Roddy McDowall

Roddy McDowall was a British and American actor who began his career as a child in England, and then moved to the United States during World War II. He appeared in many films, such as How Green Was My Valley, Lassie Come Home, My Friend Flicka, Cleopatra, The Longest Day, The Poseidon Adventure, and the Planet of the Apes series. He also worked in television, theatre, and voice acting. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role as Octavian in Cleopatra, and won an Emmy Award for his role as Arthur Vincenti in A War of Children. He also received a Tony Award for his performance in The Fighting Cock. McDowall was also a photographer and a film historian. He published several books of his own photographs, featuring portraits of his friends and colleagues in the film industry. He also collected and preserved many films and memorabilia, and served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the National Film Preservation Board. He was a generous supporter of various charities related to film preservation and animal welfare. He died of lung cancer at his home in Studio City, California, at the age of 70. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea. He never married and had no children. He was survived by his sister, Virginia McDowall. He is remembered as one of the most versatile and beloved actors of his generation.