Donald Crisp

Donald Crisp Profile Photo

Characters played by Donald Crisp

Dr. Kenneth — Wuthering Heights (1939)

The local physician who treats Cathy after she falls ill from running into the storm. He later appears at the story's conclusion, informing Ellen and Lockwood that he witnessed Heathcliff on the moors with a mysterious woman before discovering Heathcliff's body, confirming the supernatural haunting.

Gwilym Morgan — How Green Was My Valley (1941)

The father of Huw and his siblings, and a miner in the South Wales village. When the mine owner cuts wages, he tries to mediate rather than endorse a strike, causing a rift with fellow miners and his older sons. He later reconciles with his sons, but is trapped in a mine cave-in and dies after briefly reuniting with Huw.

Gen. U.S. Grant — The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Commanding General of the United States Army leading Union victories.

Alec Waggoman — The Man from Laramie (1955)

The wealthy, aging landowner and patriarch of the Waggoman family. He initially tries to maintain peace in Coronado and threatens to disinherit Vic. Suspecting Dave of illegal arms dealing, he investigates the rifle cache himself but is accidentally pushed down a hill by Vic. He survives and later provides Lockhart with the location of the weapons.

Sam Carraclough — Lassie Come Home (1943)

Joe's father, a struggling Yorkshireman forced to sell Lassie due to hard times.

Dennis Deneen — Saddle the Wind (1958)

The main landowner who rents the ranch to Steve Sinclair and initially collaborates with him to maintain communal stability. He agrees to defend Clay Ellison's legal rights, breaks with the Sinclairs after Tony murders Ellison, and is wounded confronting Tony before persuading Steve to remain at the ranch.

MacTavish — The Black Pirate (1926)

A sympathetic one-armed pirate who assists the Black Pirate after the crew sends him overboard. With MacTavish's help, the Black Pirate survives and returns with troops to defeat the pirates and rescue Princess Isobel. MacTavish is moved to tears by the happy ending, underscoring his support for the Black Pirate and the couple.

William Scott — The Valley of Decision (1945)

William Scott is the owner of the Pittsburgh steel mill and Paul Scott's father. His mill caused Pat Rafferty's crippling, making Pat distrust him, while William initially responds to the strike by planning to hire strikebreakers. After Mary Rafferty arranges negotiations, he recognizes the union, but he is killed when violence erupts.

Don Sebastian — Don Q Son of Zorro (1925)

Nobleman or ally figure in the sequel, part of the court or political circle.

Commander Beech — The Uninvited (1944)

Stella's grandfather and the former owner of Windward House, which he sells to the Fitzgerald siblings for an unusually low price. He forbids Stella to see Roderick or enter the house, later tries to make her leave, and dies from a heart attack when a ghost appears.

Judge Hardwick — The Oklahoma Kid (1939)

Judge Hardwick is a judicial figure who hopes to establish law and order in Tulsa. He supports the campaign to elect John Kincaid as mayor and is Jane Hardwick's father. At the conclusion, he arrives and performs the marriage between Jane and Jim despite Jim's brief objections.

Colonel Campbell — The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936)

Colonel Campbell is the British commander at Chukoti. After British forces withdraw prematurely toward Lohara and leave Chukoti exposed, he surrenders the garrison to Surat Khan. The surrender is followed by the massacre of the inhabitants, an atrocity that motivates Geoffrey Vickers's later vengeance.

Career Overview

Donald Crisp has 200 screen credits in a career dating back to 1909. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently MGM's Lassie Collection with 4 titles. Signature works include Wuthering Heights, The Man from Laramie, National Velvet. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
200
Birth Date
1882-07-26
Birth Place
Bow, London, England, UK

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 3 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q367073), public domain (CC0).