James Stephenson

Biography

James Stephenson (14 April 1889 – 29 July 1941) was a British actor. British stage actor James Stephenson made his film debut in 1937 at the age of 48 with parts in four films. Warner Brothers signed him the following year, and he began playing urbane villains and disgraced gentlemen. Stephenson's big break came when director William Wyler cast him, in spite of studio resistance, in The Letter (1940) opposite Bette Davis. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for that role. Later that year he played the title role in Calling Philo Vance, and in 1941 he was first-billed in Shining Victory, in which he played the character of Dr. Paul Venner. Just as Stephenson's acting career was starting to rise he died due to a myocardial infarction at the age of 52.

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