David Niven: podcast appearances and interviews

James David Graham Niven was an English actor, soldier, raconteur, memoirist, and novelist. Born in central London in 1910, he was educated at Heatherdown Preparatory School, Stowe School, and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. Following his commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry, Niven developed an interest in acting and appeared as an extra in the British film There Goes the Bride in 1932. He later moved to New York and then to Hollywood, where he secured a contract with Samuel Goldwyn after performing small roles in various films, including Mutiny on the Bounty in 1935. His early Hollywood career featured roles in films such as Dodsworth, The Charge of the Light Brigade, and The Prisoner of Zenda. By 1938, Niven had become a leading man, starring in Wuthering Heights among others. During World War II, he returned to Britain, rejoining the army as a lieutenant and co-starred in the morale-building film The First of the Few in 1942. Niven earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Separate Tables in 1958. His filmography includes notable titles such as A Matter of Life and Death, The Bishop's Wife, and Around the World in 80 Days. He also garnered attention for playing Sir Charles Lytton in The Pink Panther and portraying James Bond in Casino Royale. His career spanned several decades and various genres, establishing him as a prominent figure in classic Hollywood cinema.