Career
He appeared in both British and Hollywood productions. He is remembered for his role as the Kralaholme in the original London production of The King and I, a role he recreated in the Oscar-winning film version. Appearing in films for over six decades, Benson played mostly supporting characters or villains.
His films include The Blind Goddess (1948), Wheel of Fate (1953), Interpol (1957), The Strange World of Planet X (1958), Once More, with Feeling! (1959), Exodus (1960), Five Golden Hours (1961), A Shot in the Dark (1964), Pope Joan (1972), The Sea Wolves (1980) and Angela"s Ashes (1999).
He also had an uncredited role in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer"s hit historical film, Ivanhoe, and in 1963 he acted in another historic film, as Ramos in Cleopatra (which also starred Elizabeth Taylor). Benson played both serious roles, such as Ali in Killers of Kilimanjaro (1959) and comic roles, such as Maurice in A Shot in the Dark.
In 1964, he appeared as Mr. Solo, the gangster who refused to take part in the title villain"s plan and is shot by Goldfinger"s henchman Oddjob in the James Bond film, Goldfinger
Benson died in his sleep on 28 February 2010, from natural causes.