Biography
Dignified character actor Henry Stephenson was born in Granada, British West Indies and received his education at Rugby College in England. After graduation, Stephenson wasted little time pursuing an acting career, debuting as a stage performer throughout England and America, his Broadway debut coming in 1901 with "A Message from Mars." With his theater credentials intact, Stephenson ventured into silent film, making appearances in a variety of forgettable films. His true film breakthrough came in 1932 with a sizeable role in King Vidor's romantic drama "Cynara." More substantial film roles followed, and during this time Stephenson began finding his character niche--directors were fond of his tall physique, proper way with words and generally noble screen presence. For this reason, the majority of his roles throughout his peak '30s period were distinguished nobleman-types, including his part as Sir Joseph Banks in the 1935 Clark Gable-starring history adventure, "Mutiny on the Bounty" and classy roles in two adventure-romances from famed director Michael Curtiz: 1935's "Captain Blood" and 1936's Errol Flynn-starring "The Charge of the Light Brigade." Stephenson kept acting throughout his life, into his '70s. Though many of his final roles were less than memorable (including a part in 1949's "Challenge to Lassie," his place in cinema history was already cemented.
