Hugh Williams (1904-1969) b. Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England.

Born Brian Williams, he trained for the stage at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and began his professional stage career at age 17, after appearing in many plays over several years he developed into a popular leading man with the Liverpool Repertory and on the West End. Williams made his film debut in Charley’s Aunt (1930) in the US where he was additionally appearing on stage.

He landed some excellent leading roles in British films of the 1930s, including Conrad Veidt’s partner in Walter Forde’s archetypal train thriller Rome Express (1932), the caddish Gerald in The Last Journey (1936), the redundant boyfriend in Bank Holiday (1938) and the Scotland Yard detective in The Dark Eyes of London (1939). In the course of WWII service he squeezed in appearances in Ships with Wings (1941), The Day Will Dawn (1942) and One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942). After the war he settled into character roles such as the blackmailed cabinet minister in An Ideal Husband (1947), the avuncular Richard in The Holly and the Ivy (1952) and Jack Hawkins golfing partner in The Intruder (1953).