Nigel Bruce

Acting

Nigel Bruce

Born February 3, 1895 · Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Died October 8, 1953 · aged 58

William Nigel Ernle Bruce, best known as Nigel Bruce, was a British character actor on stage and screen.  He was best known for his portrayal of Doctor Watson in a series of films and in the radio series The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes). Bruce is also remembered for his roles in the Alfred Hitchcock films Rebecca and Suspicion.

Known For

RebeccaRebecca · 1940
Rebecca
★ 7.91940
MovieMysteryRomance
Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter. She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.
LimelightLimelight · 1952
Limelight
★ 7.91952
MovieRomanceDrama
A fading music hall comedian tries to help a despondent ballet dancer learn to walk and to again feel confident about life.
SuspicionSuspicion · 1941
Suspicion
★ 7.11941
MovieMysteryRomance
A sheltered heiress falls for a charming playboy and elopes with him, but soon discovers his gambling vice and mounting debts. As his lies deepen and those around them meet mysterious ends, she begins to suspect that her husband’s affection may conceal a deadly motive—and that she could be his next victim.
The Hound of the BaskervillesThe Hound of the Baskervilles · 1939
The Hound of the Baskervilles
★ 7.11939
MovieMysteryCrime
When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.
The Baroness and the ButlerThe Baroness and the Butler · 1938
The Baroness and the Butler
★ 5.31938
MovieComedyDrama
A Butler gets elected to the Hungarian parliament where he opposes his master's government.
Lassie Come HomeLassie Come Home · 1943
Lassie Come Home
★ 6.71943
MovieFamilyAdventure
Hard times come for the Carraclough family and they are forced to sell their dog, Lassie, to the rich Duke of Rudling. Lassie, however, is unwilling to remain apart from young Carraclough son Joe and sets out on a long and dangerous journey to rejoin him.
The Pearl of DeathThe Pearl of Death · 1944
The Pearl of Death
★ 7.11944
MovieThrillerMystery
The famous Borgia Pearl, a valuable gem with a history of bringing murder and misfortune to its owner since the days of the Borgias, is brought to London, thanks in part to Sherlock Holmes. But before long the jewel is stolen, due to an error on Holmes' part, and shortly thereafter, a series of horrible murders begin, the murderer leaving his victims with their spines snapped and surrounded by a mass of smashed china.
The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes · 1939
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★ 6.91939
MovieCrimeMystery
Having once again avoided criminal conviction, Professor Moriarity develops a murderous plan to “finish off” his last major nemesis, Sherlock Holmes, by making him fail to prevent the perfect crime. Does it involve a family curse, the crown jewels of England, or something else…

Filmography

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Four Star PlayhouseFour Star Playhouse · 1952
Four Star Playhouse
★ 6.81952
SeriesDramaComedy
Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.

Col. Mournay