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Leo Genn | |
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![]() Genn at the 24th Academy Awards in 1952 | |
Born | Leopold John Genn 9 August 1905 Stamford Hill, London, England |
Died | 26 January 1978 London, England | (aged 72)
Alma mater | St Catharine's College, Cambridge |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1935–1975 |
Spouse |
Marguerite van Praag
(m. 1933) |
Military career | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Unit | Royal Artillery |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Leopold John Genn (/ɡɛn/ GHEN; 9 August 1905 – 26 January 1978) was an English actor and barrister. Distinguished by his relaxed charm and smooth, "black velvet" voice,[1] he had a lengthy career in theatre, film, television, and radio; often playing aristocratic or gentlemanly, sophisticate roles.[1]
Born to a Jewish family in London, Genn was educated as a lawyer and was a practising barrister until after World War II, in which he had served in the Royal Artillery as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He began his acting career at The Old Vic and made his film debut in 1935, starring in a total of 85 screen roles until his death in 1978. For his portrayal of Petronius in the 1951 Hollywood epic Quo Vadis, he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.