Donald Crisp
Known for
Donald Crisp was a figure of enormous longevity in American cinema, present from the days of silent film well into the sound era. Born in London in 1882, he worked alongside pioneers such as D. W. Griffith before establishing himself as one of the great character actors of Hollywood. His portrayal of the Welsh mining patriarch in John Ford's 'How Green Was My Valley' earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Deceased in 1974, he also left his mark on titles such as 'National Velvet', embodying with authority and tenderness fathers and upright men of a bygone era.
Donald Crisp
108 Movies
Donald Crisp was a figure of enormous longevity in American cinema, present from the days of silent film well into the sound era. Born in London in 1882, he worked alongside pioneers such as D. W. Griffith before establishing himself as one of the great character actors of Hollywood. His portrayal of the Welsh mining patriarch in John Ford's 'How Green Was My Valley' earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Deceased in 1974, he also left his mark on titles such as 'National Velvet', embodying with authority and tenderness fathers and upright men of a bygone era.
Movies
Plays Dr. Kenneth
Wuthering Heights
1939
Plays Gwilym Morgan
How Green Was My Valley
1941
Plays Gen. U.S. Grant
The Birth of a Nation
1915
Plays Admiral Sir John Burleson
The Sea Hawk
1940
Plays Thomas Burkitt
Mutiny on the Bounty
1935
Plays Dr. Livingstone
Jezebel
1938
Plays Sam Carraclough
Lassie Come Home
1943
Plays Maréchal Bazaine
Juarez
1939
Plays Alec Waggoman
The Man from Laramie
1955
Plays King Aguar
Prince Valiant
1954
Plays Father John Callahan, C.S.C
Knute Rockne All American
1940
Plays Mayor Karl Warren
Pollyanna
1960
Plays Huntly
Mary of Scotland
1936
Plays Commander Beech
The Uninvited
1944
Plays Mr. Herbert Brown
National Velvet
1945
Plays Sir Charles Emery
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1941
Plays Old Martin
The Long Gray Line
1955
Plays Colonel Campbell
The Charge of the Light Brigade
1936
Plays The Cardinal
The Last Hurrah
1958
Plays Major Singleton
Bright Leaf
1950
Plays MacTavish
The Black Pirate
1926
Plays Maitre Labori
The Life of Emile Zola
1937
Plays Police Inspector Lewis Lane
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse
1938
Plays Battling Burrows
Broken Blossoms or The Yellow Man and the Girl
1919
Plays William Scott
The Valley of Decision
1945
Plays Grandpa Spencer
Spencer's Mountain
1963
Plays Jim Crew
Ramrod
1947
Plays Francis Bacon
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
1939
Plays Brother Superior
Brother Orchid
1940
Plays Dennis Deneen
Saddle the Wind
1958
Plays Doctor Lanskell
The Old Maid
1939
Plays Scotty MacPherson
City for Conquest
1940
Plays Barney Rebstock
Whispering Smith
1948
Plays Sam Carraclough
Son of Lassie
1945
Plays Michael Davitt
Parnell
1937
Plays Minister Althoff
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet
1940
Plays James Brown
Greyfriars Bobby
1961
Plays Guidon
Red Dust
1932
Plays Andy Stone
Valley of the Giants
1938
Plays Police Captain Cromwell
The Great O'Malley
1937
Plays J.B. Pond
The Adventures of Mark Twain
1944
Plays Captain Martin
Forever and a Day
1943
Plays Tim Hazelton
The Sisters
1938
Plays David Wylie
What Every Woman Knows
1934
Plays Liam Burke
Beloved Enemy
1936
Plays Samuel 'Sam' Sloane
Daughters Courageous
1939
Plays Phipps
The Dawn Patrol
1938
Plays Ralph Pedloch
The Gay Sisters
1942
Director
Plays Don Sebastian
Don Q Son of Zorro
1925
Plays John MacFarland
Home Town Story
1951
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Spencer's Mountain
Full Filmography
Spencer's Mountain
Grandpa Spencer
1963
Film
Greyfriars Bobby
James Brown
1961
Film
Pollyanna
Mayor Karl Warren
1960
Film
A Dog of Flanders
Jehan Daas
1959
Film
The Last Hurrah
The Cardinal
1958
Film
Saddle the Wind
Dennis Deneen
1958
Film
The Man from Laramie
Alec Waggoman
1955
Film
The Long Gray Line
Old Martin
1955
Film
Prince Valiant
King Aguar
1954
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donald Crisp still alive?
Donald Crisp passed away on May 25, 1974 at age 91.
What are the most famous roles of Donald Crisp?
Donald Crisp is best known for roles in The Birth of a Nation, How Green Was My Valley, Mutiny on the Bounty.
How many movies has Donald Crisp been in?
Over a 65-year career (since 1909), Donald Crisp has appeared in 108 movies and 0 TV shows.
What was Donald Crisp's first movie?
The career of Donald Crisp began with Through the Breakers (1909).
What is Donald Crisp's most recent movie or series?
Donald Crisp's most recent release is Spencer's Mountain, which premiered on May 16, 1963.
Donald Crisp
1882-07-26 · Bow, London, England, UK
Donald Crisp was born George William Crisp at the family home in Bow, London. Donald's parents were James Crisp and Elizabeth Crisp, his birth was registered by his mother on 4th September 1882. Donald's sisters were Elizabeth, Ann, Alice (known as Louisa) and Eliza and his brothers were James, John and Mark. Family memories state that Donald's brother-in-law James Needham (Louisa's husband) lent/gave Donald the fare to USA. The family have a photo of Donald which he sent to 'Jimmy' and signed. On 16th February 1937 Donald applied for a US Social Security account number giving his address as N Vista Street Hollywood California, and his employers Warner Brothers Pictures, Burbank California. On his application Donald did not know his mother's maiden name.