H. O. Nicholson

Hubert Osbert Butler Nicholson (5 January 1868 – 22 September 1940), known professionally as H. O. Nicholson, was an English character actor of the first half of the 20th century.

Life and career Nicholson was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, the son of the Rev John Aldwell Nicholson and his wife, Editha Caroline, née Hunt. He was educated at Leamington College and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he gained a classical scholarship in 1887, and took a second-class degree in the Classical Tripos of 1890.

After working as a schoolmaster Nicholson made his first professional stage appearance in Cork on 26 December 1896 in Frank Benson's company. His only other film role was Dr Nash in The Cornor House Burglary (1914). His acting career was interrupted by service in the armed forces during the First World War. Nicholson's Shakespearean roles included Fabian, Starveling, Casca, Dogberry, Polonius, Shallow, and Old Adam. He is credited by Who's Who in the Theatre with having coined the name Walter Plinge as a stage pseudonym used when it would be undesirable or impossible for an actor to appear under his real name.

Nicholson died in London on 22 September 1940, aged 72.

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