Donald Crisp, a renowned character actor, was born George William Crisp on the 27th of July 1880 in London, England, to working-class parents James Crisp and Elizabeth Christy. He was the youngest of ten siblings, and despite his humble beginnings, he received a prestigious education at Oxford University. Crisp's early life was marked by a stint in the British Army, where he saw action during the Boer War. He later moved to the United States to pursue a career in acting.
Upon arriving in New York in 1906, Crisp began his acting career as a singer in Grand Opera with the company of impresario John C. Fisher. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming stage manager for George M. Cohan by 1910. Crisp was a member of D.W. Griffith's original stock company, featuring in several notable films, including The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance, and Broken Blossoms. He later joined Famous Players Lasky, where he began directing films in the 1920s, occasionally appearing in his own productions.
Throughout the 1930s, Crisp concentrated on acting, becoming one of the most prolific character players in Hollywood. He was known for his versatility, playing a wide range of roles, from crusty patriarchs to stern military officers. Crisp's filmography boasts an impressive list of A-grade output, including Mutiny on the Bounty, The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Life of Emile Zola, and How Green Was My Valley, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Crisp's most iconic roles include the original owner of the famous canine in Lassie Come Home, Elizabeth Taylor's father in National Velvet, and the head of a Welsh mining family in How Green Was My Valley. He also delivered a standout performance as a ruthless tobacco planter in the underrated Gary Cooper drama Bright Leaf.
Donald Crisp passed away on May 25, 1974, at the age of 91, in Van Nuys, California. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Vine Street, commemorating his enduring legacy in the world of cinema.
