Esmond Knight

Esmond Penington Knight (4 May 1906 – 23 February 1987) was an English actor who established a successful stage and film career before World War II. During much of his later career, Knight was half-blind due to being wounded while on active service onboard HMS Prince of Wales during the Battle of the Denmark Strait in 1941. Despite his disability, he continued to act and regained some sight in his right eye later on. Knight's acting career spanned over half a century, starting with his breakthrough in the 1920s on stage. He played various roles in films and theatre and also served as a dialogue coach. His dedication to his career was eminent, as he continued to act even while completely blind and only stopped after regaining partial sight. His contributions to the British cinema are noteworthy, with roles in films such as 'Black Narcissus', 'The Red Shoes', and 'The River', amongst others. Apart from acting, Knight also served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, where he was gravely wounded, leading to his partial blindness. Despite his injuries, Knight continued his acting career with a determination that remained unmatched in the film industry.