Holmes Herbert

Holmes Herbert

Deceased · Born: Jul 30, 1882 · Died: Dec 26, 1956

Personal Details

BornJul 30, 1882 Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
Spouse
  • Agnes Bartholomew

    ( Dec 31, 1969 to Sep 10, 1955 )
  • Elinor Kershaw

    ( Jun 1, 1930 to Dec 9, 2025 )
  • Beryl Mercer

    ( Jun 3, 1909 to Dec 9, 2025 )

Biography

Noted thespian Holmes Herbert, a towering figure in the realm of English acting, embarked on a cinematic journey that spanned a remarkable 37 years, commencing his foray into the world of film upon his arrival in America.

Initially, Herbert made a name for himself as a leading man in the era of silent movies, showcasing his prowess in a variety of starring roles. However, with the advent of sound, his career trajectory underwent a subtle shift, and he found himself relegated to character actor status, albeit still maintaining a presence in the industry.

One of Herbert's most notable and enduring associations was his involvement in Universal's Sherlock Holmes film series, which served as the catalyst for his stage name. His portrayal of the iconic detective undoubtedly left an indelible mark on his career, and his contributions to the franchise continue to be celebrated to this day.

Ultimately, Holmes Herbert's impressive tenure in the entertainment industry came to a close in 1952, marking the end of a storied career that had spanned nearly four decades. Despite the challenges and changes that he faced throughout his career, Herbert's legacy as a talented and dedicated actor remains an enduring testament to his dedication to his craft.

