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Robert Newton

Robert Newton
Robert Newton
Born: Jun 01, 1905 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England
Died: Mar 25, 1956 in Beverly Hills, California
Occupation: Actor
Active: '30s-'50s
Major Genres: Drama, Adventure
Career Highlights: Henry V, Around the World in 80 Days, Oliver Twist
First Major Screen Credit: The Squeaker (1937)
4 Videos for Robert Newton
Around the World in 80 Days (1956) Androcles and the Lion (1952) Henry V (1944)
Long John Silver (1953)
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Biography:

Professionally, British actor Robert Newton was two people: The wry, sensitive, often subtle performer seen in such plays as Noel Coward's {~Private Lives} and such films as This Happy Breed (1944), and the eye-rolling, chop-licking ham in such roles as Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist (1948) and Long John Silver (arr! arr!) in Treasure Island (1950).

Born into a gifted family -- his mother was a writer, his father and his siblings painters -- Newton made his professional debut when he was 15 with the British Repertory Company. Before he was 25, Newton had toured the world as an actor and stage manager, making his Broadway bow when he replaced Laurence Olivier in {-Private Lives}.

There was little of Olivier (except perhaps the older Olivier) in most of Newton's movie roles; despite his wide actor's range, he seemed happiest tearing a passion to tatters in such films as Jamaica Inn (1939), Blackbeard the Pirate (1952) and The Beachcomber (1954).

Ripe though his acting could be, it was clear Newton knew his audience. From 1947 through 1951 he was one of Britain's top ten moneymaking film stars, so who were the critics to tell him what to do? Newton's final film role was the dogged Inspector Fix in the blockbuster Around the World in 80 Days (1956).

Less than one month after completing Around the World in 80 Days, Robert Newton died of a heart attack in the arms of his wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide.