Frank Lawton Mokeley (30 September 1904 – 10 June 1969) was an English actor.

Frank Lawton
Lawton and his wife, Evelyn Laye, in 1934
Born
Frank Lawton Mokeley

(1904-09-30)30 September 1904
St Giles, London, England
Died10 June 1969(1969-06-10) (aged 64)
Marylebone, London, England
OccupationActor
Spouse
(m. 1934)
FatherFrank Lawton

Biography

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Frank Lawton was born in St Giles, London, on 30 September 1904. His parents were stage players Daisy May Collier and Frank Mokely Lawton.[1] His first major screen credit was Young Woodley (1930). In the mid-1930s, Lawton appeared in some Hollywood films, most significantly as the adult David Copperfield in MGM's classic literature adaptation of David Copperfield (1935). However, Lawton never made his big breakthrough in Hollywood and returned to British film and theatre.

He was married to actress Evelyn Laye from 1934 until his death in 1969 aged 64. They acted together several times, including in the TV series My Husband and I.

During World War II, he joined the British Army in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and rose to the rank of major. He was assigned as a liaison officer to the U.S. Army and ultimately was awarded the Legion of Merit, Degree of Legionnaire for his service.[2]

In the West End, he appeared in Alex Atkinson's Four Winds (1953) and Ronald Miller's Waiting for Gillian (1954). He appeared alongside his wife in Michael Clayton Hutton's Silver Wedding in 1957.

Frank Lawton died at his home in London on 10 June 1969.[1]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1930 Young Woodley Woodley
Birds of Prey Jimmy Hilton
1931 The Skin Game Rolf Hornblower
The Outsider Basil Owen
Michael and Mary David Rowe
After Office Hours Hec
1933 Cavalcade Joe Marryot
Heads We Go Toby Tyrrell
Friday the Thirteenth Frank Parsons
1934 One More River Tony Croom
1935 David Copperfield David Copperfield
1936 The Invisible Ray Ronald Drake
The Devil-Doll Toto
The Mill on the Floss Philip Wakem
1939 The Four Just Men James Terry
1942 Went the Day Well? Tom Sturry
1948 The Winslow Boy John Watherstone
1953 Rough Shoot Hassingham
1955 Above Us the Waves Naval officer in briefing roon Uncredited
1956 Doublecross Chief Constable
1957 The Rising of the Moon British officer (3rd Episode)
1958 Gideon's Day Liggot
A Night to Remember Chairman and managing director of White Star Line J. Bruce Ismay
1961 The Queen's Guards Cmdr. Hewson

References

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  1. ^ a b "Stage Star Frank Lawton Dies at 64". Hull Daily Mail. 11 June 1969. p. 6. Retrieved 14 June 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Recommendation for Award for Lawton, Franck C Rank: Major Regiment".
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