James Villiers, a character actor of aristocratic background, was unmistakable in his on-screen presence, courtesy of his sardonic features and precisely modulated voice. His typecasting as a snobbish, supercilious upper-class twit, effeteweakling, or comic second-string villain was a recurring theme throughout his extensive career.
A graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA),Villiers' first major stage appearance was in the 1954 West End production of "Toad of Toad Hall". He went on to expand his repertoire at the Old Vic, performing in productions of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" and "Richard III", as well as touring on Broadway.
Throughout his theatrical career, Villiers acted in plays by renowned playwrights such as Noël Coward, Oscar Wilde, and George Bernard Shaw. One of his most critically acclaimed performances was in Coward's "Private Lives" in 1972. Just prior to his death, he played the role of "Mr. Brownlow" in "Oliver!" at the London Palladium.
In the 1960s, Villiers appeared in several films directed by Joseph Losey, including "The Damned" (1962). One of his most convincing roles was as a parent in "The Nanny" (1965),a film featuring a menacing performance by Bette Davis. He also appeared in several horror movies, such as "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" (1971) and the Amicus production of "Asylum" (1972),showcasing his ability to adopt a plummy-voiced persona.
On television, Villiers was perfectly cast as "Professor Higgins" in the 1973 adaptation of "Pygmalion", co-starring Lynn Redgrave as "Eliza Doolittle". One of his earlier successes was in the 1969 BBC period drama "The First Churchills", in which he played the role of "King Charles II", a character he was said to have resembled.
Throughout his career, Villiers was known for his ability to bring a sense of Britishness to his roles. He passed away in January 1998, succumbing to cancer in West Sussex.
