Phillip Vandamm — North by Northwest Character Profile

About Phillip Vandamm

Criminal mastermind and ringleader of the espionage ring. He orchestrates the kidnapping and murder plot, hides microfilm in a statue, plans to execute Eve Kendall, and is ultimately arrested at Mount Rushmore.

Character Facts

Played by

James Mason

Appears in

North by Northwest (1959)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (4)

• Phillip Vandamm — Conflict Arch Enemy — Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant)

  Vandamm orchestrates the conspiracy that frames Thornhill, leading to their final showdown.

• Phillip Vandamm — Alliance Deceptive Partner — Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint)

  Kendall maintains a facade of loyalty while secretly undermining Vandamm.

• Phillip Vandamm — Alliance Employer/Employee — Lester Townsend (Philip Ober)

  Townsend serves as a diplomatic front for Vandamm's criminal network.

• Phillip Vandamm — Conflict Enemy — Professor (Leo G. Carroll)

  The USIA and Vandamm are locked in a covert intelligence battle.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of North by Northwest

More characters from North by Northwest

• Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant)
• Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint)
• Clara Thornhill (Jessie Royce Landis)
• Licht (Robert Ellenstein)
• Professor (Leo G. Carroll)
• Dr. Cross (Philip Coolidge)
• Sergeant Flamm (Patrick McVey)
• Auctioneer (Les Tremayne)
• Mrs. Townsend (Josephine Hutchinson)
• Lester Townsend (Philip Ober)
• Captain Junket (Edward Binns)
• Charley (Ken Lynch)