Career

1952
The Brigand
The Brigand as Archbishop
The Wild North
The Wild North as Magistrate (uncredited)
1951
Anne of the Indies
Anne of the Indies as English Sea Captain
The Son of Dr. Jekyll
The Son of Dr. Jekyll as Constable (uncredited)
1950
The Iroquois Trail
The Iroquois Trail as Gen. Johnson
1949
Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific as Head of Canadian Parliament (uncredited)
Barbary Pirate
Barbary Pirate as Thomas Jefferson
The Lost Tribe
The Lost Tribe as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1948
Jungle Jim
Jungle Jim as Commissioner Geoffrey Marsden
The Swordsman
The Swordsman as Lord Glowan
Family Honeymoon
Family Honeymoon as Rev. Miller (uncredited)
A Woman's Vengeance
A Woman's Vengeance as Warder (uncredited)
Johnny Belinda
Johnny Belinda as Judge (uncredited)
Sorry, Wrong Number
Sorry, Wrong Number as Wilkins (uncredited)
1947
Singapore
Singapore as Rev. Barnes
Bulldog Drummond at Bay
Bulldog Drummond at Bay as Scotland Yard Inspector McIvar
Ivy
Ivy as Mulloy (uncredited)
1946
Dressed to Kill
Dressed to Kill as Ebenezer Crabtree
The Verdict
The Verdict as Sir William Dawson
Three Strangers
Three Strangers as Sir Robert (uncredited)
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy as Dr. White, Minister
1945
Jealousy
Jealousy as Melvyn Russell
Confidential Agent
Confidential Agent as Lord Benditch
The House of Fear
The House of Fear as Alan Cosgrave
Swingin' on a Rainbow
Swingin' on a Rainbow as Butler (uncredited)
1944
The Mummy's Curse
The Mummy's Curse as Dr. Cooper
The Pearl of Death
The Pearl of Death as James Goodram, courier
The Unwritten Code
The Unwritten Code as McDowell (uncredited)
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay as Captain (uncredited)
The Uninvited
The Uninvited as Charlie Jessup
1943
Calling Dr. Death
Calling Dr. Death as Bryant, the Butler
Corvette K-225
Corvette K-225 as Commodore Ramsay
1942
Invisible Agent
Invisible Agent as Sir Alfred Spencer
This Above All
This Above All as Dr. Mathias
The Undying Monster
The Undying Monster as Chief Constable (uncredited)
Lady in a Jam
Lady in a Jam as Man at Auction (uncredited)
1941
Man Hunt
Man Hunt as Saul Farnsworthy
1940
An Angel from Texas
An Angel from Texas as Second Banker
The Earl of Chicago
The Earl of Chicago as Sergeant-at-Arms (uncredited)
A Dispatch from Reuters
A Dispatch from Reuters as Member of Parliament (uncredited)
Phantom Raiders
Phantom Raiders as Sir Edward
Boom Town
Boom Town as Doctor (uncredited)
The Letter
The Letter as Robert's Friend at Bar at Party (uncredited)
Foreign Correspondent
Foreign Correspondent as Asst. Commissioner
1939
British Intelligence
British Intelligence as Arthur Bennett
Wolf Call
Wolf Call as J.L. Winton
The Mystery of Mr. Wong
The Mystery of Mr. Wong as Prof. Ed Janney
Bad Boy
Bad Boy as Mr. McNeil
20, 000 Men a Year
20, 000 Men a Year as Dean Norris
Juarez
Juarez as Marshal Randon (uncredited)
Mystery of the White Room
Mystery of the White Room as Hospital Administrator
We Are Not Alone
We Are Not Alone as Police Inspector
Rulers of the Sea
Rulers of the Sea as Member of Naval Company (Uncredited)
The House of Fear
The House of Fear as Minor Role
The Sun Never Sets
The Sun Never Sets as Colonial Official
Intermezzo
Intermezzo as Doctor (Uncredited)
Stanley and Livingstone
Stanley and Livingstone as Frederick Holcomb
Tower of London
Tower of London as Councilman (uncredited)
Mr. Moto's Last Warning
Mr. Moto's Last Warning as Bentham (uncredited)
1938
Here's Flash Casey
Here's Flash Casey as Maj. Addison
The Black Doll
The Black Doll as Dr. Giddings
Say It in French
Say It in French as Richard Carrington Sr.
Kidnapped
Kidnapped as Judge
The Buccaneer
The Buccaneer as Captain McWilliams
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette as Herald (uncredited)
1937
The Thirteenth Chair
The Thirteenth Chair as Roscoe Crosby
The Girl Said No
The Girl Said No as Charles Dillon (scenes deleted)
Slave Ship
Slave Ship as Commander
1936
The House of Secrets
The House of Secrets as Sir Bertram Evans - Home Secretary
15 Maiden Lane
15 Maiden Lane as Harold Anderson
Champagne Charlie
Champagne Charlie as Captain Dell
Wife vs. Secretary
Wife vs. Secretary as Frawley (uncredited)
The Country Beyond
The Country Beyond as Inspector Reed
1935
Accent on Youth
Accent on Youth as Frank Galloway
One in a Million
One in a Million as Donald Cabot Sr.
Mark of the Vampire
Mark of the Vampire as Sir Karell Borotyn
Captain Blood
Captain Blood as Capt. Gardner
1934
Sons of Steel
Sons of Steel as Curtis Chadburne
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Pursuit of Happiness as Gen. Sir Henry Clinton
1933
The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man as Chief of Police
1932
Sister to Judas
Sister to Judas as Bruce Rogers
Miss Pinkerton
Miss Pinkerton as Arthur Glenn
Central Park
Central Park as Benefit Emcee (uncredited)
1931
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as Dr. John Lanyon
Broadminded
Broadminded as John J. Hackett Sr.
Daughter of the Dragon
Daughter of the Dragon as Sir John Petrie
Chances
Chances as Maj. Bradford
The Hot Heiress
The Hot Heiress as Mr. Hunter
1930
1929
Madame X
Madame X as Noel
Untamed
Untamed as Howard Presley
The Kiss
The Kiss as Lassalle
The Thirteenth Chair
The Thirteenth Chair as Sir Roscoe Crosby
Say It with Songs
Say It with Songs as Dr. Robert Merrill
1927
Mr. Wu
Mr. Wu as Mr. Gregory
When a Man Loves
When a Man Loves as Jean Tiberge
1924
The Enchanted Cottage
The Enchanted Cottage as Major Hillgrove