Richard Todd

RICHARD TODD

British leading man who achieved some success in American films as well. Born in Ireland the son of a British officer, Todd grew up in Devon and attended Shrewsbury Public School. His interest in theatre led him to small roles in stock in England and Scotland, following which he helped found the Dundee Repertory Theatre in 1939. He served with distinction as a paratrooper in the Second World War and returned to considerably more prominent theatre roles, culminating in the role of Lachie in John Patrick's "The Hasty Heart, " in which he followed Richard Basehart in the Broadway production. He made his first film in 1948, and the next year was again cast as Lachie, this time in the film version of The Hasty Heart. His performance, a truly star-making and moving piece of work, earned him an Oscar nomination as Best Actor. He followed it with a role in Alfred Hitchcock's Stage Fright (1950), but although he continued to play leading roles, often in quite good films, he never again achieved the prominence and acclaim he had had with The Hasty Heart. He was quite effective in such roles as Robin Hood and Rob Roy, and very touching as Peter Marshall in A Man Called Peter (1955). Ultimately, however, his starring roles dwindled, but he continued as a stalwart character actor, primarily in British films.

A little known fact about Todd is that he served with Major John Howard during Operation Overlord on D-Day 6th June 1944, at Pegasus Bridge. Todd parachuted into Normandy and helped "hold until relieved" Todd later went on to star as Major Howard in the epic war movie "The Longest Day"

A PRIVATE SIGNING WITH RICHARD TODD

We recently had the pleasure of arranging a signing session with Richard Todd, held at his home in Lincolnshire. We had a number of superb items autographed and he was a most interesting and welcoming host. He really is a proper Gentleman and a genuine nice guy.