Reginald Owen

A versatile British character actor, Reginald Owen stayed very busy during a career with amazing longevity. A student at Sir Herbert Tree's Academy of Dramatic Arts, he made his professional stage debut in 1905. He earned his first film credit in the 1911 short "Henry VIII" before coming to America to appear on-stage and in films. One of his earliest roles was in the Jean Harlow vehicle "Platinum Blonde" in 1931, and he assumed the classic role Dr. Watson in the 1932 version of "Sherlock Holmes." A year later, he played Holmes himself in "A Study in Scarlet." One of the most important roles of his career came about because of Lionel Barrymore's broken hip; slated to play Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol," the legendary Barrymore yield the role after his injury. Owen took over successfully, achieving notoriety for his portrayal in the 1938 film. He also excelled at playing historical figures, portraying King Louis XV, Emperor Franz Josef, and Thomas Cromwell, among others. His film roles continued in the '40s and '50s, as he played Treville in "The Three Musketeers," Foley in the Academy Award-winning wartime classic "Mrs. Miniver," and Clayton in the Hepburn/Tracy romantic comedy "Woman of the Year." Owen successfully made the transition to the television era and, finding guest roles on shows like "Bewitched" and, in one of his final credits, detective show "McCloud." He also played Admiral Boom in the 1964 musical "Mary Poppins."