Roland Culver


Roland Joseph Culver, was an English stage, film, and television actor.

Early life

After Highgate School, Culver joined the Royal Air Force and served as a pilot from 1918 to 1919.

Career

After considering other careers, Culver turned to acting, graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He debuted on the stage in 1924 at Hull Repertory Theatre and, by 1931, was appearing in films in which he was known for his portrayals of impeccable English gentlemen not given to displays of emotion.
In the 1960s Culver branched out into television, before finally retiring in 1983. In 1960, he appeared in Five Finger Exercise at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. He was nominated for the 1966 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for Ivanov. In 1974, he played the irascible Duke of Omnium and Gatherum in the popular BBC adaptation of The Pallisers. He took the role of Claudius opposite Paul Scofield's celebrated Hamlet in Howard Sackler's production for Caedmon Shakespeare Recordings in 1963.

Personal life and death

Culver was married twice, first to actress, director, and casting agent Daphne Rye between 1932 and 1946, then to Nan Hopkins from 1947 until his death from a heart attack in 1984. With his first wife he had two children: actor Michael Culver and Robin Culver. He was awarded an OBE in the 1980 Birthday Honours for services to drama.

Writer

Culver wrote the play A River Breeze, and his autobiography is called Not Quite a Gentleman.

Complete filmography