Ivan Simpson
Ivan F. Simpson was a Scottish film and stage actor.
Life and career
Simpson was born on 8 February 1875 in Glasgow, Scotland, and went as a young man to New York City, where he worked for four decades on Broadway from 1906 until his death. In 1915 he started his film silent career and starred in notable silent films like The [Green Goddess (1923 film)|The Green Goddess] from 1923, where he played the role of Mister Watkins. He also replied in this role seven years later in the sound film version of The Green Goddess. In 1929 he portrayed Hugh Myers in Disraeli, where he played along his close friend George Arliss. Arliss and Simpson appeared together in a total of nine films.
Especially in the 1930s, Simpson was a successful character actor in supporting and bit parts and appeared in many classics. He often played servants, like in MGM's literature adaption David Copperfield as Littimer and the horror movie Mark of the Vampire. He also portrayed priests like in Little Lord Fauntleroy and Random Harvest, judges like in This Land Is Mine or doctors like in They All Kissed the Bride. Simpson was also a frequent actor in the Errol Flynn movies, he appeared in The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Prince and the Pauper and Captain Blood.
Selected filmography
The Dictator – SimpsonOut of the Drifts – MartinThe Man Who Played God – BattleThe Green Goddess – WatkinsTwenty-One – Mr. WillisTwenty Dollars a Week – James PettisonMiss Bluebeard – BoundsWild, Wild Susan – MalcolmLovers in Quarantine – The Silent PassengerA Kiss for Cinderella – Mr. CutawayWomanhandled – Butler Disraeli – Sir Hugh Myers Evidence – PeabodyThe Green Goddess – WatkinsIsle of Escape – JudgeGolden Dawn – Minor Role Inside the Lines – CapperManslaughter – MorsonOld English – Joe PillinThe Way of All Men – HigginsThe Sea God – Pearly NickThe Lady Who Dared – ButlerThe Millionaire – DavisThe Reckless Hour – Stevens – Adams' Butler Safe in Hell – CrunchThe Man Who Played God – BattleA Passport to Hell – SimmsThe Crash – HodgeThe Phantom of Crestwood – Mr. VayneSherlock Holmes – FaulknerThe Monkey's Paw – Mr. WhiteThe Past of Mary Holmes – Jacob RiggsThe Secret of Madame Blanche – Aubrey's Lawyer The Silk Express – Johnson, Kilgore's SecretaryMidnight Mary – TindleVoltaire – Lelain – Actor Blind Adventure – Perkins—Butler Charlie Chan's Greatest Case – BradeHer Secret – LathropMan of Two Worlds – Dr. LottThe Mystery of Mr. X – HutchinsonThe House of Rothschild – Amschel RothschildMurder in Trinidad – First Doctor Stingaree – Man with Beard The World Moves On – ClumberBritish Agent – Poohbah EvansAmong the Missing – SmeedThe Little Minister – Sanders Webster David Copperfield – LittimerShadow of Doubt – MorseMark of the Vampire – JanThe Bishop Misbehaves – Mr. GranthamMutiny on the Bounty – MorganSplendor – FletcherEast of Java – Resident The Great Impersonation – Dr. HarrisonCaptain Blood – ProsecutorLittle Lord Fauntleroy – Rev. MordauntTrouble for Two – CollinsMary of Scotland – JudgeLloyd's of London – Old ManMaid of Salem – Rev. ParrisThe Prince and the Pauper – ClemensNight of Mystery – SprootLondon by Night – BurroughsYouth on Parole – Minor Role 45 Fathers – Chamberlain The Baroness and the Butler – Count DormoInvisible Enemy – MichaelThe Adventures of Robin Hood – Proprietor of Kent Road TavernKidnapped – Old Man Marie Antoinette – Sauce Booloo – 1st GovernorMade for Each Other – Simon – Judge Doolittle's Brother Never Say Die – KretskyThe Sun Never Sets – A Doctor The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Gates – Trial Prosecutor Rulers of the Sea – Secretary Tower of London – Anne's Protector The Earl of Chicago – Hargraves The Invisible Man Returns – Mr. Cotton New Moon – GuizotThe Body Disappears – Dean ClaxtonNazi Agent – Professor SterlingThe Male Animal – Dean Frederick DamonThey All Kissed the Bride – Dr. CassellEagle Squadron – Simms Youth on Parade – Dean WhartonNightmare – Arnold – Money ChangerRandom Harvest – The VicarMy Kingdom for a Cook – DexterTwo Weeks to Live – Professor Albert FrisbyThis Land Is Mine – JudgeAbove Suspicion – Porter in Oxford My Kingdom for a Cook – Professor HarlowGovernment Girl – Judge Leonard Jane Eyre – Mr. Woods – the Minister The Uninvited – Will Hardy – Tobacconist The Hour Before the Dawn – Magistrate My Girl Tisa – Old Man