About
David Niven, born James David Graham Niven in London in 1910, was a British actor and writer. Educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he served as an officer in the British Army, rising to lieutenant-colonel during World War II. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Separate Tables (1958), becoming the only person to receive the award while hosting the ceremony. He distinguished himself in films such as A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Wuthering Heights (1939), and Around the World in 80 Days (1956). He also published several books, including his bestselling memoir The Moon's a Balloon (1971). He died in Switzerland in 1983 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
* 1910-03-01 — † 1983-07-28
Major works
- Round the Rugged Rocks (1951)novel
- The Moon's a Balloon (1971)memoir
- Bring on the Empty Horses (1975)memoir
- Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly (1981)novel
Key milestones
- 1958Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Separate Tables, becoming the only person to receive the award while hosting the ceremony.
- 1971Published his bestselling memoir The Moon's a Balloon, which sold over five million copies.
- 1974During the Oscars ceremony, a streaker ran behind him on stage; Niven ad-libbed a famous quip about his 'shortcomings'.
Themes
World War IIHollywood cinemaNostalgiaHonor and dutyBritish humor
Sources: npg.org.uk · catalog.oscars.org