Reginald Gardiner
| Reginald Gardiner | |
|---|---|
from the trailer of the film Sweethearts (1938)
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| Born |
William Reginald Gardiner 27 February 1903 London, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | 7 July 1980 (aged 77) Westwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1927–1968 |
| Spouse(s) | Wyn Richmond (?–?) (divorced) Nadia Petrova (1942–80) (his death) |
| Children | 1 child |
Reginald Gardiner (27 February 1903 – 7 July 1980) was an English-born actor on the stage, in films and television.
Gardiner was born in Wimbledon, England, and he was a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His parents wanted him to be an architect, but he insisted on a career as an actor.
Gardiner started as a super on stage and eventually became well known on the West End stage. "He appeared in British revues, plays, and films before delighting Broadway audiences in 1935 with a wallpaper imitation act in At Home Abroad." His other Broadway credits include Little Glass Clock and An Evening with Beatrice Lillie.
He was also well known to wireless listeners and was known on air for his amusing train and car noises.
Gardiner worked in almost 100 movies. He started film work in crowd scenes, making his big film break in 1926 in the silent film The Lodger, by Alfred Hitchcock.
His Hollywood film debut came in 1936. During his career, he was cast in numerous roles, often as a British butler. One of his most famous roles was that of Schultz in Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator. He also performed memorable turns as Beverly Carlton (a parody of Noel Coward) in The Man Who Came to Dinner, the spurned "almost-husband" in The Doctor Takes a Wife and Christmas in Connecticut.
On 4 October 1956, Gardiner appeared with Greer Garson as the first two guest stars in the series premiere of NBC's The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford. He made other guest appearances on television sitcoms of the 1960s, including Fess Parker's ABC series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Stanley Holloway's Our Man Higgins. He also appeared in the 1964 Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Ugly Duckling," as business owner Albert Charity, and in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents ("Banquo's Chair"). His last major role was alongside Phyllis Diller in her 1966-1967 ABC series, The Pruitts of Southampton. Also in 1967 he made a guest appearance on Petticoat Junction, in the episode "Uncle Joe and the Master Plan", as Gaylord Martindale.
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