Desmond Roberts

Desmond Roberts (5 February 1894 – 11 January 1968) was a British stage and film actor who also played first-class cricket (1913–1936) for Surrey. He was a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler. He appeared in 12 first-class matches for Surrey during this period.

He began his film career at the end of the silent era and had his only leading role in A Reckless Gamble (1928). After which he had a brief sojourn to Hollywood, where he appeared in a number of classic films, including Tarzan and His Mate (1934), Of Human Bondage (1934), and Clive of India (1935). He then settled back in Britain, where he became a familiar supporting player in movies such as Scott of the Antarctic (1948), The Man in the White Suit (1951), and A Night to Remember (1958).

He was born in Hampstead and died in Eastbourne.

Partial filmography

A Woman in Pawn (1927) - David Courthill The City of Youth (1928) A Reckless Gamble (1928) - Dick Beresford Way for a Sailor (1930) - Canadian Queen Captain (uncredited) The Royal Bed (1931) - Major Blent The Squaw Man (1931) - Hardwick (uncredited) But the Flesh Is Weak (1932) - Findley Cavalcade (1933) - Ronnie James The King's Vacation (1933) - Dolan - Sergeant Footman (uncredited) Christopher Strong (1933) - Bryce Mercer Headline Shooter (1933) - Beauty Contest Judge (uncredited) Captured! (1933) - British Officer in the Trench (uncredited) Blind Adventure (1933) - Harvey (uncredited) Mandalay (1934) - Police Sergeant (uncredited) The House of Rothschild (1934) - Guest at Reception Hall Riptide (1934) - Hotel Manager (uncredited) Tarzan and His Mate (1934) - Henry Van Ness (uncredited) The Key (1934) - Regular (uncredited) Of Human Bondage (1934) - Dr. Jacobs Grand Canary (1934) - Purser The Count of Monte Cristo (1934) - Blacas (uncredited) The Girl from Missouri (1934) - Harris - Cousin's Butler (uncredited) Jane Eyre (1934) - Dr. John Rivers (uncredited) The Fountain (1934) - Willett House of Danger (1934) - Gordon - the Butler Menace (1934) - Underwood (uncredited) Limehouse Blues (1934) - Constable (uncredited) Clive of India (1935) - Third Director (uncredited) Gaol Break (1936) - Paul Kendall Under the Red Robe (1937) - Captain Rivarolle Lily of Laguna (1938) - Arnold Egerton My Ain Folk (1945) - Factory manager Give Me the Stars (1945) - Ship's Captain The Echo Murders (1945) - Cotter School for Secrets (1946) - 2nd Club Member Bothered by a Beard (1946) (uncredited) Dusty Bates (1947) - Ginger Green (uncredited) The White Unicorn (1947) - Elderly Roue (uncredited) The Calendar (1948) - Rainby Scott of the Antarctic (1948) - Admiralty Official The Bad Lord Byron (1949) - 2nd Old club member The Man in the White Suit (1951) - Mannering Appointment in London (1953) - Admiral Parker (uncredited) Beau Brummell (1954) - Colonel Simba (1955) - Colonel Bridgeman The Haunted Strangler (1958) - Dr. Johnson I Was Monty's Double (1958) - Brigadier The Two-Headed Spy (1958) - Gen. Zeiss A Night to Remember (1958) - Mr. Douglas (uncredited) A Touch of Larceny (1960) - Club Member Double Bunk (1961) - Freighter Captain Murder Ahoy! (1964) - Sir Geoffrey Bucknose (uncredited) Mister Ten Per Cent (1967) - Manservant (final film role)