[8], Pleasence made his big-screen debut with the 1954 movie The Beachcomber. It was directed by Kevin Connor and stars Peter Cushing and Donald Pleasance. Donald Henry Pleasence OBE (/ˈplɛzəns/;[2] 5 October 1919 – 2 February 1995)[3] was an English actor. Go to the head of the horror class if you can predict who†ll join the ranks of the doomed from among the roll call of distinguished British actors: Ian Bannen, Ian Carmichael, Diana Dors, Lesley-Anne Down, Margaret Leighton, Donald Pleasence, Nyree Dawn Porter, David Warner, and more. [5], During the early 1960s, Pleasence recorded several children's-story records. Born Donald Jay Rickles, he was best known for a cheerfully belligerent brand of humor that relied heavily on ad-libbed insults and broad cultural stereotypes. [18] His body was cremated. Pleasence did the voice-over for the British Public Information Film, The Spirit of Dark and Lonely Water in 1973. In Tony Richardson's movie, Look Back in Anger, he plays a market inspector. [4], Pleasence was born Donald Henry Pleasence in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England on October 5, 1919. [6], During World War II, Pleasence was sent to serve in the Royal Air Force. Donald Henry Pleasence , OBE (October 5, 1919 – Februar 2, 1995) wis an Inglis actor. He was born to Thomas Stanley Pleasence, a railway stationmaster, and his wife. (1961) as the “horrible-looking zombie” solicitor opposite Shirley Eaton, Sid James, Kenneth Connor and Dennis Price. Go to the head of the horror class if you can predict who’ll join the ranks of the doomed from among the roll call of distinguished British actors: Ian Bannen, Ian Carmichael, Diana Dors, Lesley-Anne Down, Margaret Leighton, Donald Pleasence, Nyree Dawn Porter, David Warner, and more. He and Shore had one daughter, Miranda. Trained in theatre, Pleasence's first major film role came in Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), followed by roles in horror films such as From Beyond the Grave and Symptoms (1974). [8] He worked in theatres in Birmingham and Bristol. Pleasence was the author of the children's book Scouse the Mouse (1977) (London: New English Library), which was animated by Canadian animator/film director Gerald Potterton (a friend of the actor, who directed him in the Canadian film The Rainbow Boys (1973), retitled The Rainbow Gang for VHS release in the United States) and also adapted into a children's recording (Polydor Records, 1977) with Ringo Starr voicing the book's title character, Scouse the Mouse. [10] He was the author of the 1977 children's book Scouse the Mouse. According to the film critic Kim Newman on a DVD commentary for Halloween II, the reason for Pleasence's lengthy filmography was that he never turned down any role that was offered. Pleasence provided the voice-over for the British public information film, The Spirit of Dark and Lonely Water (1973). [9] The adaptation was by Nigel Kneale. He has the kind of piercing stare which lifts enamel off saucepans.". In this series, his daughter Angela Pleasence played his onscreen daughter Susan. [11] He received positive critical attention for his role as Syme in the BBC version of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954) from the novel by George Orwell. Donald Pleasence – birth and early life. 2:49 From Beyond The Grave. In the same year, Pleasence starred in the horror films Circus of Horrors directed by Sidney Hayers, playing the role of Vanet, the owner of a circus, and The Flesh and the Fiends as the real-life murderer William Hare, alongside Peter Cushing, George Rose and Billie Whitelaw.[14]. Obituary for D. Pleasence, 'The Independent', 3 February 1995. [citation needed]. The movie tells four stories of people who have, shall we say, unfortunate encounters with the spirits of … [3], In 1939, Pleasence started working on stage as an assistant stage manager. At age 18 he enlisted in the navy and served in the Philippines during World War II. Pleasence starred as the Reverend Septimus Harding in the BBC's TV series The Barchester Chronicles (1982). This page was last changed on 5 January 2021, at 17:59. Angela Pleasence, Actress: Your Highness. The 1995 film Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers was dedicated to Donald Pleasence. [3] He served with 166 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command. Evil in the successful Austin Powers film series, which primarily parodies it. [5] He also appeared in minor roles such as in Barnacle Bill and in The Wind Cannot Read. Prometheus Entertainment, Halloween: A Cut Above the Rest, 2003, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: A Caribbean Mystery, "Donald Pleasence: to Halloween and Back", "Full