Dennis Neilson-Terry

Dennis Neilson-Terry (21 October 1895 – 14 July 1932) was a British actor, theatre manager and producer, who starred in a number of films between 1917 and 1932.

He was the son of the actor Fred Terry and his wife, the actress Julia Neilson. In his early years he had been seen as a rising Shakespearean. After the First World War he specialised, as his parents had done before him, in less demanding roles in ephemeral but popular and profitable plays. While touring in southern Africa with such a repertory he contracted pneumonia and died at the age of 36.

Life and career Family Dennis Neilson-Terry was born in London into the Terry family of actors. His parents were Fred Terry and his wife Julia Neilson; his older sister was the actress Phyllis Neilson-Terry; and his aunt was Ellen Terry. He married the actress Mary Glynne and was the father of the actress Hazel Terry.

Early years Neilson-Terry was educated at Charterhouse School and made his stage debut at Drury Lane on 12 June 1906, as a page in Much Ado About Nothing, as part of Ellen Terry's Jubilee celebrations. He made his first regular appearance on the stage under the name of Derrick Dennis, at the New Theatre in May 1911, as Silvius in As You Like It. For Lillah McCarthy and Harley Granville-Barker he played Florizel in The Winter's Tale, and Sebastian in Twelfth Night later in 1912. The Times praised his "dainty" playing in the former, and commented that he was "evidently gifted with a full measure of the family talent."

Leading man In 1913 Neilson-Terry was given his first starring role, in Romeo and Juliet. The Manchester Guardian said:

Neilson-Terry's roles between then and the First World War included Louis Dubedat in The Doctor's Dilemma (1913), and Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1914).

During the war Neilson-Terry served in the Royal West Surrey Regiment, and was demobilised in 1917, when he resumed his theatrical career.

Together with his wife, Neilson-Terry made successful appearances in New York and South Africa, His body was taken back to England, and his funeral service was held at St Paul's, Covent Garden. He was buried in Hampstead Cemetery.

Filmography YearFilmRole 1916 Her Greatest Performance Gerald Lovelace 1917 Masks and Faces Ernest Vane 1919 His Last Defence Arthur Dawson 1920 Desire Raphael Valentin 1920 The Hundredth Chance Lord Saltash 1922 The Flight of the King (short) King Charles II 1922 A Story of Nell Gwynne (short) King Charles II 1930 The House of the Arrow Inspector Hanaud 1931 77 Park Lane Lord Brent 1932 Murder at Covent Garden Jack Trencham