George Arliss

George Arliss was born in Bloomsbury, London, England, on Good Friday, April 10, 1868, but most of his fame was achieved on the American stage and films. His father, William Arliss-Andrews was a publisher in whose office he worked for a short time. At eighteen he began his theatrical career. He toured the provinces and was on the stage almost a year before he was given a line to speak. During this period he met and married, in 1899, Florence Montgomery, an actress. She frequently appeared with him in plays and films. In January 1902, he first appeared in America with Mrs. Patrick Campbell in The Second Mrs. Tanqueray. He then supported Blanche Bates and Mrs. Fiske, and in 1908 reached stardom in The Devil. Among his famous stage roles, which he re-created in motion pictures, were Disraeli, Rukh in The Green Goddess, and Sylvanus Heythorp in Old English. His last stage appearance was as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice during the 1928-29 season. In 1929, he left the stage permanently for films. His physical appearance was not prepossessing. Thin, of medium height, he had mobile features with a sensitive mouth, expressive grey eyes, and an ever-present monocle. He used very little make-up except when appearing in classical roles. A shy, modest, cultivated man, Mr. Arliss detested ostentation. He believed in plenty of rest and fresh air, and walked an hour daily. He was conservative, courteous, and a stickler for detail. He played golf badly and bridge well. He was a vegetarian and was active in anti-vivisection societies. His wife was at his beside when he died February 5, 1946, at his home in Maida Hill, London, of a bronchial ailment.