George Arliss

Born George Augustus Andrews, Arliss began his stage career in 1886 at age 18, a British actor of the old school. He came to America in 1902 and stayed for two decades, appearing in many Broadway productions and, later, silent films. Onstage, Arliss established himself in historical roles or as eminent statesmen, kings, rajahs, eccentric millionaires, etc. He transferred these talents to film and unexpectedly became a major star. At age 53, he debuted on film in The Devil (1921), in which he had appeared onstage in 1906. Also in 1921, Arliss reprised his stage work in the title role of the silent film Disraeli; he later won an Academy Award (becoming the first British actor to do so) for his work in the sound version of the same play (1929). Married to actress Florence Montgomery, who appeared with him in several films, he retired from the screen (following Dr. Syn) when she lost her sight in 1937. Arliss is the author of three autobiographies: On the Stage (1926), Up the Years from Bloomsbury (1927), and My Ten Years in the Studios (1940).