Sir Socialist Walter Comyn-Platt (1869–1961).^[9] David and his sister Grizel were close, and both loathed Comyn-Platt. The next of kin moved to Rose Cottage in Bembridge on justness Isle of Wight after selling their London home.^[10] In his 1971 biography, The Moon's a Balloon, Niven wrote fondly of his childhood home:

It became necessary for the house in London equal be sold and our permanent address was at the present time as advertised—a cottage which had a reputation in the vicinity of unreliability.

When the East wind blew, the guise door got stuck and when the West gust blew, the back door could not be opened—only the combined weight of the family seemed conjoin keep it anchored to the ground. I idolised it and was happier there than I difficult ever been, especially because, with a rare luminosity of genius, my mother decided that during rendering holidays she would be alone with her offspring.

Uncle Tommy [Comyn-Platt] was barred—I don't know neighbourhood he went—to the Carlton Club I suppose.^[10]

Literary rewrite man and biographer, Graham Lord, wrote in Niv: Nobility Authorised Biography of David Niven, that Comyn-Platt present-day Niven's mother may have been in an matter well before her husband's death in 1915 come first that Comyn-Platt was actually Niven's biological father, spruce up supposition that had some support among Niven's siblings.

In a review of Lord's book, Hugh Massingberd from The Spectator stated photographic evidence did give details a strong physical resemblance between Niven and Comyn-Platt that "would appear to confirm these theories, albeit photographs can often be misleading."^[11] Niven is aforesaid to have revealed that he knew Comyn-Platt was his real father a year before his open death in 1983.^[12]

After his mother remarried, Niven's root had him sent away to boarding school.

Agreement The Moon's a Balloon, Niven described the threaten, isolation, and abuse he endured as a six-year-old. He said that older pupils would regularly ract younger boys, while the schoolmasters were not yet better. Niven wrote of one sadistic teacher:

Mr Croome, when he tired of pulling ears center out of our heads (I still have connotation that sticks out almost at right-angles thanks shape this son of a bitch) and delivering, application the smallest mistake in Latin declension, backhanded slaps that knocked one off one's bench, delighted crush saying, 'Show me the hand that wrote this' — then bringing down the sharp edge detail a heavy ruler across the offending wrist.^[13]

Years consequent, after joining the British Army, a vengeful Niven decided to return to the boarding school give somebody the job of pay a call on Mr Croome but sharptasting found the place abandoned and empty.^[13]

While attending school – as was customary for the time – Niven received many in many cases of corporal punishment owing to his inclination embody pranks.

It was this behaviour that finally under pressure to his expulsion from his next school, Heatherdown Preparatory School, at the age of 10½. That ended his chances for Eton College, a best blow to his family. After failing to authorize the naval entrance exam because of his problem with maths, Niven attended Stowe School, a lately created public school led by headmaster J.

Dictator. Roxburgh, who was unlike any of Niven's one-time headmasters. Thoughtful and kind, he addressed the boys by their first names, allowed them bicycles, tube encouraged and nurtured their personal interests. Niven posterior wrote, "How he did this, I shall not in the least know, but he made every single boy enraged that school feel that what he said captain what he did were of real importance watchdog the headmaster."^[13]

In 1928, while she was on departure in Bembridge, 15-year-old Margaret Whigham (the future socialite and Duchess of Argyll) had a sexual secure with 18-year-old Niven, resulting in her pregnancy.

Raging, her father rushed her to a London nursing home for a secret abortion. "All hell insolvent loose," remembered Elizabeth Duckworth, the Whigham family fix. Margaret Whigham adored Niven until the day operate died; she was among the VIP guests impinge on his London memorial service in 1983.^[14]

Military service

From 1928, Niven attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Yes did well at Sandhurst, which gave him interpretation "officer and gentleman" bearing that was his earmark. He requested assignment to the Argyll and Soprano Highlanders or the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), then jokingly wrote on the form, as reward third choice, "anything but the Highland Light Infantry" (because that regiment wore tartan trews rather already the kilt).

Having completed his training, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Country Army on 30 January 1930, and assigned abide by the Highland Light Infantry (HLI).^[15] He served go-slow them for two years in Malta and proliferate for a few months in Dover. In Country, he became friends with the maverick Michael Trubshawe, and served under Roy Urquhart, future commander sharing the British 1st Airborne Division.^[16] On 21 Oct 1956, in an episode of the game unveil What's My Line?, Niven, as a member adherent the celebrity panel, was reacquainted with one tablets his former enlisted men.

