David Niven

He met and married Primula "Primmie" Susan Rollo in 1940. The happily married couple was blessed with two sons in quick succession. Tragedy struck the family when Primmie died in a freak accident in 1946.

A few years later he married Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden, a Swedish fashion model. The couple adopted two daughters, one of whom was rumored to be David’s secret love child with a teenage girl.

David Niven began suffering from health problems during the early 1980s. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1981 and after ailing for several months he died on 29 July 1983, at the age of 73.

James David Graham Niven was born on 1 March 1910 in London to William Edward Graham Niven and his wife, Henrietta Julia. He had three older siblings. His father was an army man, as were both his grandfathers.

His father was killed during the World War I in 1915. His mother remarried Sir Thomas Comyn-Platt in 1917. It was rumored that his mother had been having an affair with Sir Thomas even before the death of her first husband. Some sources suggest that Sir Thomas may well have been David Niven's biological father.

David grew up to be a naughty boy who loved playing pranks. He was sent to the elite Heatherdown Preparatory School from where he was expelled due to his mischievous behavior.

He then went to Stowe School, following which he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He graduated in 1930 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the British Army.

David Niven was assigned to the Highland Light Infantry (HLI). He served with the HLI for more than two years but did not enjoy his job. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1933, but did not see a future for himself in the military. In addition, his rebellious streak was also causing problems in his career.

He quit the army and travelled to different places in search of a more interesting profession. After spending short terms in Bermuda and Cuba, he finally arrived in Hollywood in 1934.

He struggled a lot initially, though eventually he was able to find minor acting roles in films. In 1935, he was cast in ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ and his performance gained the attention of independent film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed him to a contract.

Over the next few years he appeared in several supporting roles in major films like ‘Rose-Marie’ (1936), ‘Dodsworth’ (1936), ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ (1936), and ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ (1937).

His reputation as a reliable and talented supporting actor led to leading roles in ‘The Dawn Patrol’ (1938), ‘Three Blind Mice’ (1938) and ‘Wuthering Heights’ (1939). A popular actor by now, he shared the screen with legendary performers like Errol Flynn, Loretta Young and Laurence Olivier.

David Niven played Major David Angus Pollock in the drama film ‘Separate Tables’ which also starred Rita Hayworth and Deborah Kerr. His role of an army man accused of sexually harassing several young women was well received by the audience and the film critics.

He portrayed Phileas Fogg, a refined and well-dressed Victorian gentleman, in the action adventure comedy film ‘Around the World in 80 Days.’ The movie was a critically acclaimed hit which won five Academy awards.