Who was David Niven? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In March

Also Known As: James David Graham Niven, David Nivens, Niv

Died At Age: 73

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden, Primula Susan Rollo

father: William Edward Graham Niven

mother: Henriette Julia Degacher

siblings: Grizel Rosemary Graham Niven, Henry Degacher Niven, Margaret Joyce Niven

children: David Niven, Fiona Niven, Jamie Niven, Kristina Niven

Actors British Men

Died on: July 29, 1983

place of death: Château-d'Œx

City: London, England

More Facts

education: 1930 - Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Stowe School

Recommended For You

1

Was David Niven in the military?

Yes, David Niven served in the British Army during World War II, initially with the Rifle Brigade.
2

Did David Niven write any books?

Yes, David Niven wrote two autobiographies: "The Moon's a Balloon" and "Bring on the Empty Horses."
3

Did David Niven ever win an Oscar?

Yes, David Niven won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the film "Separate Tables" in 1959.
4

What was David Niven's most famous role?

One of David Niven's most famous roles was as Phileas Fogg in the film adaptation of Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days."
5

Was David Niven involved in any charity work?

Yes, David Niven was involved in various charitable activities, including supporting cancer research and children's charities.

Recommended Lists:

British Celebrities

Pisces Actors

British Actors

British Film & Theater Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

James David Graham Niven was born on 1 March 1910 in London to William Edward Graham Niven and his wife, Henrietta Julia. He had three older siblings. His father was an army man, as were both his grandfathers.

His father was killed during the World War I in 1915. His mother remarried Sir Thomas Comyn-Platt in 1917. It was rumored that his mother had been having an affair with Sir Thomas even before the death of her first husband. Some sources suggest that Sir Thomas may well have been David Niven's biological father.

David grew up to be a naughty boy who loved playing pranks. He was sent to the elite Heatherdown Preparatory School from where he was expelled due to his mischievous behavior.

He then went to Stowe School, following which he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He graduated in 1930 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the British Army.

Continue Reading Below

Career

David Niven was assigned to the Highland Light Infantry (HLI). He served with the HLI for more than two years but did not enjoy his job. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1933, but did not see a future for himself in the military. In addition, his rebellious streak was also causing problems in his career.

He quit the army and travelled to different places in search of a more interesting profession. After spending short terms in Bermuda and Cuba, he finally arrived in Hollywood in 1934.

He struggled a lot initially, though eventually he was able to find minor acting roles in films. In 1935, he was cast in ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ and his performance gained the attention of independent film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed him to a contract.

Over the next few years he appeared in several supporting roles in major films like ‘Rose-Marie’ (1936), ‘Dodsworth’ (1936), ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ (1936), and ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ (1937).

His reputation as a reliable and talented supporting actor led to leading roles in ‘The Dawn Patrol’ (1938), ‘Three Blind Mice’ (1938) and ‘Wuthering Heights’ (1939). A popular actor by now, he shared the screen with legendary performers like Errol Flynn, Loretta Young and Laurence Olivier.

Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, and Niven returned to his homeland to fight in what became the World War II. He was re-commissioned as a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade in 1940 and took part in the Invasion of Normandy. He ended the war as a lieutenant-colonel.

He resumed his acting career after the war and played the leading roles in highly successful films such as ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ (1946), ‘The Bishop's Wife’ (1947) and ‘Enchantment’ (1948).

His career flourished throughout the 1950s as well. In 1956, he starred as Phileas Fogg in producer Michael Todd's ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, and portrayed Major Pollock in ‘Separate Tables’ in 1958 for which he won an Academy Award.

The 1960s saw him acting in ‘The Guns of Navarone’ (1961), ‘The Pink Panther’ (1963), and ‘Where the Spies Are’ (1965). In 1967 he played the role of Sir James Bond 007, a legendary British spy, in ‘Casino Royale.’

Continue Reading Below

A highly active individual, he continued acting well into the 1970s even though he was aging by now. Some of his later movies were ‘Murder by Death’ (1976), ‘Death on the Nile’ (1978) and ‘The Sea Wolves’ (1980).

Major Works

David Niven played Major David Angus Pollock in the drama film ‘Separate Tables’ which also starred Rita Hayworth and Deborah Kerr. His role of an army man accused of sexually harassing several young women was well received by the audience and the film critics.

He portrayed Phileas Fogg, a refined and well-dressed Victorian gentleman, in the action adventure comedy film ‘Around the World in 80 Days.’ The movie was a critically acclaimed hit which won five Academy awards.

Awards & Achievements

He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 1953 for the film ‘The Moon Is Blue.’

In 1958, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Major Pollock in ‘Separate Tables.’

Personal Life & Legacy

He met and married Primula "Primmie" Susan Rollo in 1940. The happily married couple was blessed with two sons in quick succession. Tragedy struck the family when Primmie died in a freak accident in 1946.

A few years later he married Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden, a Swedish fashion model. The couple adopted two daughters, one of whom was rumored to be David’s secret love child with a teenage girl.

David Niven began suffering from health problems during the early 1980s. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1981 and after ailing for several months he died on 29 July 1983, at the age of 73.

Facts About David Niven

David Niven was known for his love of practical jokes and was a notorious prankster on film sets, often playing jokes on his fellow actors and crew members.

He served in the British Army during World War II and was one of the few actors to have actually seen combat, rising to the rank of Colonel.

Niven was a skilled horseman and enjoyed participating in equestrian sports, including polo and horse racing.

He was a talented writer and published several books, including his autobiography "The Moon's a Balloon" which became a bestseller.

Niven was a dedicated philanthropist and supported various charitable causes throughout his life, including serving as a UNICEF ambassador.

1959	Best Actor - Drama	Separate Tables (1958)
1954	Best Actor - Comedy or Musical	The Moon Is Blue (1953)

David Niven Biography

You wanted to know

Was David Niven in the military?

Did David Niven write any books?

Did David Niven ever win an Oscar?

What was David Niven's most famous role?

Was David Niven involved in any charity work?