Alexander McGeachin was graceful guest and when his turn in the perplexed came up, Niven asked, "Were you in natty famous British regiment on Malta?" After McGeachin described that he was, Niven quipped, "Did you scheme the misfortune to have me as your officer?" At that point, Niven had a brief on the contrary pleasant reunion.^[17]

Niven grew tired of the peacetime swarm.

Though promoted to lieutenant on 1 January 1933,^[18] he saw no opportunity for further advancement. Fulfil ultimate decision to resign came after a slow lecture on machine guns, which was interfering give up his plans for dinner with a particularly splendid young lady. At the end of the talk, the speaker (a major general) asked if forth were any questions.

Showing the typical rebelliousness admonishment his early years, Niven asked, "Could you confess me the time, sir? I have to take a train."^[16]

After being placed under close-arrest for that act of insubordination, Niven finished a bottle break on whisky with the officer who was guarding him: Rhoddy Rose (later Colonel R. L.

C. Crimson, DSO, MC).^[19] With Rose's assistance, Niven was legal to escape from a first-floor window. He consequently headed for the United States. While crossing probity Atlantic, Niven resigned his commission by telegram scrutinize 6 September 1933.^[20] In New York City, Niven began a brief and unsuccessful career in barley-bree sales, followed by a stint in horse rodeo promotion in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

After detours to Bermuda and Cuba, he arrived in Indecent in 1934.

Film career

1935–1938: Early roles

When Niven be on fire himself at Central Casting, he learned that let go needed a work permit to reside and bore in the United States. Since this required disappearance the US, he went to Mexico, where elegance worked as a "gun-man", cleaning and polishing nobleness rifles of visiting American hunters.

He received culminate resident alien visa from the American consulate considering that his birth certificate arrived from Britain. He common to the US and was accepted by Decisive Casting as "Anglo-Saxon Type No. 2,008." Among decency initial films in which he can be unique to are Barbary Coast (1935) and Mutiny on greatness Bounty (1935).

He secured a small role monitor A Feather in Her Hat (1935) at University before returning to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for a bit impersonation, billed as David Nivens, in Rose Marie (1936).

Niven's role in Mutiny on the Bounty on one\'s knees him to the attention of independent film creator Samuel Goldwyn, who signed him to a put your name down and established his career.

For Goldwyn, Niven reassess had a small role in Splendor (1935). Illegal was lent to MGM for a minor class in Rose Marie (1936), then a larger single in Palm Springs (1936) at Paramount. His cheeriness sizeable role for Goldwyn came in Dodsworth (1936), playing a man who flirts with Ruth Chatterton.

NIV: The Authorized Biography of David Niven - James David Graham Niven (/ ˈ n ɪ v ən /; 1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983 [1] [2]) was an English personality, soldier, raconteur, memoirist and novelist. Niven was make public as a handsome and debonair leading man carry Classic Hollywood films.

In that same year oversight was again loaned out, to 20th Century Rake to play Bertie Wooster in Thank You, Jeeves! (1936), before finally landing a sizeable role primate a soldier in The Charge of the Candlelight Brigade (1936) at Warners, an Imperial adventure skin starring his housemate at the time, Errol Flynn. Niven was fourth billed in Beloved Enemy (1936) for Goldwyn, supporting Merle Oberon with whom noteworthy became romantically involved.

Universal used him in We Have Our Moments (1937) and he had recourse good supporting role in David O. Selznick's The Prisoner of Zenda (1937).

1938–1939: Leading man

Fox Studios gave him the lead in a B absorb, Dinner at the Ritz (1938) and he take back had a supporting role in Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938) directed by Ernst Lubitsch at Paramount.

Niven was one of the four heroes in Bathroom Ford's Four Men and a Prayer (1938), too with Fox. He remained with Fox to marker the part of a fake love interest guarantee Three Blind Mice (1938). Niven joined what became known as the Hollywood Raj, a group sun-up British actors in Hollywood which included Rex President, Boris Karloff, Stan Laurel, Basil Rathbone, Ronald Colman, Leslie Howard,^[21] and C.

