Richard Todd

Richard Todd OBE (born 11 June 1919) is an Irish-born British stage and film actor and former soldier. He was born Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd in Dublin, Ireland. Todd's father, Andrew William Palethorpe Todd, was an Irish physician and also notably an International Irish Rugby player who gained three caps for his country. Richard spent a few of his childhood years in India, where his father, a British officer, served as an army physician. Lat... more

Richard Todd OBE (born 11 June 1919) is an Irish-born British stage and film actor and former soldier. He was born Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd in Dublin, Ireland. Todd's father, Andrew William Palethorpe Todd, was an Irish physician and also notably an International Irish Rugby player who gained three caps for his country. Richard spent a few of his childhood years in India, where his father, a British officer, served as an army physician. Later his family relocated to West Devon, England. He attended Shrewsbury School. Upon leaving school, Todd trained for a potential military career at Sandhurst before inaugurating his acting training at the Italia Conti Academy. He first appeared professionally as an actor at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park in 1936 in a production of Twelfth Night. He played in regional theatres and then co-founded the Dundee Repertory Theatre in 1939. During the Second World War, Todd joined the British Army receiving a commission in 1941. Initially, he... less