Roland Culver

Roland Joseph Culver, (31 August 1900 – 1 March 1984) was an English stage, film, and television actor.

Early life After Highgate School, Culver joined the Royal Air Force and served as a pilot from 1918 to 1919.

Career After considering other careers, Culver turned to acting, graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He debuted on the stage in 1924 at Hull Repertory Theatre and, by 1931, was appearing in films in which he was known for his portrayals of impeccable English gentlemen not given to displays of emotion.

In the 1960s Culver branched out into television, before finally retiring in 1983. In 1960 he appeared in Five Finger Exercise at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. He was nominated for the 1966 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for Ivanov. In 1974, he played the irascible Duke of Omnium and Gatherum in the popular BBC adaptation of The Pallisers. With his first wife he had two children: actor Michael Culver and Robin Culver.

Writer Culver wrote the play A River Breeze, and his autobiography is called Not Quite a Gentleman.

Complete filmography