04-23-2005, 08:31 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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follower of the child's crusade?
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Sir John Mills, dead at 97
A true legend. RIP
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...lm/4476875.stm
Quote:
Acting legend Sir John Mills dies
Sir John Mills, one of Britain's best-known and best-loved actors, has died at the age of 97.
Mills starred in more than 100 films since the early 1930s including Great Expectations, War and Peace, and Ryan's Daughter - for which he won an Oscar.
He died at home in Denham, Buckinghamshire, on Saturday after a short illness.
He continued acting until recently despite bouts of ill-health. His only Oscar came in 1971.
Mills' career spanned scores of film, stage and television roles
Sir John, father of actress Hayley Mills, was one of the UK's most enduring stars.
He was made a CBE in 1960, knighted in 1976 and was given a special honour by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) in 2002.
Sir John was almost blind after his retinas in both eyes failed while he was touring with a one-man show in 1992.
In 2001, he cracked two ribs in a fall at his home and he spent time in hospital with a chest infection the following year.
His family are travelling from the United States and are expected to arrive by Monday.
There will be a funeral service for family and friends at St Mary's Church in Denham on Wednesday. A memorial service is expected to take place at the end of June.
Born in Felixstowe, Suffolk, Sir John studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and started his career on stage, where his talent was spotted by Noel Coward.
Sir John married Mary Bell, beginning the Mills acting dynasty
A 1929 appearance as Hamlet at the Old Vic Theatre in London established him as one of the most talented actors of his generation.
His role in Goodbye Mr Chips in 1939 first brought him to international stardom.
Patriotic roles in such films as Ice Cold in Alex, Above Us The Waves, Dunkirk, Scott of The Antarctic and Tunes of Glory brought him more accolades.
He also displayed a deft touch for whimsical comedy in an adaptation of H G Wells' novel, The History of Mr Polly, the BBC's Rebecca Jones said, and portraying a proud Northerner in The Family Way.
Despite his failing health, he continued taking small roles in a wide range of film projects - from Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet to Rowan Atkinson's comedy Bean.
'Never retire'
He played Man Taking Cocaine at Party in Stephen Fry's first film as director, Bright Young Things, in 2003, and his final role was as a tramp in short promotional film Lights2.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast With Frost in 2002, Sir John said he would never retire.
"It's something that I can hardly explain," he said. "It's such warmth greets me and I can even say the word love and I feel terrific, it's just wonderful."
When he got the Bafta honour in 2002, Lord Attenborough said: "Sir John is a uniquely dominant figure in the history of British cinema and he has been my closest friend for 60 years."
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__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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