Oliver Johnston

Oliver Johnston was an English actor who trained at RADA, with early stage work including the original Malvern production of The Barretts of Wimpole Street in 1930 and its West End run from 1930 to 1932. He began his film career in 1938 and worked until shortly before his death, appearing in nearly 90 film and television productions, often in supporting roles as meek or mild-mannered characters. His screen career gained more attention after Charlie Chaplin discovered him when he was close to 70; he was perhaps best remembered for playing the faithful ambassador and solemn straight man to Chaplin's king in A King in New York (1957). More film offers followed, including Kidnapped (1960), The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963), The Tomb of Ligeia (1964) and It! (1967). In Chaplin's final film, A Countess from Hong Kong (1967), released after Johnston's death, he played an elderly British businessman in Hong Kong who introduced Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren.