David Niven Bio, Wife, Death, Army, Career, Awards

David Niven Biography

David Niven was an English actor. He was popular in both Europe and the US. Best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in Separate Tables.

He was an accomplished actor of stage and motion-pictures.

David was born in London and was sent to the prestigious Heatherdown Preparatory School. He was expelled due to his mischievous nature. Niven then proceeded to attend the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He embarked on a military career as a second lieutenant in the British Army.

David did not like the army life either. Similarly, he gained notoriety for his rebellious behavior which angered his seniors.

Eventually, he quit his job and moved to the United States in search of a better future. Nived had got tired of the military. Thus, venturing into Hollywood in the mid-1930s. Soon, he established himself as a reliable supporting actor in films such as The Charge of the Light Brigade and The Prisoner of Zenda.

David was a successful actor by the time World War II broke out. However, he chose to return home and rejoin the army. Niven resumed his acting career after the war and was even more successful than before.

David Niven

Moreover, David was also the author of four books in addition to being an actor.

David Niven Early Life| Childhood

Niven was born James David Graham Niven on March 1, 1910, in London. His parents were William Edward Graham Niven and Henrietta Julia. David had three older siblings. The father was an army man, as were both his grandfathers.

David’s father was killed during World War I in 1915. As a result, his mother remarried Sir Thomas Comyn-Platt in 1917. Besides, it was rumored that his mother had been having an affair with Sir Thomas. This, even before the death of her first husband.

Further, some sources suggest that Sir Thomas may well have been David Niven’s biological father. Niven grew up to be a naughty boy who loved playing pranks. As already mentioned, he was sent to the elite Heatherdown Preparatory School. From where he was expelled due to his mischievous behavior.

David then went to Stowe School, following which he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Niven graduated in 1930 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the British Army.

David Niven Wife| Children

Niven met and married Primula Susan Rollo in 1940. She was simply known as Primmie. They were blessed with two sons in quick succession. Sadly, tragedy struck the family when Primmie died in a freak accident in 1946.

David married Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden a few years later. She was a Swedish fashion model. They adopted two daughters. However, one of them was rumored to be David’s secret love child with a teenage girl.

David Niven Death| Illness

Niven died on July 29, 1983, at the age of 73 years. This is after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1981. Thus, David after ailing for several months. He began experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness, and a warble in his voice in 1980.

In his 1981 interviews, viewers wondered if Niven had either been drinking or suffered a stroke. This was on the talk shows of Michael Parkinson and Merv Griffin.  Family and friends were also alarmed by this.

David blamed his slightly slurred voice on the shooting schedule on the film he had been making. The film was Better Late Than Never. However, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is also called Lou Gehrig’s disease in the US. In the UK is called motor neurone disease (MND). Ultimately, his final appearance in Hollywood was hosting the 1981 American Film Institute tribute to Fred Astaire.

Niven was hospitalized for 10 days in February 1983. Albeit, using a false name to avoid publicity. Ostensibly for a digestive problem. Thereafter, he returned to his chalet at Château-d’. Although his condition continued to decline, he refused to return to the hospital. His family supported his decision.

Coincidentally, he died the same day as Raymond Massey his co-star in The Prisoner of Zenda and A Matter of Life and Death. His body was buried in Château-d’ cemetery, Switzerland.

David Niven Military Career| Army

Niven was assigned to the Highland Light Infantry (HLI). Here he served with the HLI for more than two years but did not enjoy his job. David was promoted to lieutenant in 1933. However, he did not see a future for himself in the military. Moreover, his rebellious streak was also causing problems in his career.

David quit the army and traveled to different places in search of a more interesting profession. As fate would have it, after spending short terms in Bermuda and Cuba, he finally arrived in Hollywood in 1934.

Niven returned to his homeland to fight in what became World War II. This is after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939. David was re-commissioned as a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade in 1940. He took part in the Invasion of Normandy. Niven ended the war as a lieutenant-colonel.

David Niven Acting Career

Initially, he struggled a lot. Eventually, David was able to find minor acting roles in films. Niven was cast in Mutiny on the Bounty in 1935. Impressively, his performance caught the attention of independent film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed him to a contract.

For the next few years, he appeared in several supporting roles in major films. The likes of, Rose-Marie (1936), Dodsworth (1936), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937).

David’s reputation as a reliable and talented supporting actor led to leading roles. In films such, The Dawn Patrol (1938), Three Blind Mice (1938) and Wuthering Heights (1939). Niven, a popular actor by now, shared the screen with legendary performers like Errol Flynn, Loretta Young, and Laurence Olivier.

David Niven Resume Acting

Niven resumed his acting career after the war. Going to play the leading roles in highly successful films. Films such as A Matter of Life and Death (1946), The Bishop’s Wife (1947) and Enchantment (1948).

David’s career flourished throughout the 1950s as well. He starred as Phileas Fogg in producer Michael Todd’s Around the World in 80 Days in 1956. Ultimately, portrayed Major Pollock in Separate Tables in 1958, which won him an Academy Award.

Then the 1960s saw him acting in The Guns of Navarone (1961), The Pink Panther (1963), and Where the Spies Are (1965). David played the role of Sir James Bond 007in 1967. A legendary British spy, in Casino Royale.

David, a highly active individual, continued acting well into the 1970s. Even though he was aging by now. Of his later movies were Murder by Death (1976), Death on the Nile (1978) and The Sea Wolves (1980).

David Niven Major Works

Niven played Major David Angus Pollock in the drama film Separate Tables. Besides, the film also starred Rita Hayworth and Deborah Kerr. Niven’s role as an army man accused of sexually harassing several young women was well received by the audience and the film critics.

David portrayed Phileas Fogg, a refined and well-dressed Victorian gentleman. This is the action-adventure comedy film Around the World in 80 Days. Unbelievably, the movie was a critically acclaimed hit which won five Academy Awards.

David Niven Awards| Achievements

• Niven won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture. The Musical or Comedy in 1953 for the film The Moon Is Blue.
• As already mentioned in 1958, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. This for his role as Major Pollock in Separate Tables.

 

David Niven Legacy

On October 27, 1983, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, a Thanksgiving service for Niven was held. Prince Michael of Kent was among the congregation of 1,200. The congregation also included  Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, Sir John Mills, Sir Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, David Frost, Joanna Lumley, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Lord Olivier.

Graham Lord wrote, “the biggest wreath, worthy of a Mafia Godfather’s funeral, was delivered from the porters at London’s Heathrow Airport, along with a card that read: ‘To the finest gentleman who ever walked through these halls. He made a porter feel like a king.'”. Graham is Biographer.

Niven was included in a series of British postage stamps in 1985. Along with Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Sir Charles Chaplin, Peter Sellers, and Vivien Leigh. This was to commemorate British Film Year.

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