text of "The Player A Profile Of An Art, Star Pupils Revealed at Scunthorpe Telegraph, "Musical Version of 'Dr. The surname for both daughter and father has occasionally been credited as "Pleasance". Daphne Anne Angela Pleasence (born 30 September 1941), better known as Angela Pleasence, is an English actress.Trained in theatre, Pleasence's first major film role came in Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), followed by roles in horror films such as From Beyond the Grave and Symptoms (1974). Pleasence made his television debut in I Want to Be a Doctor (1946). [3] He was raised in Lincolnshire, England. Balding, quietly-spoken, of slight build and possessed of piercing blue eyes -- often peering out from behind round, steel-rimmed glasses -- Donald Pleasence had the necessary physical attributes which make a great screen villain. The wraparound story featuring Peter Cushing ties things up neatly, and allows the hinted moral consequence needed for each ironic ending. He was born Dominic Felix Amici in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to a father who was a saloon keeper. The rather sinister accent which Pleasence employed in this and other films may be credited to the elocution lessons he had as a child. Pleasence was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England. [12], From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, "Donald Pleasence, Virtuoso Actor, Dies at 75", https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donald_Pleasence&oldid=7251814, Internet Broadway Database person ID same as Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License, Flight Lieutenant Colin Blythe RAF, "The Forger". GB Peter Cushing, David Warner, Ian Bannen, Donald Pleasence, Margaret Leighton, Lesley-Anne Down, Diana Dors, Ian Ogilvy; D: Kevin … (1974), Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler in The Eagle Has Landed (1976), and the Bond arch-villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in You Only Live Twice (1967), the first film in which Blofeld's face is clearly seen. [11] His last full movie, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers was dedicated in his memory. Starring: Peter Cushing, David Warner, Donald Pleasence, Diana Dors, Ian Ogilvy, Margaret Leighton, Ian Bannen Just in time for Halloween, Warner Archive is rolling out some spooky-treats on Blu-Ray! Actor, Comedian. [4] Pleasence is known for his role as Dr. Samuel Loomis in John Carpenter's Halloween. Actor, Singer. In December 1939, Pleasence initially refused conscription into the British Armed Forces, registering as a conscientious objector, but changed his stance in autumn 1940, after the attacks upon London by the Luftwaffe, and volunteered with the Royal Air Force. Evil, the character played by Mike Myers in the Austin Powers comedy films (1997–2002), and Doctor Claw from Inspector Gadget are parodies of Pleasence's performance as Blofeld in You Only Live Twice. He married Miriam Raymond in 1941. In Tony Richardson's film of Look Back in Anger (1959), he plays a vindictive market inspector opposite Richard Burton. Donald Pleasence – The 1970s. His last marriage was to Linda Kentwood (m. 1988–1995; his death). [15] The film was a major success and was considered the highest grossing independent film of its time, earning accolades as a classic of the horror genre. She is the daughter of actor Donald Pleasence and his first wife, Miriam Raymond. Pleasence married four times and had five daughters from his first three marriages. Another good story is "An Act of Kindness," starring Donald Pleasence, looking very sinister and mean and withdrawn, and Angela Pleasence, looking just like her father. Pleasence played Prince John in several episodes of the ITV series The Adventures of Robin Hood (1956–1958). He ventured successfully into American cowboy territory, playing a sadistic self-styled preacher who goes after stoic Charlton Heston in the Western Will Penny (1968). Pleasence was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of Alice (née Armitage) and Thomas Stanley Pleasence, a railway station master. A few years later, he portrayed antagonist Lucas Deranian, in Walt Disney's Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and, in Telefon (1977), Nicolai Dalchimsky, the Russian seeking to start a war between the United States and the Soviet Union. He wis raisit in Lincolnshire, Ingland. [4] He won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor in 1959. Much more. [21], In 2010, Pleasence was identified as the IMDb member with the second-most impressive closeness centrality.