What's After the Movie
Cecil Kellaway
Cecil Kellaway was born Cecil Lauriston Kellaway on 22 August 1890 in Cape Town, then part of the Cape Colony, to English parents Rebecca Annie (née Brebner) and Edwin John Kellaway, an architect‑engineer who had come to South Africa to work on the new Houses of Parliament. His godfather was the famed mining magnate Cecil Rhodes, after whom he was named, and his early education took place at the Normal College in Cape Town and later at Bradford Grammar School in England. Although he initially trained as an engineer and worked for an electrical firm, the lure of the stage proved irresistible, and he made his professional debut in the comedy Potash and Perlmutter before serving briefly in the army in 1914. After the war he returned to acting, touring Asia and Africa in productions such as Monsieur Beaucaire, and in 1919 married 17‑year‑old Doreen Elizabeth Joubert in Johannesburg, with whom he would later have two sons. In 1921 Kellaway arrived in Australia under contract to J. C. Williamson Ltd., where he became a beloved comic father figure in the musical A Night Out and enjoyed a sixteen‑year association with Australian theatre, appearing in a string of successful shows from The Cabaret Girl to Waltzes from Vienna. His film debut came with the Australian comedy The Hayseeds (1933) and the Cinesound hit It Isn't Done (1937), which he also wrote, catching the eye of RKO Pictures. Moving to Hollywood, Kellaway initially took small supporting parts but soon earned larger roles in classics such as Wuthering Heights (1939) and The Letter (1940). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, first for The Luck of the Irish (1948) and later for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), demonstrating his enduring appeal. In 1954 he became an American citizen, adding to his South African and British nationalities, and continued to work prolifically in film, television and on Broadway well into his eighties, famously appearing as a kindly professor in The Shaggy Dog (1959) and as the dignified Monsignor Mike Ryan in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. His career spanned over five decades, showcasing a versatile talent for playing affable, often slightly befuddled patriarchs, and leaving an indelible mark on both Australian and American screen history.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Cecil Kellaway, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Cecil Kellaway rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Cecil Lauriston Kellaway
Born: Cape Town, Cape Colony (now South Africa)
Citizenship: South African, British, American
Birthday: August 22, 1890
Occupations: actor, screenwriter
Years Active: 1921-1972
Children: 2
Spouses: Doreen Elizabeth Joubert
External Links and Streaming Options
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Awards and Nominations Received by Cecil Kellaway
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Cecil Kellaway has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Movies Featuring Cecil Kellaway
Intermezzo: A Love Story
The Postman Always Rings Twice
The Shaggy Dog
Getting Straight
The Reformer and the Redhead
The Mummy’s Hand
Young Bess
Harvey
Unconquered
And Now Tomorrow
Half Angel
Take a Letter, Darling
The Prodigal
Interrupted Melody
Spinout
The House of the Seven Gables
Zotz!
The Letter
Phantom Raiders
The Night of January 16th
The Invisible Man Returns
Fitzwilly
Mrs. Parkington
Kitty
Variety Girl
Star Spangled Rhythm
Always Together
Easy to Wed
I Married a Witch
The Lady Has Plans
Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte
South of Suez
Portrait of Jennie
Francis Goes to the Races
The Proud Rebel
The Mummy’s Tomb
Paris Model
Tammy Tell Me True
Down to the Sea in Ships
Wuthering Heights
Joan of Arc
Thunder in the East
Lady with Red Hair
Monsieur Beaucaire
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
Mexican Spitfire Out West
Blond Cheat
Night Spot
This Marriage Business
Law of the Underworld
It Ain’t Hay
The Sun Never Sets
Brother Orchid
The Private Lives of Adam and Eve
My Wife’s Best Friend
The Crystal Ball
Birth of the Blues
Man About Town
Destination Space
Gunga Din
New York Town
Female on the Beach
Double Danger
Maid’s Night Out
Everybody’s Doing It
The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin
Francis of Assisi
Practically Yours
Katie Did It
The Luck of the Irish
Love Letters
Forever and a Day
Tarnished Angel
Appointment for Love
Frenchman’s Creek
Wise Girl
Mexican Spitfire
The Cardinal
Smashing the Rackets
Kim
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Cecil Kellaway, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1950
The Reformer and the Redhead
Kevin Maguire
Harvey
Dr. Chumley
Katie Did It
Nathaniel B. Wakely VI
Kim
Hurree Chunder
1948
Portrait of Jennie
Matthews
Joan of Arc
Jean le Maistre, Inquisitor of Rouen
The Luck of the Irish
Horace (A Leprechaun)
1944
And Now Tomorrow
Doctor Weeks
Mrs. Parkington
Edward VII, Prince of Wales
Practically Yours
Marvin P. Meglin
Frenchman’s Creek
William
1942
Take a Letter, Darling
Uncle George
Star Spangled Rhythm
Cecil Kellaway (uncredited)
I Married a Witch
Daniel
The Lady Has Plans
Peter Miles
The Mummy’s Tomb
Solvani (archive footage / uncredited)
1941
The Night of January 16th
Oscar, the Drunk
Birth of the Blues
Granet
New York Town
Shipboard Host
Appointment for Love
O'Leary
1940
The Mummy’s Hand
The Great Solvani
The House of the Seven Gables
Philip Barton
The Letter
Prescott
Phantom Raiders
Franklin Morris
The Invisible Man Returns
Inspector Sampson
South of Suez
Henry Putnam
Lady with Red Hair
Mr. Chapman
Mexican Spitfire Out West
Mr. Chumley
Brother Orchid
Brother Goodwin
Mexican Spitfire
Mr. Chumley
1939
Intermezzo: A Love Story
Wuthering Heights
Earnshaw
The Sun Never Sets
Colonial Official
Man About Town
Headwaiter (uncredited)
Gunga Din
Mr. Stebbins (uncredited)
1938
Blond Cheat
Rufus Trent
Night Spot
Willard Lorryweather
This Marriage Business
Police Chief Hardy
Law of the Underworld
Phillips - Gene's Butler
Double Danger
Fentriss, aka Gilhooley
Maid’s Night Out
Geoffrey
Everybody’s Doing It
Mr. Beyers
Tarnished Angel
Reginald Roland
Smashing the Rackets
Barrett
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