Edmund Gwenn

Born Edmund John Kellaway on September 26th, 1877 in London, England, to John and Catherine (Oliver) Kellaway, his brother, Arthur Chesney, was also a stage and screen actor as an adult (as was their cousin, Cecil Kellaway). In 1895, after attending King's College London, Edmund began learning his craft on the stage, playing comic roles in an acting company. After marrying Marguerite "Minnie Mary" Terry (1882 - 1964) =her aunt was Ellen Terry, a famous actress - so many actors! - in 1901 in London, he moved to Australia for three years, acting with another troupe - the J.C. Williamson Company. When the couple moved back to England, they acted together on the stage and in early films. World War I interrupted his promising career and he enlisted in the British Army, serving as an officer. He and Minnie were divorced during this time but they remained friends for life. After "the war to end all wars", Gwenn picked up his acting career without missing a beat, returning to the British stage. Then, in 1916, he moved more heavily into films, appearing in many British movies. His final British film role, as a capitalist trying to take over a family brewery in Cheer Boys Cheer (1939) is credited with being the first authentic Ealing comedy. His first appearance in an American film was as Katherine Hepburn's father in George Cukor's "Sylvia Scarlett" (1935). Settling into the "British Colony" in Hollywood in 1940, a string of memorable roles followed. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as "Santa Claus" in "Miracle on 34th Street" and a 2nd nomination for "Mister 88". Gwenn acted until the 1950's, staying in Hollywood and eventually buying a house in Beverly Hills (he shared the home with athlete Rodney Soher). He once told a reporter: "I never married again because I was very happy with my wife. I simply stayed faithful to the memory of that happiness." You can scroll down to read more about his life at Edmund Gwenn: Obituaryand more about his film and stage rolls at Edmund Gwenn: Professions.