Desmond Roberts


Desmond Roberts was a British stage and film actor who also played first-class cricket, 1913–1936, for Surrey.
He began his film career at the end of the silent era and had his only leading role in A Reckless Gamble. After which he had a brief sojourn to Hollywood, where he appeared in a number of classic films including Tarzan and His Mate, Of Human Bondage, and Clive of India. He then settled back in Britain, where he became a familiar supporting player in movies such as Scott of the Antarctic, The Man in the White Suit, and A Night to Remember.
He was born in Hampstead, and died in Eastbourne.

Partial filmography

  • A Woman in Pawn - David Courthill
  • The City of Youth
  • A Reckless Gamble - Dick Beresford
  • Way for a Sailor - Canadian Queen Captain
  • The Royal Bed - Major Blent
  • The Squaw Man - Hardwick
  • But the Flesh Is Weak - Findley
  • Cavalcade - Ronnie James
  • The King's Vacation - Dolan - Sergeant Footman
  • Christopher Strong - Bryce Mercer
  • Headline Shooter - Beauty Contest Judge
  • Captured! - British Officer in the Trench
  • Blind Adventure - Harvey
  • Mandalay - Police Sergeant
  • The House of Rothschild - Guest at Reception Hall
  • Riptide - Hotel Manager
  • Tarzan and His Mate - Henry Van Ness
  • The Key - Regular
  • Of Human Bondage - Dr. Jacobs
  • Grand Canary - Purser
  • The Count of Monte Cristo - Blacas
  • The Girl from Missouri - Harris - Cousin's Butler
  • Jane Eyre - Dr. John Rivers
  • The Fountain - Willett
  • House of Danger - Gordon - the Butler
  • Menace - Underwood
  • Limehouse Blues - Constable
  • Clive of India - Third Director
  • Gaol Break - Paul Kendall
  • Under the Red Robe - Captain Rivarolle
  • Lily of Laguna - Arnold Egerton
  • My Ain Folk - Factory manager
  • Give Me the Stars - Ship's Captain
  • The Echo Murders - Cotter
  • School for Secrets - 2nd Club Member
  • Bothered by a Beard
  • Dusty Bates - Ginger Green
  • The White Unicorn - Elderly Roue
  • The Calendar - Rainby
  • Scott of the Antarctic - Admiralty Official
  • The Bad Lord Byron - 2nd Old club member
  • The Man in the White Suit - Mannering
  • Appointment in London - Admiral Parker
  • Beau Brummell - Colonel
  • Simba - Colonel Bridgeman
  • The Haunted Strangler - Dr. Johnson
  • I Was Monty's Double - Brigadier
  • The Two-Headed Spy - Gen. Zeiss
  • A Night to Remember - Mr. Douglas
  • A Touch of Larceny - Club Member
  • Double Bunk - Freighter Captain
  • Murder Ahoy! - Sir Geoffrey Bucknose
  • Mister Ten Per Cent - Manservant