Walter Kingsford (born Walter Pearce; 20 September 1881 – 7 February 1958) was an English stage, film, and television actor.

Walter Kingsford
Walter Kingsford in Calling Dr. Gillespie
Born
Walter Pearce

(1881-09-20)20 September 1881
Died7 February 1958(1958-02-07) (aged 76)
Resting placeGrand View Memorial Park Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1930–1958
Spouse(s)Winifred Hanley (m. 1905)
Alison Bradshaw (m. 1928; died 1950)
Children1

Early years

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Kingsford was born in Redhill, Surrey, England.

Career

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Kingsford began his acting career on the London stage. He also had a long Broadway career, appearing in plays from the 1912 original American production of George Bernard Shaw's Fanny's First Play to 1944's Song of Norway.

In the early 1920s, Kingford was active with the Henry Jewett Players.[1]

Kingsford moved to Hollywood, California, for a prolific film career in supporting parts. On screen, he specialised in portraying authority figures such as noblemen, heads of state, doctors, police inspectors and lawyers. He is best known for his recurring role as the snobbish hospital head Dr. P. Walter Carew in the popular Dr. Kildare (and Dr. Gillespie) film series.[2]

Kingsford had numerous television appearances in the 1950s. They included TV Reader's Digest,[3] Command Performance[4] and Science Fiction Theatre.[5]

Personal life

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Kingsford was married to actress Winifred Hanley. They had a son, Guy Kingsford.[1]

Kingsford died of a heart attack in Hollywood in 1958, aged 76.[2] He was cremated and his ashes scattered on the grounds of Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.[6][7]

Complete filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Cottage in Open for City's Poor". Boston Post. Boston, Massachusetts. 18 February 1921. p. 10. Retrieved 29 May 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ a b "Walter Kingsford Dies in Hollywood". Appleton Post-Crescent. Associated Press. 8 February 1958 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "(TV listing)". Independent. California, Long Beach. 31 May 1958. p. 22. Retrieved 29 May 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "(TV listing)". Independent Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. 28 September 1958. p. 143. Retrieved 29 May 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "(TV listing)". Independent. California, Long Beach. 13 November 1958. p. 31. Retrieved 29 May 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company. p. 104. ISBN 9780786409839.
  7. ^ Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company. p. 408. ISBN 9780786479924.
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