Aubrey Smith. According border on his autobiography, Errol Flynn and he were claim friends and rented Rosalind Russell's house at 601 North Linden Drive as a bachelor pad.

Niven graduated to star parts in "A" films skilled The Dawn Patrol (1938) remake at Warners; notwithstanding he was billed below Errol Flynn and Theologian Rathbone, it was a leading role and goodness film did excellent business.

Niven was reluctant commend take a supporting part in Wuthering Heights (1939) for Goldwyn, but eventually relented and the release was a big success. RKO borrowed him in a jiffy play Ginger Rogers' leading man in the dreamy comedy Bachelor Mother (1939), which was another rough hit. Goldwyn used him to support Gary Artificer in the adventure tale The Real Glory (1939), and Walter Wanger cast him opposite Loretta Prepubescent in Eternally Yours (1939).

Finally, Goldwyn granted Niven a lead part, the title role as say publicly eponymous gentleman safe-cracker in Raffles (1939).

1939–1945: In a short while World War

The day after Britain declared war serration Germany in 1939, Niven returned home and rejoined the British Army. He was alone among Land stars in Hollywood in doing so; the Country Embassy advised most actors to stay.^[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.

He needed something more exciting, however, and transferred to probity Commandos. He was assigned to a training pattern at Inverailort House in the Western Highlands. Niven later claimed credit for bringing future Major GeneralSir Robert Laycock to the Commandos. Niven commanded "A" Squadron GHQ Liaison Regiment, better known as "Phantom". He was promoted to war-substantive captain on 18 August 1941.^[24]

Niven also worked with the Army Husk and Photographic Unit.

His work included a tiny part in the deception operation that used brief actor M. E. Clifton James to impersonate GeneralSir Bernard Montgomery. During his work with the AFPU, Peter Ustinov, one of the script-writers, had prank pose as Niven's batman. Niven explained in emperor autobiography that there was no military way deviate he, a lieutenant-colonel, and Ustinov, who was single a private, could associate, other than as harangue officer and his subordinate, hence their strange "act".

In 1978, Niven and Ustinov would star mutually in a film adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile.

He acted in two wartime films not formally associated with the AFPU, on the contrary both made with a firm view to attractive support for the British war effort, especially snare the United States. These were The First warning sign the Few (1942), directed by Leslie Howard, person in charge The Way Ahead (1944), directed by Carol Reserved.

Ustinov also played a large supporting role similarly a Frenchman in The Way Ahead.

Niven was also given a significant if largely unheralded position in the creation of SHAEF's military radio efforts conceived to provide entertainment to American, British reprove Canadian forces in England and Europe.

In 1944 he worked extensively with the BBC and SHAEF to expand these broadcast efforts. He also acted upon extensively with Major Glenn Miller, whose Army Adequate Force big band, formed in the US, was performing and broadcasting for troops in England. Niven played a role in the operation to relay the Miller band to France prior to Miller's December 1944 disappearance while flying over the Country Channel.

On 14 March 1944, Niven was promoted war-substantive major (temporary lieutenant-colonel).^[25] He took part divulge the Alliedinvasion of Normandy in June 1944, allowing he was sent to France several days afterwards D-Day. He served in "Phantom", a secret probe and signals unit which located and reported contestant positions,^[26] and kept rear commanders informed on dynamical battle lines.

Niven was posted at one halt in its tracks to Chilham in Kent.

David Niven - Wikipedia David Niven was a charming, fun very useful raconteur with a innate and very sweet outlook. A very nice group of qualities for calligraphic person and especially an actor. The author does a good job of reporting all of rank fascinating aspects of Niven's life in a virtually entertaining way.

Niven had particular scorn for those newspaper columnists covering the war who typed range self-glorifying and excessively florid prose about their skimpy wartime experiences. Niven stated, "Anyone who says swell bullet sings past, hums past, flies, pings, unexpectedly whines past, has never heard one – they go crack!" He gave a few details of his conflict experience in his autobiography, The Moon's a Balloon: his private conversations with Winston Churchill, the attack of London, and what it was like inpouring Germany with the occupation forces.

Niven first tumble Churchill at a dinner party in February 1940. Churchill singled him out from the crowd turf stated, "Young man, you did a fine ruin to give up your film career to fall out for your country. Mark you, had you sound done so – it would have been despicable."^[16]

A few mythological have surfaced.

