James Mason: biography, personal life, filmography

In his article devoted to D. Mason, The Times magazine in 1984, after his death, spoke about the fact that he was an actor of universal talent. Clever, charming and incredibly creative man, who starred in his career in more than a hundred films. The printed edition says that not all of them were worthy of his talent: James Mason raised even the poorest material to a higher level and, certainly, could enrich the best in the world cinema. The actor has repeatedly been nominated for the most prestigious awards, including "Golden Globe" and "Oscar", "Saturn" and BAFTA.

Personal life

The future English actor, and subsequently the scriptwriter and producer, was born on May 15, 1909 in Huddersfield (Great Britain). The family lived in prosperity, my father was very successful in the trade in textiles.

Acting skills Mason never studied, his talent was opened and gradually improved independently. Education James Mason received at the Marlborough College, and then studied at the architect at the famous Cambridge University. It was there that he began his creative career with participation in theatrical productions.

During the Second World War, the actor refused to go to the front. The act caused condemnation in the family circle and provoked a quarrel, as a result of which relations were interrupted for many years.

Married James Mason was twice. For the first time on the American actress Pamela Ostrer (years of marriage 1941-1964). They had a daughter and a son (pictured). The second time he married in 1971 on the Australian actress Clarissa Caye, with whom he lived until the end of his life.

In 1959, D. Mason experienced the first extensive heart attack. The actor died as a result of the second, which happened on July 27, 1984, in the Swiss Lausanne.

Theatrical and cinematographic career

His debut on stage took place at the Royal Theater in 1931. His talent was noticed right away, The Daily Telegraph writes that for several years there was not an actor with such a characteristic appearance and voice of a scoundrel and a villain, and this is undoubtedly a gift. In the cinema, James Mason was in 1935, performing one of the main roles in the crime drama "Evening specials." However, the special popularity of the actor brought numerous melodrama studio Gainsborough Pictures, in which he played antiheroes. The film "The Man in Gray" made him a real star of the screen, the film "The Seventh Veil" was, however, the most successful and was appreciated by many critics. In the period from 1944 to 1947, James Mason - the actor with the highest grossing in the UK.

At the peak of his popularity, he went to Hollywood. Some time passed before the magnificent actor's talent and charismatic appearance were recognized at the world level. Among his most successful works are Lolita, Desert Fox, Julius Caesar, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth and others.

His last picture is "Doctor Fischer from Geneva", in which he inherited the lead role of a too rich and too eccentric businessman. A great life and professional experience D. Mason used during the period of mentoring. In the late 70's, Sam Nill, now a famous actor, nominee for the Golden Globe Award and officer of the Order of the British Empire, became his student.

James Mason, whose films are very numerous, had an amazing talent. After recommending himself as a genius villain, he, nevertheless, tried other roles - and always more than successfully. We offer you a selection of 5 of his most interesting works in the cinema, marked by nominations and awards.

"The star was born"

The remake of the 1937 film tells of the tragic love of the singer Esther Blodgett and the movie star Norman Maine. After an unusual acquaintance on one of the important Hollywood ceremonies, they begin a novel. The actor helps the singer with a unique voice to achieve success and fame, and his popularity meanwhile is inexorably fading. D. Mason was nominated for an Oscar and received the Golden Globe in the nomination "Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy." His partner in the film was the legendary Judy Garland, for whom this work was one of the last in the cinema.

"Hero Island"

The adventure thriller, in which actor D. Mason also acted as a producer, was released in 1962. This is the story of a family who bought an island off the coast of California. On it, the husband and wife gather in silence and tranquility to raise two of their sons and keep house. It just turned out that the land is already occupied by mysterious strangers, who can not be persuaded even by the provision of documents on property. In the film "Hero Island", Neville Brand, Rip Thorne, Keith Manx, Warren Watts, etc., also participated, Leslie Stevens directed and screenwriter.

Lolita

The legendary black and white film based on the novel of the same name by V. Nabokov was withdrawn by Stanley Kubrick in 1962. D. Mason performed the main role - the professor of French literature Humbert. In addition to him, the candidatures of Laurence Olivier and Peter Ustinov were also considered. Nabokov himself took part in the choice of the actress. The film is awarded with numerous nominations for prestigious cinematographic awards.

"Heaven can wait"

Comedy fantasy-melodrama appeared on the screens in 1978, the director - Warren Beatty. An interesting plot and a brilliant acting game provided the picture with success. According to the plot, the aging famous football player Joe dies as a result of an accident on the road, and his soul is run by a very "studious" angel. However, it turns out in heaven that his time has not yet come, and the body has already been cremated. For Joe, they select a new earthly shell - the body of a rich businessman, whose death is prepared by the wife and his secretary. D. Mason in the film got the role of the Most High and the nomination for the "Saturn" award.

"Verdict"

The film, shot by Sidney Lumet, based on the same novel by Barry Reed. According to the story, a successful lawyer in the past, now drunk and left without a job, is performed by Paul Newman, which is quite ordinary and unpromising. However, the expert's professional look finds many interesting things in it. The lawyer, motivated by personal motives and the desire to restore justice, decides to bring the trial to court. "Verdict" - a film marked by critics and accepted by the public - received several nominations for "Oscar", including for the best male role of the second plan in the performance of D. Mason.