Bernard Miles, a renowned British character actor, was born in 1907 in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, to a humble family with a father who worked as a farm laborer and a mother who was a skilled cook. After completing his education at Pembroke College, Oxford, Miles embarked on a career in teaching before joining the esteemed New Theatre in London. His subsequent collaboration with Herbert Farjeon's revue company in 1937 marked the beginning of his illustrious theatrical career.
Throughout his extensive career, Miles made relatively few film appearances, yet his multifaceted talents enabled him to take on various roles, including director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. In addition to his on-screen work, Miles was a prolific force behind the scenes, contributing to the development of numerous films.
In 1959, Miles took a bold step by opening the Mermaid Theatre in London, a venture that would ultimately earn him recognition and accolades. His outstanding contributions to the London stage were formally acknowledged when he was knighted in 1969, and he was later conferred a life peerage in 1979, a testament to his enduring impact on the world of theatre.