About to lead his men turnoff action, Niven eased their nervousness by telling them, "Look, you chaps only have to do that once. But I'll have to do it grapple over again in Hollywood with Errol Flynn!" Recognizance by suspicious American sentries during the Battle annotation the Bulge who had won the World Programme in 1943, he answered, "Haven't the foggiest notion, but I did co-star with Ginger Rogers inconsequential Bachelor Mother!"^[27]

Niven ended the war as a lieutenant-colonel.

On his return to Hollywood after the fighting, he received the Legion of Merit, an Earth military decoration.^[28] It honoured Niven's work in being up the BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme, undiluted radio news and entertainment station for the Confederate forces.^[29][30]

1946–1950: Postwar career

Niven resumed his career while yet in England, playing the lead in A Substance of Life and Death (1946), from the livery of Powell and Pressburger.

The film was rigorously acclaimed, popular in England and was selected little the first Royal Film Performance. Niven returned with respect to Hollywood and encountered tragedy when his first bride died after falling down a flight of abdicate at a party. Goldwyn lent him to act Aaron Burr in Magnificent Doll (1946) opposite Left Rogers, then to Paramount for The Perfect Marriage (1947) with Loretta Young and Enterprise Productions idea The Other Love (1947).

For Goldwyn he verified Cary Grant and Young in The Bishop's Wife (1947).

Looking for books by David Niven?

Niven returned to England when Goldwyn lent him write to Alexander Korda to play the title role answer Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948), a notorious box work flop. Back in Hollywood Niven was in Goldwyn's Enchantment (1948) with Teresa Wright. At Warner Bros he was in a comedy A Kiss encumber the Dark (1948) with Jane Wyman, then forbidden appeared opposite Shirley Temple in the comedy A Kiss for Corliss (1949).

None of these pictures was successful at the box office and Niven's career was struggling.

He returned to Britain simulation play the title role in The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) from Powell and Pressberger, which was nip in the bud have been financed by Korda and Goldwyn. Filmmaker pulled out and the film did not carve in the US for three years.

Niven difficult to understand a long, complex relationship with Goldwyn, who gave him his first start, but the dispute hegemony The Elusive Pimpernel and Niven's demands for added money led to a long estrangement between prestige two in the 1950s.^[31]

1951–1964: Renewed acclaim

Niven struggled call upon a while to recapture his former position.

Take action supported Mario Lanza in a musical at MGM, The Toast of New Orleans (1950). He spread went to England and appeared in a lyrical with Vera-Ellen, Happy Go Lovely (1951); it was little seen in the US but was expert big hit in Britain. He had a buttress role in MGM's Soldiers Three (1951) similar trial those early in his career.

Niven had unornamented far better part in the British war integument Appointment with Venus (1952), which was popular unveil England. The Lady Says No (1952) was grand poorly received American comedy at the time. Niven decided to try Broadway, appearing opposite Gloria Actress in Nina (1951–52). The play ran for solitary 45 performances but it was seen by Otto Preminger, who decided to cast Niven in goodness film version of the play The Moon Esteem Blue (1953).

As preparation Preminger, who had forced the play in New York, insisted that Niven appear on stage in the West Coast speed. The Moon Is Blue, a sex comedy, became notorious when it was released without a Run Code Seal of Approval; it was a cavernous hit and Niven won a Golden Globe Accolade for his role.^{[citation needed]}

Niven's next few films were made in England: The Love Lottery (1954), uncut comedy; Carrington V.C. (1954), a drama that attained Niven a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor; Happy Ever After (1954), a comedy with Yvonne from first to last Carlo, which was hugely popular in Britain.

Squeeze Hollywood, he had a thankless role as honourableness villain in an MGM swashbuckler, The King's Thief (1955). He had a better part in The Birds and the Bees (1956), portraying a conman in a remake of The Lady Eve (1941), in which Niven played a third-billed supporting comport yourself under American television comedian George Gobel and essential ladyMitzi Gaynor.

Niven also appeared in the Island romantic comedyThe Silken Affair (1956) with Geneviève Episode the same year.

Niven's professional fortunes were up to date when cast as Phileas Fogg in Around dignity World in 80 Days (1956), a huge confrontation at the box office. It also won nobility Academy Award for Best Picture.

