Michael Allinson, British actor. Served as acting major Royal Signals, 1941-1946. Member Players Club (president).
Background
Allinson was born on 30 December 1920, in London. He was the son of British painter and sculptor Adrian Allinson, founding member of the avant garde London Group of painters. He was the grandson of doctor and nutritionist Thomas Allinson, the founder of the Allinson Bread Company.
Education
Certified, Wycliffe College, Stonehouse Gloucester, England, 1936. Diploma, Royal Academy Dramatic Art, London, 1940.
Career
Allinson was trained for the stage at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Artist Allinson served as a Captain during World World War World War II Allinson emigrated to the United States in the summer of 1958. He understudied both Rex Harrison and George Rose in the production of the Kignfisher and did a 1 man show about George Orwell in his later years.
Allinson performed extensively on Broadway, where he took over the role of Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady during the 1960 season opposite Pamela Charles as Eliza Doolittle, having toured as standby for Rex Harrison.
On Broadway he also created the role of "Warnie" in the original production of Shadowlands, starring Nigel Hawthorne and Jane Alexander. He appeared as Hobson in the short lived Arthur the musical based on the hit Dudley Moore/John Gielgud film.
He appeared in Broadway productions of An Ideal Husband, Oliver!, Angel Street (opposite Dina Merrill), Coco (with Katharine Hepburn), Sleuth, Come Live with Maine, and Hostile Witness (with Ray Milland). He was President Emeritus of the Players" Club, installed after the exit of Lynn Redgrave.
He also appeared in many films, his last role being "Sir David" in Syriana.
Michael Allinson died on his 90th birthday in 2010, in Los Angeles, California.
Membership
Served as acting major Royal Signals, 1941-1946. Member Players Club (president).
Connections
Married Judith Lee Schriver. Children: David, Timothy.