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Niall MacGinnis

Highest Rated: 100% Curse of the Demon (1957)

Lowest Rated: 0% Krakatoa, East of Java (1969)

Birthday: Mar 29, 1913

Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

An Irish character actor, Niall MacGinnis appeared in a variety of roles but was especially adept at historical dramas. Trained as a doctor, he briefly worked as a surgeon in World War II before pursuing acting. He studied at the famed Old Vic Theatre in London under John Gielgud and became well-versed in Shakespeare. His first significant role was with young director Michael Powell, who cast him in the historical drama "The Edge of the World." He worked with Powell again in the war thriller "49th Parallel," winning praise for his portrayal of a Nazi officer. Co-star Laurence Olivier was impressed, casting MacGinniss in his 1948 film "Hamlet." He had a rare leading role playing the title character in the 1953 biographical drama "Martin Luther" and would appear in several more historical films throughout the decade, including "Alexander the Great" and "Helen of Troy." MacGinnis also made his Broadway debut in the early '50s and began appearing in both American and British films. He had a memorable role in the B-movie classic "Curse of the Demon," playing the demonic Dr. Julian Karswell, and he portrayed Zeus in the 1963 fantasy classic "Jason and The Argonauts." MacGinnis had a smattering of TV appearances in the latter part of his career while continuing to appear in some of his era's most significant films like the 1965 thriller "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold."

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Highest rated movies

100% 85% Curse of the Demon
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100% 78% The Edge of the World
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92% 87% Billy Budd
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89% 79% Jason and the Argonauts
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88% 76% 49th Parallel
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85% 81% The Nun's Story
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80% 81% Lust for Life
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67% 61% The War Lord
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43% 74% The Shoes of the Fisherman
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0% 26% Krakatoa, East of Java
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Filmography

Movies

Credit
0% 26% Krakatoa, East of Java Harbor Master (Character) - 1969
No Score Yet No Score Yet River of Mystery Garwood Drum (Character) - 1969
43% 74% The Shoes of the Fisherman Capuchin Monk (Character) - 1968
No Score Yet 44% Torture Garden Dr. Silversmith (Character) - 1967
No Score Yet 15% The Viking Queen Tiberian (Character) - 1967
No Score Yet 58% The Creepers Mr. Roger Campbell (Character) - 1966
No Score Yet 40% The Truth About Spring Cleary (Character) - 1965
67% 61% The War Lord Odins (Character) - 1965
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Man Who Finally Died Brenner (Character) - 1963
89% 79% Jason and the Argonauts Zeus (Character) - 1963
No Score Yet No Score Yet A Face in the Rain Klaus (Character) - 1963
92% 87% Billy Budd Captain Nathaniel Graveling (Character) - 1962
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Playboy of the Western World Old Mahon (Character) - 1962
No Score Yet 37% Sword of Sherwood Forest Friar Tuck (Character) - 1961
No Score Yet No Score Yet Johnny Nobody Defending Counsel Sullivan (Character) - 1961
No Score Yet 53% Kidnapped Mr. Shaun (Character) - 1960
No Score Yet No Score Yet Foxhole in Cairo Radek (Character) - 1960
No Score Yet No Score Yet Night Fighters Ned O'Neill (Character) - 1960
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Molester Defense Counsel (Character) - 1960
85% 81% The Nun's Story Father Vermeuhlen (Leprosarium) (Character) - 1959
No Score Yet 50% Tarzan's Greatest Adventure Kruger (Character) - 1959
No Score Yet No Score Yet This Other Eden Devereaux (Character) - 1959
No Score Yet No Score Yet She Didn't Say No! James Casey (Character) - 1958
No Score Yet No Score Yet Behind the Mask Neil Isherwood (Character) - 1958
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Veil Walter (Character) - 1958
100% 85% Curse of the Demon Dr. Julian Karswell (Character) - 1957
80% 81% Lust for Life Roulin (Character) - 1956
0% 42% Alexander the Great Parmenio (Character) - 1956
No Score Yet 59% Helen of Troy Menelaus (Character) - 1955
No Score Yet No Score Yet Special Delivery Sidney (Character) - 1955
No Score Yet No Score Yet Conflict of Wings Harry Tilney (Character) - 1954
No Score Yet 40% Hell Below Zero Dr. Howe (Character) - 1954
No Score Yet 52% Betrayed Blackie (Character) - 1954
No Score Yet 69% Martin Luther Martin Luther (Character) - 1953
No Score Yet No Score Yet Chance of a Lifetime Baxter (Character) - 1950
No Score Yet 25% Christopher Columbus Juan de la Cosa (Character) - 1949
No Score Yet 59% Anna Karenina Konstantin Levin (Character) - 1948
No Score Yet No Score Yet No Room at the Inn O'Rane (Character) - 1948
No Score Yet No Score Yet Captain Boycott Mark Killain (Character) - 1947
No Score Yet No Score Yet Tawny Pipit Jimmy Bancroft (Character) - 1944
No Score Yet 52% We Dive at Dawn Mike Corrigan (Character) - 1943
No Score Yet 50% The Day Will Dawn Olaf (Character) - 1942
88% 76% 49th Parallel Vogel (Character) - 1941
No Score Yet No Score Yet East of Piccadilly Joe (Character) - 1941
100% 78% The Edge of the World Andrew Gray (Character) - 1937
No Score Yet No Score Yet River of Unrest Terence Elliott (Character) - 1937
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Luck of the Irish Derek O'Neill (Character) - 1936
No Score Yet No Score Yet Ourselves Alone Terence Elliott (Character) - 1936

TV

Credit
No Score Yet No Score Yet El Santo Colonel Probst (Guest Star) 1966