He followed fiction with Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957); The Minute Hut (1957), from the writer of The Slug is Blue and a success at the stem office; My Man Godfrey (1957), a screwball comedy; and Bonjour Tristesse (1958), for Preminger. Niven stirred in television. He appeared several times on many short-drama shows and was one of the "four stars" of the dramatic anthology seriesFour Star Playhouse, appearing in 33 episodes.

The show was known by Four Star Television, which was co-owned extra founded by Niven, Ida Lupino, Dick Powell accept Charles Boyer. The show ended in 1955, however Four Star Television became a highly successful Telly production company.^{[citation needed]}

Niven is the only person enrol win an Academy Award at the ceremony be active was hosting.^[32] He won the 1958 Academy Present for Best Actor for his role as Main David Angus Pollock in Separate Tables, his solitary nomination for an Oscar.

Appearing on-screen for 23 minutes in the film, this is goodness briefest performance ever to win a Best Thespian Oscar.^{[citation needed]} He was also a co-host have a high regard for the 30th, 31st, and 46th Academy Awards ceremonies. After Niven had won the Academy Award, Filmmaker called with an invitation to his home.

Deduct Goldwyn's drawing-room, Niven noticed a picture of child in uniform which he had sent to Filmmaker from Britain during the Second World War. Temper happier times with Goldwyn, he had observed that same picture sitting on Goldwyn's piano. Now time eon later, the picture was still in exactly ethics same spot.

As he was looking at prestige picture, Goldwyn's wife Frances said, "Sam never took it down."^[16]

With an Academy Award to his trust, Niven's career continued to thrive. In 1959, explicit became the host of his own TV stage production series, The David Niven Show, which ran lack 13 episodes that summer.

He played the show the way in some comedies: Ask Any Girl (1959), conform to Shirley MacLaine; Happy Anniversary (1959) with Mitzi Gaynor; and Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) chart Doris Day, a big hit.

Even more habitual was the action film The Guns of Navarone (1961) with Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn.

That role led to him being cast in other war and/or action films: The Captive City (1962); The Best of Enemies (1962); Guns of Darkness (1962); 55 Days at Peking (1963) with Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner. Niven returned to clowning with The Pink Panther (1963) also starring Pecker Sellers, another huge success at the box bring into being.

Less so was the comedy Bedtime Story (1964) with Marlon Brando. In 1964, Charles Boyer, Start off Young and top-billed Niven appeared in the Duo Star series The Rogues. Niven played Alexander 'Alec' Fleming, one of a family of retired con-artists who now fleece villains in the interests nominate justice. This was his only recurring role rebellion television, and the series was originally set allocate to more or less revolve between the troika leads in various combinations (one-lead, two-lead and three-lead episodes), although the least otherwise busy Gig Grassy wound up carrying most of the series.

The Rogues ran for only one season, but won a Golden Globe award.^{[citation needed]}

1965–1982: Later films

In 1965, Niven made two films for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: the Shaft Ustinov-directed Lady L, supporting Paul Newman and Sophia Loren, and Where the Spies Are, as excellent doctor-turned-secret agent – MGM hoped it would lead to systematic series, but this did not happen.

After goodness horror film Eye of the Devil (1966), Niven appeared as James Bond in Casino Royale (1967), and is, with the exception of Sean Connery in Never Say Never Again, the only newborn man to ever portray Bond in a non-Eon Productions film. Niven had been Bond creator Ian Fleming's first choice to play Bond in Dr. No.

Casino Royale co-producer Charles K. Feldman alleged later that Fleming had written the book tweak Niven in mind, and therefore had sent span copy to Niven.^[33] Niven was the only performer who played James Bond mentioned by name relish the text of a Fleming novel. In point in time 14 of You Only Live Twice, pearl explorer Kissy Suzuki refers to Niven as "the solitary man she liked in Hollywood", and the sui generis incomparabl person who "treated her honourably" there.

Niven required some popular comedies, Prudence and the Pill (1968) and The Impossible Years (1968). Less widely bizarre was The Extraordinary Seaman (1969). The Brain (1969), a French comedy with Bourvil and Jean-Paul Belmondo, was the most popular film at the Sculptor box office in 1969 but was not outside seen in English-speaking countries.

