Robert Newton
Known for Acting
Biography
Robert Newton was one of the great character actors -- and great characters -- of the British cinema, best remembered today for playing Long John Silver in Treasure Island (1950) and its sequel in 1954. His portrayal of Long John Silver and of Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) created a persona that was so indelible that his vocal intonations created the paradigm for scores of people who want to "Talk Like a Pirate." The performance overshadows Newton's legacy, which is based on many first-rate performances in such movies as This Happy Breed (1944), Odd Man Out (1947) and Oliver Twist (1948), where his Bill Sykes is truly chilling. Oliver Reed, who played Sykes in the Oscar-winning movie musical Oliver! (1968) was influenced by Newton.
Filmography
Around the World in 80 Days
1956
as Mr. Fix
Oliver Twist
1948
as Bill Sykes
Jamaica Inn
1939
as James "Jem" Trehearne
Treasure Island
1950
as Long John Silver
The High and the Mighty
1954
as Gustave Pardee
This Happy Breed
1944
as Frank Gibbons
Tom Brown's Schooldays
1951
as Thomas Arnold
Henry V
1944
as Ancient Pistol
Odd Man Out
1947
as Lukey
Androcles and the Lion
1952
as Ferrovius
Obsession
1949
as Dr. Clive Riordan
They Flew Alone
1942
as Jim Mollison
Poison Pen
1939
as Sam Hurrin
The Desert Rats
1953
as Tom Bartlett
Waterfront
1950
as Peter McCabe
Fire Over England
1937
as Don Pedro
Soldiers Three
1951
as Pvt. Bill Sykes
21 Days
1940
as Tolly
Vessel of Wrath
1938
as The Controleur
Farewell Again
1937
as Jim Carter