Felix Aylmer was born 21st February in 1889. He trained under the Victorian-era actress Rosina Filippi before securing his first professional engagement at the London Coliseum. During World War I he served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and resumed his stage career after the war ended.
He entered films in 1930 and stayed in them for the next 40 years, typically playing roles of offialdom - judges, solicitors, doctors, clerics or senior civil servants. Arguably his most memorable film appearance is that of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Laurence Olivier's Henry V (1944); he went on to play the Archbishop of Canterbury for the second time in the 1964 version of Becket. He is also well-known for his portrayal of Father Anselm in the television series Oh Brother! (1968 to 1970) and the sequel Oh Father! (1973).
Another typical role of his was as Dr Fredericks (see photos) in the Carol Reed’s 1940 film Night Train to Munich which starred Margaret Lockwood and Rex Harrison and co-starred Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne. He appeared alongside the Radford and Wayne in a second film, Quartet in 1948.
Some of the other films that he appeared include, The Iron Duke 1934, Jack of all Trades 1936, South Riding and Bank Holiday (both 1938), Girl in the News 1940, The Young Mr Pitt 1942, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp 1943, alongside Margaret Lockwood yet again in The Wicked Lady 1945, The Way To The Stars 1945, The October Man 1947, Hamlet 1948, Ivanhoe 1952, The Master of Ballantrae 1953, playing the role of Merlin in Knights of the Round Table 1953, Anastasia 1956. The Two Headed Spy 1958 and The Mummy 1959.
In addition to his film career, the well-respected actor appeared in many TV productions including episodes of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Walrus and the Carpenter, Jason King.
He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1950 King's Birthday Honours and knighted in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours. He died in 1979.
He entered films in 1930 and stayed in them for the next 40 years, typically playing roles of offialdom - judges, solicitors, doctors, clerics or senior civil servants. Arguably his most memorable film appearance is that of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Laurence Olivier's Henry V (1944); he went on to play the Archbishop of Canterbury for the second time in the 1964 version of Becket. He is also well-known for his portrayal of Father Anselm in the television series Oh Brother! (1968 to 1970) and the sequel Oh Father! (1973).
Another typical role of his was as Dr Fredericks (see photos) in the Carol Reed’s 1940 film Night Train to Munich which starred Margaret Lockwood and Rex Harrison and co-starred Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne. He appeared alongside the Radford and Wayne in a second film, Quartet in 1948.
Some of the other films that he appeared include, The Iron Duke 1934, Jack of all Trades 1936, South Riding and Bank Holiday (both 1938), Girl in the News 1940, The Young Mr Pitt 1942, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp 1943, alongside Margaret Lockwood yet again in The Wicked Lady 1945, The Way To The Stars 1945, The October Man 1947, Hamlet 1948, Ivanhoe 1952, The Master of Ballantrae 1953, playing the role of Merlin in Knights of the Round Table 1953, Anastasia 1956. The Two Headed Spy 1958 and The Mummy 1959.
In addition to his film career, the well-respected actor appeared in many TV productions including episodes of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Walrus and the Carpenter, Jason King.
He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1950 King's Birthday Honours and knighted in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours. He died in 1979.
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