It has been 40 years since David Niven’s death.
Actor David Niven in 1981. PDO
Actor David Niven was one of Britain’s most loved actors. Niven, who died 40 years ago, became tragically ill, which at first confused the man’s fans around the world.
Niven slowly progressed from extra to leading roles. Soon he had prominent roles John Ford’s in the movie Hidden dangers and of William Wyler In the humming ridge.
When Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, Niven decided to return to Europe against the embassy’s advice and fight. The career started properly again by Michael Powell and with Emeric Pressburger’s classic A matter of life and deathwhich tells the story of a wartime pilot who survived a mistake made by the afterlife.
Kim Hunter (left) and David Niven were seen in the British classic A Question of Life and Death. PDO
In the 1950s, Niven’s career took new turns. Especially the role as Phileas Fogg in the movie Around the world in 80 days brought the actor to light. The film, which premiered in 1956, was awarded, among other things, the Oscar for best film.
David Niven was awarded an Oscar for the film Different Tables. PDO
Niven himself won an Oscar for the drama that premiered in 1958 At different tables.
Don’t Eat Daisies also featured Doris Day. PDO
The success continued in favorite movies 13th wedding day, Don’t eat daisies and Navarone cannons.
Navarone’s cannons is one of the most successful war films of its time. PDO
When Blake Edwards and Maurice Richlin created that premiered 60 years ago The pink pantherit was just another crime comedy that spawned many movies and a popular animated series.
The master of comedy was seen in the lead role of many films Peter Sellers, but that wasn’t the original plan. In fact, the first film featured Niven in the lead role, and Inspector Jacques Clouseau, made famous by Sellers, was only a side character.
Closeau was such a popular character that Sellers’ role was expanded and eventually Niven played the diamond thief Charles Litton, who planned to steal the pink panther diamond, was overshadowed.
The Pink Panther premiered 60 years ago. Peter Sellers’ role grew over the course of the film. PDO
Few remember that Niven has also been seen in the role of James Bond. When in 1967 an unsuccessful Casino Royale -film, Niven played a secret agent. However, the film was not included in the official canon of 007 films because it was not produced by the Eon production company.
Disease
In his last television interviews in 1981, Niven spoke slurred. Viewers and acquaintances were worried – was the actor drunk or had a stroke? However, it was about ALS, which was still unknown at the time, i.e. motoneuron disease, which degenerates the motor nerves.
Niven withdrew from the public eye and was hospitalized for ten days in 1983. He did not want to return after the hospital period, so he remained in home care with the support of his family, where he died at the end of July at the age of 73.
Two years after Niven’s death, he was selected for a stamp celebrating British cinema. They were there in addition to him Charles ChaplinAlfred Hitchcock, Vivien Leigh and Peter Sellers.
David Niven’s face is familiar. PDO