Bernard Miles

Bernard Miles was born in Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Middlesex in 1907. His first stage appearance was in 1930 and he played supporting roles in films from 1933. His first starring role was in David Lean and Noel Coward's 'In Which We Serve' in 1942.

He was a brilliant character actor usually playing a simple rustic character. He went on to playing larger roles such as his Dickensian part in David Lean's 'Great Expectations' in 1946. He contributed to the scripts of a number of films including Will Hay's 'The Goose Steps Out' in 1942. He directed 'Tawny Pipit' in 1944 and co-wrote and co-produced it with Charles Saunders. He later founded his own London theatre; the Mermaid, which opened in 1951.

Bernard was Knighted in 1969 and became Lord Miles in 1978. He died in 1991.