Cedric Hardwicke
Sir
Cedric Webster Hardwicke (
February 19,
1893 -
August 6,
1964) was a British
actor. He was born in the village of
Lye,
Worcestershire. He trained at
RADA, and, after service in
World War I, he joined a repertory company in
Birmingham, England, and played many classical roles on stage before beginning a film career which included both British and
Hollywood films. He was knighted in
1934. Despite having played in such classics as
King Solomon's Mines (
1937),
The Winslow Boy (
1948) and
Olivier's
Richard III (
1955), Hardwicke is now remembered chiefly for his role as
King Arthur in the comedy/musical,
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (
1949), singing
We're Busy Doing Nothing in a trio with
Bing Crosby and William Bendix.
Sir Cedric Hardwicke's son is the actor, Edward Hardwicke.