What's After the Movie
Bernard Lee
John Bernard Lee, known as Bernard Lee, is best remembered for his role as M in the first eleven Eon-produced James Bond films. His acting legacy traverses the years from 1934 to 1979, starting his career on stage at the tender age of six. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he appeared in over a hundred films, stage plays, and television serials. He was highly recognized for portraying authoritative roles, often depicted as military characters or policemen in such films as 'The Third Man', 'The Blue Lamp', 'The Battle of the River Plate', and 'Whistle Down the Wind'. Despite his professional setback between 1940 to 1946 due to his military service during the Second World War, he managed to act in several films released between 1939 and 1943. A personal tragedy in 1972, the loss of his first wife in a house fire, sent Lee into a depressive and financially destabilizing period. A kind act from Richard Burton, who he happened to meet in a pub, helped him recover and return to his acting career. He continued working until 1979, in roles which included reprising his famed characterization of M for the James Bond films. He died from stomach cancer in 1981.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Bernard Lee, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Bernard Lee rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: John Bernard Lee
Born: Brentford, Middlesex, England
Citizenship: British
Birthday: January 10, 1908
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1924-1979
Children: 1
Spouses: Gladys Merredew, Ursula McHale
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Bernard Lee
The Third Man
Dr. No
You Only Live Twice
Best Ever Bond
Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective
He Said, She Said
Sailor of the King
Father Brown
Murrain
Percy’s Progress
The New Lot
Dulcima
Cage of Gold
Gift Horse
The Ship That Died of Shame
A Christmas Carol
The Yellow Balloon
The Purple Plain
Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors
Fortune in Diamonds
The Secret Partner
The Battle of the River Plate
Spare a Copper
The Share Out
A Place to Go
Last Holiday
The Angry Silence
Crossplot
White Corridors
Fire Down Below
High Flight
Elizabeth of Ladymead
Appointment with Venus
The Man Upstairs
Clue of the Silver Key
Out of the Clouds
The Spanish Gardener
Mr. Denning Drives North
Rhodes of Africa
Odette
Morning Departure
Partners in Crime
The Blue Lamp
Saturday Night Out
Web of Evidence
Cone of Silence
Ring of Spies
Kidnapped
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
The Incredible World of James Bond
Dunkirk
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Danger Within
The Terror
Quartet
Beat the Devil
Death Becomes Me
Sink the Bismarck!
Murder in Soho
Clue of the Twisted Candle
The Fallen Idol
Operation Kid Brother
The Courtneys of Curzon Street
Beauty and the Beast
The Raging Moon
Whistle Down the Wind
The Key
Nowhere to Go
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Bernard Lee, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1965
Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors
Hopkins (segment 2 "Creeping Vine")
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
Patmore
The Incredible World of James Bond
Bernard Lee: M (Vice Admiral Sir Miles Messervy KCMG)
1961
The Secret Partner
D.S. Frank Hanbury
Clue of the Silver Key
Superintendent Meredith
Partners in Crime
Inspector Mann
Whistle Down the Wind
Mr. Bostock
1960
The Angry Silence
Bert Connolly
Cone of Silence
Capt. George Gort
Kidnapped
Captain Hoseason
Sink the Bismarck!
Firing Officer (uncredited)
Clue of the Twisted Candle
Superintendent Meredith
1958
The Man Upstairs
Inspector Thompson
Dunkirk
Charles Foreman
The Key
Cmdr. Wadlow
Nowhere to Go
Victor Sloane, alias Lee Henderson
1956
The Battle of the River Plate
Captain Dove - M.S. Africa Shell
The Spanish Gardener
Leighton Bailey
1953
Sailor of the King
Petty Officer 'Stokes' Wheatley
The Yellow Balloon
Constable Chapman
Beat the Devil
Insp. Jack Clayton
1951
Fortune in Diamonds
O'Connell
White Corridors
Burgess
Appointment with Venus
Brigadier
Mr. Denning Drives North
Inspector Dodds
1950
Cage of Gold
Inspector Grey
Last Holiday
Inspector Wilton
Odette
Jack
Morning Departure
Cmdr. Gates
The Blue Lamp
Divisional Detective Inspector Cherry
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