One of the oldest actors on the screen in the 1920s and 1930s, George Arliss starred on the London stage from an early age. He came to the United States and starred in several films, but it was his role as British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in Disraeli (1929) that brought him his greatest success.
Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.
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[In 1940] The beauty of Hollywood is due entirely to the hand of man. For once man has not brought destruction, but grace and charm where there was nothing but waste.
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The talking picture is like a dress rehearsal in the theatre. It never gets those moments of inspiration when an audience lifts an actor out of himself. So I say that no player in pictures can ever be seen at his best.
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[from his autobiography] Harry M. Warner told me that when he decided to do Disraeli (1929) he did not expect it to pay but he was using me as an expensive bait to hook people into the cinema who had never gone before.
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Fact
1
On January 2, 1911, he made his first appearance in the play "Disraeli.".
2
Wrote several plays.
3
His father, William Arliss-Andrews, was a London printer and publisher.
4
He was the earliest born actor to receive an Academy Award. He won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in Disraeli (1929).
After playing the real-life Mayer and Nathan Rothschild in the drama The House of Rothschild (1934), he played the fictional Francois Rothschild in the comedy Mister Hobo (1935) the following year.
7
Holds the distinction of both playing The Duke of Wellington (in The Iron Duke (1934)) and starring in another film alongside another actor playing him (C. Aubrey Smith in The House of Rothschild (1934)), both in the same year.
8
Best-known for his Oscar-winning portrayal of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who was in office on the day he was born, in London on 10th April 1868.
9
The first actor to win an Oscar for a reprise role. Arliss originally played Benjamin Disraeli in the silent movie, Disraeli (1921). He won the Oscar for his reprisal of the role in the talkie remake, Disraeli (1929).
10
The first actor to win an Academy Award for playing a real person, as British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in Disraeli (1929).
Prime Minister of Great Britain (as Mr. George Arliss)
Mister Hobo
1935
François Rothschild aka The Guv'nor
Cardinal Richelieu
1935
Cardinal Richelieu
The Iron Duke
1934
Duke of Wellington
The Last Gentleman
1934
Cabot Barr
The House of Rothschild
1934
Mayer Rothschild
Nathan Rothschild
Voltaire
1933
Voltaire
The Working Man
1933
John Reeves
The King's Vacation
1933
King Phillip
A Successful Calamity
1932
Henry Wilton
The Man Who Played God
1932
Montgomery Royle (as Mr. George Arliss)
Alexander Hamilton
1931
Alexander Hamilton
The Millionaire
1931
James Alden
Old English
1930
Heythorp
The Green Goddess
1930
The Raja
Disraeli
1929
Disraeli
Twenty Dollars a Week
1924
John Reeves
The Green Goddess
1923
Rajah of Rukh
The Man Who Played God
1922
Montgomery Royle
The Ruling Passion
1922
James Alden
Disraeli
1921
Benjamin Disraeli
The Devil
1921
Dr. Muller
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The House of Rothschild
1934
contributing writer - uncredited
Alexander Hamilton
1931
by
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Man Who Played God
1932
performer: "Fantaisie-Impromptu in C Sharp Minor, Op.66" 1834, "Sonata No.14 in C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight'" 1802, "Onward Christian Soldiers" 1871 - uncredited
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Starland Review
1922
Documentary short
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
American Masters
2008
TV Series documentary
Benjamin Disraeli / Montgomery Royle
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself as Montgomery Royle
Biography
1995
TV Series documentary
Actor 'House of Rothschild'
Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984
Documentary
Himself
Arena
1983
TV Series documentary
Hollywood: The Great Stars
1963
TV Movie documentary
Actor 'The Man Who Played God' (uncredited)
The Naughty Twenties
1951
Documentary short
The Raja
The Voice That Thrilled the World
1943
Short
Himself (segment "Disreali") (uncredited)
Der ewige Jude
1940
Documentary
Mayer Rothschild (uncredited)
The Cavalcade of Academy Awards from 1928-1939
1940
Documentary short
Land of Liberty
1939
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1960
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Motion Picture
On 8 February 1960. At 6648-1/2 Hollywood Blvd.
1930
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Disraeli (1929)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1930
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Actor in a Leading Role
The Green Goddess (1930)
Known for movies
Disraeli (1929) as Disraeli
The House of Rothschild (1934) as Mayer Rothschild / Nathan Rothschild
$1.1 Million
