Lionel Jeffries
Actor

Lionel Jeffries Net Worth

Lionel Jeffries was a British actor, director, and writer born on June 10, 1926 in Forest Hill, London. He was known for his roles as English eccentrics, and had trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After serving in WWII, he had a successful career in the 1960s, playing roles such as Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Marquis of Queensberry in The Trials of Oscar Wilde. He also had a brief career as a director, with his most popular films being The Railway Children and The Amazing Mr. Blunden.
Lionel Jeffries is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Director, Writer
Birth Day June 10, 1926
Birth Place  Forest Hill, London, England, United Kingdom
Age 94 YEARS OLD
Died On 19 February 2010(2010-02-19) (aged 83)\nPoole, Dorset, England
Birth Sign Cancer
Cause of death Vascular dementia
Occupation Actor, film director, screenwriter
Years active 1950–2001
Spouse(s) Eileen Mary Walsh (m. 1951; his death 2010)
Children 3

💰 Net worth: $5 Million (2024)

Lionel Jeffries, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry hailing from the United Kingdom, has left an indelible mark as an actor, director, and writer. With a remarkable career spanning several decades, his exceptional talent and commitment to his craft have earned him both critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. As of 2024, Lionel Jeffries' net worth stands at an estimated $5 million, a testament to his success and the countless contributions he has made to the world of film and theater. His varied roles and multifaceted skill set have solidified his place as one of the most respected and admired figures in the industry.

Biography/Timeline

1945

In 1945, he received a commission in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served in Burma at the Rangoon radio station during the Second World War, being awarded the Burma Star. (He blamed the humidity there for his hair loss at the age of 19.) He also served as a captain in the Royal West African Frontier Force.

1951

He was married to Eileen Mary Walsh from 1951 until his death. Their son and two daughters also survived him. His son Ty Jeffries is a Composer, lyricist and cabaret Artist. Lionel Jeffries' granddaughter is the Novelist and Playwright Amy Mason.

1968

He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He entered repertory at the David Garrick Theatre, Lichfield, Staffordshire for two years and appeared in early British television plays. Jeffries built a successful career in British films mainly in comic character roles and as he was prematurely bald he often played characters older than himself, such as the role of father to Caractacus Potts (played by Dick Van Dyke) in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), although Jeffries was actually six months younger than Van Dyke. His acting career reached a peak in the 1960s with leading roles in other films like Two-Way Stretch (1960), The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960), Murder Ahoy! (opposite Margaret Rutherford), First Men in the Moon (1964) and Camelot (1967).

1970

Jeffries turned to writing and directing children's films, including a well regarded version of The Railway Children (1970) and The Amazing Mr Blunden (1972). He was a member of the British Catholic Stage Guild.

1980

Jeffries had a dislike of television and its production values and shunned the medium for many years. He reluctantly appeared on television in an acting role in the 1980 London Weekend Television Dennis Potter drama Cream in My Coffee and realised that television production values were little different from those in the film industry; as a result he developed a belated career in television. He appeared in an episode of the Thames Television/ITV comedy-drama Minder in 1983, played a leading role in the situation comedy Roll Over Beethoven (Central Television/ITV) and appeared in an episode of Inspector Morse in 1990 (Central Television/Zenith/ITV). He starred as Tom (Thomas Maddisson) in the Thames/ITV situation comedy Tom, Dick and Harriet; during location filming for a 1983 episode, Jeffries and his co-stars Ian Ogilvy and Bridget Forsyth had to be rescued when a stunt involving a car went wrong.

2010

Jeffries retired from acting in 2001 and his health declined in the following years. He died on 19 February 2010 in a nursing home in Poole, Dorset. He had suffered from vascular dementia for the last twelve years of his life.

Some Lionel Jeffries images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.