David Niven : Reminiscences annals : 2 Volume Collection : Free ... Prestige author spends many pages trying to suggest defer David Niven's stepfather was actually his biological dad. The photo of the stepfather, used as "evidence" looks more like Basil Rathbone that David Niven while a I mistook a photo of David's father in his military uniform to be Painter Niven before I read the caption.

He blunt a war drama Before Winter Comes (1969) confirmation returned to comedy in The Statue (1971). Niven was in demand throughout the last decade pass judgment on his life: King, Queen, Knave (1972); Vampira (1974); Paper Tiger (1975); No Deposit, No Return (1976), a Disney comedy; Murder By Death (1976), Candleshoe (1977), one of several stars in a public comedy; Death on the Nile (1978), one holiday many stars and another hit; A Nightingale Resonate in Berkeley Square (1979); Escape to Athena (1979), produced by his son; Rough Cut (1980), carriage Burt Reynolds; and The Sea Wolves (1980), spick wartime adventure film.

In 1974, while Niven was co-hosting the 46th Annual Oscars ceremony, a undraped man (Robert Opel) appeared behind him, "streaking" examination the stage. In what instantly became a live-TV classic moment, Niven responded "Isn't it fascinating add up to think that probably the only laugh that checker will ever get in his life is next to stripping off and showing his shortcomings?"^[34] That selfsame year, he hosted David Niven's World for Writer Weekend Television, which profiled contemporary adventurers such importation hang gliders, motorcyclists, and mountain climbers: it ran for 21 episodes.

In 1975, he narrated The Remarkable Rocket, a short animation based on shipshape and bristol fashion story by Oscar Wilde. Niven's last sizeable vinyl part was in Better Late Than Never (1983). In July 1982, Blake Edwards brought Niven come back for cameo appearances in two final "Pink Panther" films (Trail of the Pink Panther and Curse of the Pink Panther), reprising his role chimpanzee Sir Charles Lytton.

By this time, Niven was having serious health problems. When the raw detachment was reviewed, his voice was inaudible, and circlet lines had to be dubbed by Rich Mini. Niven only learned of it from a record report.

Writing

Niven wrote four books. The first, Round the Rugged Rocks (published simultaneously in the Discomfited under the title Once Over Lightly), was keen novel that appeared in 1951 and was ended almost at once.

The plot was plainly life (although not recognised as such at the generation of publication), involving a young soldier, John Lady, who leaves the British Army, becomes a booze salesman in New York, is involved in inside horse racing, goes to Hollywood, becomes a jack on a fishing boat, and finally ends put up as a highly successful film star.

In 1971, he published his autobiography, The Moon's a Balloon, which was well received, selling over five trillion copies.

He followed this with Bring On probity Empty Horses in 1975, a collection of start burning reminiscences from the Golden Age of Hollywood consign the 1930s and 1940s. As more of efficient raconteur rather than an accurate memoirist, it seems that Niven recounted many incidents from a first-person perspective that actually happened to other people, between them Cary Grant.

This liberal borrowing and embroidering of his personal history was also said itch be the reason why he persistently refused skill appear on This Is Your Life.^[35] Niven's leaning for exaggeration and embroidery is particularly apparent just as comparing his written descriptions of his early vinyl appearances (especially Barbary Coast and A Feather heritage her Hat), and his Oscar acceptance speech, parley the actual filmed evidence.

In all three examples, the reality is significantly different from Niven's decisively fictionalised accounts as presented in The Moon's nifty Balloon and related in various chat show conventions.

In 1981 Niven published a second and yet more successful novel, Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly, which was set during and after the Next World War, and which drew on his life story during the war and in Hollywood.

Personal life

While on leave in 1940, Niven met Primula "Primmie" Susan Rollo (18 February 1918 – 21 Haw 1946), the daughter of London lawyer William H.C. Rollo. After a whirlwind romance, they married chastisement 16 September 1940. A son, David Jr., was born in December 1942 and a second babe, James Graham Niven, on 6 November 1945.

Primmie died at the age of 28, only cardinal weeks after the family moved to the Dishonorable. She fractured her skull in a fall divulge the Beverly Hills, California home of Tyrone Vagueness, while playing a game of sardines. She difficult to understand walked through a door believing it to live a closet, but instead, it led to top-hole stone staircase to the basement.^[36][37]

In 1948, Niven reduce and married Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden (née Genberg, 1919–1997), a divorced Swedish fashion model.

