Trevor Howard was an English professional actor best remembered for playing a sensitive doctor in the romantic drama film ‘Brief Encounter,’ which catapulted him to stardom. While studying at the ‘Royal Academy of Dramatic Art,’ he began his acting career as a stage artist. Over the next ten years, he steadily established himself on the stage, most notably for his role in the critically acclaimed comedy ‘French Without Tears.’ He also appeared in Stratford-Upon-Avon in a number of other Shakespearean productions. During the ‘Second World War,’ he took a break from professional acting to serve in the British Army as a paratrooper. In 1943, he returned to the theater, and the following year, he released his debut film, ‘The Way Ahead.’ His breakthrough picture, ‘Brief Encounter,’ elevated him to stardom and led the way for parts in films like as ‘The Third Man,’ ‘The Key,’ ‘Sons and Lovers,’ ‘The Heart of the Matter,’ ‘Gandhi,’ ‘The Dawning,’ and ‘George Washington,’ among others. He also appeared in a number of television shows and films. He earned a television Emmy for his performance as the title character in the television play “The Invincible Mr. Disraeli.” For his portrayal in the film ‘The Key,’ he was named best actor of the year by the ‘British Film Academy’ in 1958. He was named one of the top 10 British box office stars a number of times over the years by British film exhibitors in an annual survey in the ‘Motion Picture Herald.’
Childhood and Adolescence
Arthur John Howard, an insurance writer for Lyods of London, and Mabel Grey, a nurse, had him on September 29, 1913, in Cliftonville, England.
When he was a child, his father moved the family to Ceylon. After a few years in Ceylon, he embarked on a round-the-world journey to England with his mother and younger sister Merla.
When they arrived in England, Howard, who was about eight years old at the time, enrolled in ‘Clifton College,’ while his mother and Merla returned to Ceylon to join his father.
Academics did not pique Howard’s interest. He was more interested in sports, particularly cricket, and even considered following it.
Howard enrolled at the ‘Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts’ (‘RADA’), a theatrical school in London, on the advice of one of his school professors and with his mother’s approval.
In 1933, at the end of his first year of study at ‘RADA,’ he was named the finest actor in his class for portraying Benedict in the school production of Shakespeare’s comedy play, ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’
Career of Trevor Howard
He made his professional debut as a theater artist in 1934, while still a student at ‘RADA,’ with the play ‘Revolt in a Reformatory,’ which was produced at the ‘Gate Theater.’
In 1935, he graduated from theater school and appeared in Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s play “The Rivals” as “Absolute.” For the next decade, he developed his acting skills by appearing in tiny roles in a variety of plays, including Shakespearean dramas, in London’s West End, and at Stratford-on-‘Memorial’. Avon’s
During the ‘Second World War,’ he served in the British Army for three years. During his time in the military, he completed 22 parachute jumps and took part in airborne landings in Sicily and Norway. He was awarded the “Military Cross.” However, he was released from the service in 1943.
He returned to acting soon after, appearing in the stage drama ‘The Recruiting Officer’ in 1943, followed by further successful theatrical appearances in plays such as ‘A Soldier for Christmas’ and ‘Anna Christie.’
In 1944, he made his film debut in the Carol Reed-directed picture ‘The Way Ahead,’ playing the character of a naval commander.
His third picture, ‘Brief Encounter,’ a love romance directed by David Lean and released on November 26, 1945, was his breakthrough. Lean was looking for an actor who could play one of his film’s roles, Alec, and came across Howard in the film ‘The Way Ahead.’ Howard’s stardom was cemented by the success of ‘Brief Encounter,’ which marked the start of an almost four-decade career in film.
His next notable film, ‘The Third Man,’ was once again directed by Carol Reed. Major Calloway, a British military commander, was his persona. His reputation as a skilled actor was enhanced by this picture. During the filming of the film in Vienna, he was arrested when he landed dressed in British military uniform in an enclosure that was still under the Soviet army’s authority. However, the issue was straightened up later, and he was handed over to the British military police’s ‘Special Investigation Branch.’
He got the Best Actor award from the ‘British Academy of Picture and Television Arts’ for his outstanding portrayal of Captain Chris Ford in Carol Reed’s British military film ‘The Key,’ which was released on July 1, 1958.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1960 film ‘Sons and Lovers.’ He also received nominations for the ‘BAFTA,’ ‘Golden Globe Award,’ and ‘Emmy Award,’ among other prominent prizes.
‘The Heart of the Matter’ (1953), ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ (1956), ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ (1962), ‘Battle of Britain’ (1969), ‘The Offence’ (1972), ‘A Doll’s House’ (1973), ‘Superman’ (1978), ‘Hurricane’ (1979), ‘Gandhi’ (1982), and ‘George Washington’ (1983) are some of (1984).
He also made an impression on television with some outstanding performances. In 1963, he won an Emmy for his performance as the titular character in the television play “The Invincible Mr. Disraeli.” He appeared in television films such as ‘The Count of Monte Cristo,’ ‘Deadly Game,’ and ‘Inside the Third Reich,’ as well as series such as ‘Shaka Zulu,’ and ‘Peter the Great,’ all in 1986.
Personal History and Legacy
On September 8, 1944, he married Helen Cherry. In 1974, the pair co-starred in the film ’11 Harrowhouse.’
Howard became an alcoholic and developed major health problems as a result. He died in Barnet on January 7, 1988, of liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure.
Trevor Howard’s Net Worth
Trevor is one of the wealthiest and most well-known actors in Hollywood. Trevor Howard’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.
Trivia
He was a cricket fanatic who was a member of the prestigious ‘Marylebone Cricket Club.’ Throughout his career, he insisted on a stipulation in all of his contracts prohibiting him from shooting any cricket test match.
He turned down a ‘CBE’ in 1982.