James Mason

Born: May 15 1909
Where: Huddersfield, UK
Died: July 27 1985

Carol Reed's 1947 thriller Odd Man Out catapulted the brooding actor to becoming Britain's biggest star of his time.

Highpoints of a career that never reached its full potential included 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, North by Northwest and The Verdict.

The son of a wealthy merchant, Mason decided he could make more money on the stage than designing buildings.

He first appeared onscreen in British "quota quickies" and caused a sensation as a sadistic aristocrat in the 1943 costume drama The Man in Grey.

After another triumphant appearance in Reed's Odd Man Out led him to moving to Hollywood.

Although Southern California softened his rougher edges, he soon reaffirmed his niche as an urbane matinee idol with a dark side.

This persona was exploited to international success in the Cukor-Garland remake of A Star Is Born, with Mason playing complex, Barrymore-style monster Norman Maine (a role which Cary Grant had turned down).

Though gifted with a distinctive, beautiful speaking voice, Mason nevertheless had trouble finding the kind of quality roles he deserved.

His filmography is generally undistinguished, but contains several gems, including: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as the obsessed Captain Nemo; Hitchcock's North by Northwest, this time opposite Cary Grant and Stanley Kubrick's Lolita in 1962.

Other notable appearances were the Harold Pinter-scripted The Pumpkin Eater and Georgy Girl as the aging roue in pursuit of Lynn Redgrave.

Mason received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role in 1982's The Verdict.

At one time married to actress (and later columnist and TV host) Pamela Mason, he was the father of actress-author Portland Mason and producer Morgan Mason.

He died in Lausanne, Switzerland.