Cecil Kellaway
| Cecil Kellaway | |
|---|---|
from the trailer for
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) |
|
| Born |
Cecil Lawriston Kellaway 22 August 1890 Cape Town, Cape Colony (present-day Cape Town, South Africa) |
| Died | 28 February 1973 (aged 82) West Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1921–1972 |
| Spouse(s) | Doreen Elizabeth Joubert (m. 1919–1973; his death); 2 sons |
| Children | Peter Kellaway, Bryan Kellaway |
Cecil Lawriston Kellaway (22 August 1890 – 28 February 1973) was a South African character actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for both The Luck of the Irish (1948) and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967).
Cecil Kellaway was born on 22 August 1890 in Cape Town, South Africa. He was the son of English parents, Edwin John Kellaway, an architect and engineer, and his wife Rebecca Annie, née Brebner. Edwin Kellaway had come to South Africa to help build the Houses of Parliament and was a good friend of Cecil Rhodes, who was Cecil's godfather.
He was interested in acting from an early age. He was educated at the Normal College, Cape Town, and in England at Bradford Grammar School. He studied engineering and on his return to South Africa was employed in an engineering firm. However the lure of acting was too strong and he became a full-time actor, making his debut in Potash and Perlmutter.
He briefly served in the army in 1914 but was invalided out.
He toured for three years through China, Japan, Siam, Borneo, Malaya, North and South Africa, and Europe.
Kellaway arrived in Australia in 1921 under contract to J. C. Williamson Ltd. He had a notable success as the comic father of four daughters in A Night Out which he played in 1922, 1924, 1926, and 1931. He acted for Williamsons over sixteen years, mostly in musical comedies.
Kellaway made his film debut in the lead of The Hayseeds (1933), a popular local comedy.
After receiving acclaim for his main role in the Australian Cinesound film It Isn't Done (1937), for which he also provided the original story, he was screen-tested by RKO Pictures and put under contract.
Kellaway returned to Australia for a second Cinesound film, Mr. Chedworth Steps Out (1938).
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