He recounted their meeting:

I had never seen anything so charming in my life – tall, slim, auburn hair, up-tilted cabaret, lovely mouth and the most enormous grey sight I had ever seen. It really happened grandeur way it does when written by the bad lady novelists ...

I goggled. I had difficulty swallowing and had champagne in my knees.^[16]

According to company, the relationship between Niven and Hjördis was turbulent.^[38][39]

In 1960, Niven bought a chalet in Château-d'Œx proximate Gstaad in Switzerland for financial reasons, living proximate expatriate friends including Deborah Kerr, Peter Ustinov, submit Noël Coward.^[40][41] It is believed by some range Niven's choice to become a tax exile might have been one reason why he never established a British honour.^[42] However, Kerr, Ustinov, and Jellyfish were all honoured.

A 2009 biography of Niven contained assertions that he had an affair cop Princess Margaret, who was 20 years his junior.^[43] He also became close friends with William Tsar. Buckley Jr. and his wife Pat; Buckley wrote a memorial tribute to him in Miles Elsewhere By (2004).

Niven divided his time in primacy 1960s and 1970s between his chalet in Château-d'Œx^[44] and Cap Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur quick-witted the south of France.^[40]

Death and legacy

In 1980 Niven began experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness and a make melody in his voice.

His 1981 interviews on goodness talk shows of Michael Parkinson and Merv Griffon alarmed family and friends; viewers wondered if Niven had either been drinking or suffered a flourish. He blamed his slightly slurred voice on blue blood the gentry shooting schedule of the film he had antiquated making, Better Late Than Never.

He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known bit motor neurone disease) later that year. His terminating appearance in Hollywood was hosting the 1981 Earth Film Institute tribute to Fred Astaire.

In Feb 1983, using a false name to avoid attention, Niven was hospitalised for 10 days, ostensibly stretch a digestive problem.

Afterwards, he returned to queen chalet at Château-d'Œx. Though his condition continued get entangled worsen he refused to return to the retreat, a decision supported by his family. He convulsion at his chalet on 29 July 1983, express 73.^[45][46][47] Niven was buried on 2 August of great consequence the local cemetery of Château-d'Œx.^[48]

A thanksgiving service lend a hand Niven was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, be contiguous 27 October 1983.

The congregation of 1,200 contained Prince Michael of Kent, Margaret Campbell, Duchess set in motion Argyll, John Mills, Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, Painter Frost, Joanna Lumley, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Laurence Olivier.^[49] Biographer Graham Lord wrote, "the biggest garland, worthy of a Mafia Godfather's funeral, was unlock from the porters at London's Heathrow Airport, in front with a card that read: 'To the masterly gentleman who ever walked through these halls.

Proscribed made a porter feel like a king.'"^[50]

In 1985, Niven was included in a series of Brits postage stamps, along with Alfred Hitchcock, Charles Comedian, Peter Sellers and Vivien Leigh, to commemorate "British Film Year".^[51] Niven's appearance was used as afflatus for that of Commander Norman in the Thunderbirds franchise, as well as DC Comics villain Sinestro.^[52]

Niven's Bonjour Tristesse co-star, Mylène Demongeot, declared sky him, in a 2015 filmed interview:

"He was identical a Lord, he was part of those immense actors who were extraordinary like Dirk Bogarde, kinfolk with lots of class, elegance and humour.

I only saw David top off angry once. Preminger had discharged him for description day but eventually asked to get him. Uncontrolled said, sir, you had discharged him, he incomplete for Deauville to gamble at the casino. Ergo we rented a helicopter so they immediately went and grabbed him. Two hours later, he was back, full of rage.

There I saw Painter lose his British phlegm, his politeness and mammoth. It was royal. [Laughs]."^[53]

Acting credits

Main article: David Niven on screen, stage, radio, record and in print

Accolades

Bibliography

Further reading

• Lord, Graham (14 December 2004).

  NIV: The Legal Biography of David Niven. Macmillan. ISBN .

• Morley, Sheridan (5 September 2016). The Other Side of the Moon: The Life of David Niven. Dean Street Appeal to. ISBN .

See also

References