Donald Houston

Biography

Donald Houston was a Welsh actor who went from the coal mines of south Wales to a long career as a character player in British film and television. Born in Clydach Vale near Tonypandy, he left school for work at a local colliery and performed with the Pilgrim Players in 1940, and after wartime service in the Royal Air Force he landed two highly successful pictures, The Blue Lagoon and A Run for Your Money, both released in 1949. He became known for authority figures, often military men, and his films included Doctor in the House (1954), 633 Squadron (1964), Where Eagles Dare (1968) and The Sea Wolves (1980). He also proved himself in comedy through the Doctor and Carry On series, among them Carry on Jack (1964) and Doctor in Distress.

67years old at death

Born November 6, 1923Tonypandy
Died October 13, 1991Coimbra
Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
Also credited as Donald Daniel Houston

Movie Career

Films: 12
Career span: 28 years1952 to 1980

Genres

Adventure42%, 5 films
War33%, 4 films
Action17%, 2 films
Comedy17%, 2 films
Drama17%, 2 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

A change of course
After school, Donald Houston took a job at a local colliery, then chose to pursue acting. He appeared on stage with the Pilgrim Players in 1940.
Languages
Houston's Welsh accent was something he would show at times, while at others he hid it with a Received Pronunciation voice. He often played authority figures, many of them military, including David Caulder, head of Moonbase 3, and Dr Francis in "Thirteen to Centaurus".

Donald Houston movies on Netflix

The Sea Wolves1980IMDb rating 6.3as Hilliard
Tales That Witness Madness1973IMDb rating 5.6as Sam Patterson (segment "Mr. Tiger")
Where Eagles Dare1968IMDb rating 7.6as Christiansen
The Viking Queen1967IMDb rating 5.1as Maelgan
A Study in Terror1965IMDb rating 6.5as Doctor Watson
633 Squadron1964IMDb rating 6.4as Group Capt. Don Barrett
Carry on Jack1964IMDb rating 5.9as First Officer Jonathan Howett
The 300 Spartans1962IMDb rating 6.5as Hydarnes
The Prince and the Pauper1962IMDb rating 6.3as John Canty
Room at the Top1958IMDb rating 7.5as Charles Soames
Doctor in the House1954IMDb rating 6.5as Taffy Evans
Crow Hollow1952IMDb rating 6.1as Robert

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Top

Where Eagles Dare1968 Action, Adventure, Waras Christiansen
IMDb rating 7.667K votes
Room at the Top1958 Drama, Romanceas Charles Soames
IMDb rating 7.58.3K votes
A Study in Terror1965as Doctor Watson
IMDb rating 6.52.9K votes
633 Squadron1964as Group Capt. Don Barrett
IMDb rating 6.45.1K votes
The 300 Spartans1962as Hydarnes
IMDb rating 6.58.3K votes
Tales That Witness Madness1973as Sam Patterson (segment "Mr. Tiger")
IMDb rating 5.62.5K votes
Carry on Jack1964as First Officer Jonathan Howett
IMDb rating 5.92.9K votes
The Viking Queen1967as Maelgan
IMDb rating 5.11.1K votes

Most often with

Don Chaffey directed two of these films. Percy Herbert appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Top

Percy Herbert

Geoffrey Keen

Niall MacGinnis

Laurence Naismith

Cecil Parker

Allan CuthbertsonDon ChaffeyDirector, 2 films

Films together

Percy Herbert3 films together, 1964 to 1980
Percy Herbert's page
- The Sea Wolves1980IMDb rating 6.3Houston as HilliardHerbert as Dennison
- The Viking Queen1967IMDb rating 5.1Houston as MaelganHerbert as Catus
- Carry on Jack1964IMDb rating 5.9Houston as First Officer Jonathan HowettHerbert as Mr. Angel, the Bos'un
Geoffrey Keen2 films together, 1954 to 1962
Geoffrey Keen's page
- The Prince and the Pauper1962IMDb rating 6.3Houston as John CantyKeen as Yokel
- Doctor in the House1954IMDb rating 6.5Houston as Taffy EvansKeen as Dean
Niall MacGinnis2 films together, 1962 to 1967
Niall MacGinnis's page
- The Viking Queen1967IMDb rating 5.1Houston as MaelganMacGinnis as Tiberian
- The Prince and the Pauper1962IMDb rating 6.3Houston as John CantyMacGinnis as Father Andrew
Laurence Naismith2 films together, 1962
Laurence Naismith's page
- The 300 Spartans1962IMDb rating 6.5Houston as HydarnesNaismith as First Delegate
- The Prince and the Pauper1962IMDb rating 6.3Houston as John CantyNaismith as Earl of Hertford
Cecil Parker2 films together, 1964 to 1965
Cecil Parker's page
- A Study in Terror1965IMDb rating 6.5Houston as Doctor WatsonParker as Prime Minister
- Carry on Jack1964IMDb rating 5.9Houston as First Officer Jonathan HowettParker as First Sealord
Allan Cuthbertson2 films together, 1958 to 1980
Allan Cuthbertson's page
- The Sea Wolves1980IMDb rating 6.3Houston as HilliardCuthbertson as Dickie Melborne
- Room at the Top1958IMDb rating 7.5Houston as Charles SoamesCuthbertson as George Aisgill
Don ChaffeyDirector, 2 films, 1962 to 1967
All films by Don Chaffey
- The Viking Queen1967IMDb rating 5.1Houston as Maelgan
- The Prince and the Pauper1962IMDb rating 6.3Houston as John Canty
Also two films together3 more actors
- Adrienne CorriThe Viking Queen (1967) and A Study in Terror (1965)
- Frank ForsythTales That Witness Madness (1973) and Carry on Jack (1964)
- Georgia BrownTales That Witness Madness (1973) and A Study in Terror (1965)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

Top