John Mills

Born: 22 February 1908
Where: Felixstowe, Suffolk

Sir John Mills was knighted in 1976 for his achievements in a seven-decade film career.

The actor, who won an Oscar for Ryan's Daughter, has starred in more than 100 films.

Sir John has appeared in numerous classics including Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939), Great Expectations (1946) and pro-allied films such as In Which We Serve (1942) and We Dive at Dawn (1943).

Since winning the best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1971, he has continued to work, despite losing most of his sight in 1990.

One of his most memorable later performances was as the viceroy in the 1982 film Gandhi. More recently, he appeared in Kenneth Branagh's acclaimed Hamlet in 1996.

He renewed his wedding vows to wife Mary in January 2001. When they had wed 60 years earlier, he was denied a church service because he was serving in the Army during World War II.

He and Mary have three children, actresses Hayley and Juliet Mills, and son Jonathan. His grandson is Crispian Mills, lead singer of Kula Shaker.