[22]. [5] He reprised his Dr. Loomis role in Halloween II, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. In the 2018 film, Halloween, sound-alike comedian Colin Mahan voiced Loomis. Some notable early roles include Parsons in 1984 (1956), and minor roles opposite Alec Guinness in Barnacle Bill (1957) and Dirk Bogarde in The Wind Cannot Read (1958). ... (Donald Pleasence) to help him out. [4] He was brought up as a strict Methodist in the small village of Grimoldby, Lincolnshire. [4] It was following a heart valve replacement surgery. He also acted in Roman Polanski's Cul-de-sac (1966), in which he portrayed the love-sodden husband of a much younger French wife (Françoise Dorléac). At eleven he was attending St. Birchman's Boys Academy in Marion, Iowa, where the acting bug bit. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' Stars Kirk Douglas", "Donald Pleasence, Virtuoso Actor, Dies at 75", "Dr. Loomis Has a Voice Cameo in Halloween 2018", "New 'Halloween' almost had a completely different beginning", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donald_Pleasence&oldid=1014222484, Officers of the Order of the British Empire, Royal Air Force personnel of World War II, World War II prisoners of war held by Germany, People educated at Ecclesfield Grammar School, Best Actor BAFTA Award (television) winners, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Turner Classic Movies person ID same as Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with CANTIC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Flight Lieutenant Colin Blythe, "The Forger", Appeared in additional footage (filmed during the production of, 1992 workprint and Fred Calvert version only, The film was dedicated to his memory (posthumous release), Episode: "The Ninety-Second War: Part II", This page was last edited on 25 March 2021, at 21:28. 166 Squadron in Bomber Command, with which he flew almost sixty raids against the Axis over occupied Europe. Donald Pleasence, like countrymen Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing, George Zucco, and Christopher Lee, had one thing in common besides country of birth. Pleasence played Prince John in several episodes of the ITV series The Adventures of Robin Hood. -There are … Donald Pleasence was born on October 5, 1919, in a place called Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England. The last of the Amicus horror portmanteau productions (outside of The Uncanny and The Monster Club, both of which were produced without the participation of Max Rosenberg), From Beyond the Grave was also the first film helmed by Kevin Connor, who went on to direct The Land That Time Forgot, The People That Time Forgot, At the Earth’s Core, and Motel Hell, among others. [9], Pleasence's first television work was in I Want to Be A Doctor in 1946. In his book British Film Character Actors (1982), Terence Pettigrew describes Pleasence as "a potent combination of eyes and voice. Welcome to Temptations Ltd., a decrepit antique shop whose unwary customers get more […] He collaborated with Halloween director John Carpenter twice more, as the President of the United States in Escape from New York (1981), and as the Priest in Prince of Darkness (1987). Donald Pleasence and daughter Angela are also delightfully devious in "An Act of Kindness." He appeared as the mild-mannered and good-natured POW forger Colin Blythe in the film The Great Escape (1963), who discovers that he is slowly going blind, but nonetheless participates in the mass break-out, only to be shot down by German soldiers because he is unable to see them. [4], Pleasence had five daughters. In 1971, he returned to the realm of the deranged, delivering a tour de force performance in the role of an alcoholic Australian doctor in Ted Kotcheff's nightmarish outback drama Wake in Fright. From Beyond the Grave, which capped off a run including some of the best-loved horror anthologies ever made, ends things on a high note. In 1966, he also guest starred in an episode of The Fugitive entitled "With Strings Attached", In 1973, Pleasence played a sympathetic murderer in an episode of Columbo entitled "Any Old Port in a Storm". Much more. First up we have the 1974 Amicus anthology From Beyond the Grave . Obituary for Pleasence, 'The Independent', 2 February 1995. After the war and his release, he was discharged from the RAF in 1946. The younger of two sons of a railway stationmaster, Pleasence quit school a year before graduation to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an actor. [4] He married Meira Shore in 1970. These were marketed as the Talespinners series in the United Kingdom. The eyes are mournful but they can also be sinister or seedy or just plain nutty. Roles such as in Barnacle Bill and in the Wind can not.... 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