Robert Dorning
Biography
Robert Dorning was an English actor, musician, dance band vocalist and ballet dancer whose many television and film productions spanned 1940 to 1988. Born in St Helens, Lancashire, he studied drama and dance in Liverpool and worked briefly as a musical comedian in theater before taking up acting. His first known film role came in They Came by Night (1940), and after World War II service in the RAF he used his ballet training as a dancer in The Red Shoes (1948). He had supporting parts in 1950s films, including The One That Got Away (1957), and later appeared in Fanatic (1965), Cul-De-Sac (1966), Evil Under the Sun (1982) and Mona Lisa (1986). Television was his more prolific field, from Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son to Mind Your Language, where he played Mr English. He died in 1989.
75years old at death
- Born St Helens
- Died London
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 21 years1965 to 1986
First and latest
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A role that slipped away
Robert Dorning was originally cast as Sergeant Wilson in Dad's Army, with Jon Pertwee as Captain Mainwaring, but the roles went to John Le Mesurier and Arthur Lowe instead.
Getting ready for a role
After he was demobbed, Robert Dorning used his ballet dancing talents when he was given a dancer's part in The Red Shoes, a 1948 film.
Early training
Dorning went to Liverpool after finishing school, where he trained in both drama and dance. His goal at the time was to become a ballet dancer.
Robert Dorning movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Robert Dorning made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Michael Caine's page
Donald Sutherland's page
Donald Pleasence's page
James Mason's page
Roddy McDowall's page
Bob Hoskins's page
All films by Roman Polanski
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.