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Clive BrookBritish stage, film and television actor
Date of Birth: 01.06.1887
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Clive Brook
Clive Brook was a British actor of stage, film, and television, whose first appearance on screen took place in 1920, and his last in 1963. Over his 43-year acting career, he played more than 100 roles in film, with only two in television series. Among his notable theater works were plays such as 'Oliver Twist,' 'The Voysey Inheritence,' 'If I Were King,' 'Importance of Being Ernest,' 'Clothes and the Woman,' and 'Second Threshold' on Broadway.
Early Life and Education
Clifford Hardman Brook was born on June 1, 1887, in London, United Kingdom. He was the son of opera singer Charlotte Mary Brook and George Alfred Brook, a gold mine owner. Clive attended the private boarding school Dulwich College. During World War I, he served in the light infantry and returned home as a major. Clive was a tall (180 cm), grey-eyed brunette with refined features, which made him look remarkable both on stage and screen. He made his debut on the theatrical stage in 1918 as a mature adult and, two years later, portrayed an English lord in his first film, the silent sports comedy 'Kissing Cup's Race.'
Career in Hollywood
In 1924, after having performed in thirty films in Britain, Brook moved to the United States and began his career in Hollywood. Some notable British films of his include 'Trent's Last Case' (1920), 'Her Penalty' (1921), 'Christie Johnstone' (1921), 'Shirley' (1922), 'The Sheik' (1922), 'The Experiment' (1922), 'The White Shadow' (1923), and 'The Reverse of the Medal' (1923). He started working with the film company 'Thomas Ince Corp.' and later moved to 'Paramount Studios' in 1926. During this period, he appeared in films such as 'Hula' (1927) and 'Underworld' (1927) and portrayed the famous detective in 'The Four Feathers' (1929) and 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes' (1929). One of his most famous works was his role as Captain 'Doc' Harvey in the drama 'Shanghai Express' (1932) alongside the magnificent Marlene Dietrich.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1935, Clive Brook returned to his homeland, continuing his career there. In 1943, he adapted Frederick Lonsdale's play 'On Approval' for the screen, where he acted as the director, screenwriter, producer, and played the lead role. This was his last film project for the next two decades, apart from two appearances on television in the early 1950s. In 1963, Brook portrayed Marquis of Gleneyre in the thrilling thriller 'The List of Adrian Messenger.' In 1949, Clive Brook became the host of the radio series 'The Secrets of Scotland Yard' and continued to appear on stage.
Clive Brook married English actress Mildred Evelyn in 1920 when she was 22 years old. They remained together for over fifty years until the end of his life. They appeared together in several films at the beginning of their careers. Their daughter, Faith Brook (born in 1922), and son, Lyndon Brook (1926 - 2004), both became actors. Clive Brook passed away on November 17, 1974, in London at the age of 87. Mildred survived him by 15 years and died on December 30, 1989, at the age of 92.
