Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ivan F. Simpson (8 February 1875 – 12 October 1951) was a Scottish film and stage actor. Ivan Simpson was born in Scotland and went as a young man to New York City, where he worked for four decades on Broadway from 1906 until his death. In 1915 he started his film silent career and starred in notable silent films like The Green Goddess from 1923, where he played the role of Mister Watkins. He also replied in this role seven years later in the sound film version of The Green Goddess. In 1929 he portrayed Hugh Myers in Disraeli, where he played along his close friend George Arliss. Arliss and Simpson appeared together in a total of nine films. Especially in the 1930s, Simpson was a successful character actor in supporting and bit parts and appeared in many classics. He often played servants, like in MGM's literature adaption David Copperfield as Littimer and the horror movie Mark of the Vampire. He also portrayed priests like in Little Lord Fauntleroy and Random Harvest, judges like in This Land Is Mine or doctors like in They All Kissed the Bride. Simpson was also a frequent actor in the Errol Flynn movies, he appeared in The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Prince and the Pauper and Captain Blood. Ivan F. Simpson starred in over 100 Hollywood films, his last was My Girl Tisa from 1948. He died three years later at the age of 76 years and was buried in Kensico Cemetery. His daughter was actress Pamela Simpson (1905-2002).
Acted in 87
1940s
- 1948
My Girl Tisa
Movie
- 1943
My Kingdom for a Cook
Professor Harlow
Above Suspicion
Porter in Oxford (Uncredited)
This Land Is Mine
Judge
Two Weeks to Live
Professor Albert Frisby (as Ivan Simpson)
Forever and a Day
Dexter
- 1942
Nightmare
Money Changer
Eagle Squadron
Simms
They All Kissed the Bride
Dr. Cassell
The Male Animal
Dean Frederick Damon
Nazi Agent
Professor Sterling (as Ivan Simpson)
- 1941
The Body Disappears
Dean Claxton
- 1940
The Invisible Man Returns
Mr. Cotton (uncredited)
1930s
- 1939
Tower of London
Anne's Protector
Rulers of the Sea
Secretary (Uncredited)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Gates - Trial Prosecutor (uncredited)
The Sun Never Sets
A Doctor
Never Say Die
Kretsky
- 1938
Invisible Enemy
Michael (as Ivan Simpson)
- 1937
Youth on Parole
Henchman (uncredited)
London by Night
Burroughs
Night of Mystery
Movie
The Prince and the Pauper
Clemens
Maid of Salem
Rev. Parris
- 1936
Lloyd's of London
Old Man
Trouble for Two
Collins (as Ivan Simpson)
- 1935
Captain Blood
Prosecutor
The Great Impersonation
Dr. Harrison
East of Java
Resident
Splendor
Fletcher
The Bishop Misbehaves
Mr. Grantham
Shadow of Doubt
Morse
David Copperfield
Littimer
- 1934
The Little Minister
Sanders Webster
Among the Missing
Smeed
The World Moves On
Clumber
The House of Rothschild
Amschel Rothschild
The Mystery of Mr. X
Hutchinson
Man of Two Worlds
Dr. Lott
- 1933
Her Secret
Lathrop
Charlie Chan's Greatest Case
Brade
Midnight Mary
Tindle
The Silk Express
Johnson, Kilgore's Secretary
The Secret of Madame Blanche
Aubrey's Lawyer (Uncredited)
The Past of Mary Holmes
Jacob Riggs
The Monkey's Paw
Mr. White
- 1932
Sherlock Holmes
Faulkner
The Phantom of Crestwood
Mr. Vayne
The Crash
Hodge
A Passport to Hell
Simms
The Man Who Played God
Battle
- 1931
The Reckless Hour
Stevens - Adams' Butler (uncredited)
The Lady Who Dared
Butler
The Millionaire
Davis
- 1930
The Sea God
Pearly Nick
The Way of All Men
Higgins
Manslaughter
Morson
Inside the Lines
Capper
Isle of Escape
Judge
The Green Goddess
Watkins
1920s
- 1929
Disraeli
Sir Hugh Myers
- 1925
Womanhandled
Butler
A Kiss for Cinderella
Mr. Cutaway
Lovers in Quarantine
The Silent Passenger
Wild, Wild Susan
Malcolm
Miss Bluebeard
Bounds
- 1923
The Green Goddess
Watkins
- 1922
The Man Who Played God
Battle
1910s
- 1916
Out of the Drifts
Martin
- 1915
The Dictator
Simpson