Walter Kingsford (born Walter Pearce; 20 September 1881 – 7 February 1958) was an English stage, film, and television actor.

Early years

Kingsford was born in Redhill, Surrey, England.

Career

Kingsford began his acting career on the London stage. He also had a long Broadway career, appearing in plays from the 1912 original American production of George Bernard Shaw's Fanny's First Play to 1944's Song of Norway. In the early 1920s, Kingford was active with the Henry Jewett Players. Kingsford moved to Hollywood, California, for a prolific film career in supporting parts. On screen, he specialised in portraying authority figures such as noblemen, heads of state, doctors, police inspectors and lawyers. He is best known for his recurring role as the snobbish hospital head Dr. P. Walter Carew in the popular Dr. Kildare (and Dr. Gillespie) film series. Kingsford had numerous television appearances in the 1950s. They included TV Reader's Digest, Command Performance and Science Fiction Theatre.

Personal life

Kingsford was married to actress Winifred Hanley. They had a son, Guy Kingsford. Kingsford died of a heart attack in Hollywood in 1958, aged 76. He was cremated and his ashes scattered on the grounds of Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Complete filmography