Alexander Knox was a Presbyterian minister's son, known for his soft-spoken and intellectual demeanor. He received his education from the University of Western Ontario, where he studied English literature and was an excellent elocutionist. Knox's professional theatrical debut began on the Boston stage in 1929, and he soon transitioned to the London stage, where he worked with notable directors and actors such as Tyrone Guthrie and Laurence Olivier.
Knox's early film career included appearances in "The Phantom Strikes" (1938) and "The Four Feathers" (1939),but it was his Broadway debut in "Romeo and Juliet" (1940) that brought him widespread recognition. He went on to appear in numerous stage productions, including "The Three Sisters" (1942-43),and eventually made his Hollywood film bow in "The Sea Wolf" (1941).
Knox was often typecast as men of integrity, playing stern authority figures, psychiatrists, academics, and politicians. His performance as Woodrow Wilson in the biopic "Wilson" (1944) earned him critical acclaim, but the film itself was a commercial failure. Knox continued to work in film and television throughout his career, appearing in productions such as "The Damned" (1962),"Accident" (1967),and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (1979).
In addition to his acting career, Knox was a prolific writer, publishing plays, screenplays, and novels. He died in 1995 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile actor and writer.
