Nigel Bruce
Actor

Nigel Bruce Net Worth

He was also a keen golfer and a member of the exclusive Lakeside Country Club. Nigel Bruce died of a heart attack on October 8, 1953 in Santa Monica, California. Nigel Bruce was born in 1895 in Ensenada, Mexico to an English aristocratic family. He served in the British Army during WWI and was wounded, leading him to pursue a career in acting. He achieved a breakthrough in 1931 with the comedy "Springtime for Henry" and went on to star in a variety of roles, most notably as Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes films with Basil Rathbone. He was a prominent member of the English colony in Hollywood, captaining the cricket club established by C. Aubrey Smith and was a keen golfer. He passed away in 1953 in Santa Monica, California.
Nigel Bruce is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Soundtrack
Birth Day February 04, 1895
Birth Place  Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Mexico
Age 124 YEARS OLD
Died On 8 October 1953(1953-10-08) (aged 58)\nSanta Monica, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Pisces
Cause of death Heart attack
Occupation Actor
Years active 1920–1952
Spouse(s) Violet Pauline Shelton (1921–1953; his death)
Children 2
Relatives Sir Michael Bruce, 11th Baronet (brother) Julian Gilbey (great-grandson) Will Gilbey (great-grandson)

💰 Net worth

Nigel Bruce, a highly regarded actor and talented soundtrack artist, has gained both fame and financial success in the Mexican entertainment industry. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $100k and $1 million. This impressive range further validates Nigel Bruce's skill and popularity, reflecting the numerous successful projects he has been a part of throughout his career. With his notable contributions to both acting and music, Nigel Bruce continues to captivate audiences and solidify his place as a valued figure in Mexican entertainment.

Famous Quotes:

"If a mop bucket appeared in a scene, his foot would be inside it, and if by some sardonic twist of fate and the whim of director Roy William Neill he managed to stumble upon an important clue, he could be depended upon to blow his nose on it and throw it away."

Biography/Timeline

1856

Bruce was the second son of Sir william Waller Bruce, 10th Baronet (1856–1912) and his wife Angelica Lady Bruce (died 1917), daughter of General George Selby, Royal Artillery. Bruce was born in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, while his parents were on holiday there. His older brother was the author and adventurer Sir Michael Bruce. He was educated at the Grange, Stevenage and at Abingdon School, Oxfordshire. He served in France from 1914 as a lieutenant in the 10th Service Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and the Honourable Artillery Company, but was severely wounded at Cambrai the following year, with eleven bullets in his left leg, and spent most of the remainder of the war in a wheelchair.

1920

He made his first appearance on stage on 12 May 1920 at the Comedy Theatre as a footman in Why Marry? In October of that year, he went to Canada as stage manager to Henry V. Esmond and Eva Moore, also playing "Montague Jordan" in Eliza Comes to Stay; upon returning to England, he toured acting the same part. He appeared constantly onstage thereafter, and eight years later started also working in silent films. In 1934, he moved to Hollywood, later setting up home at 701 North Alpine Drive, Beverly Hills.

1921

Nigel Bruce was married from 1921 until his death to British Actress Violet Campbell (née Violet Pauline Shelton; 1892–1970) whom he always lovingly called "Bunny"; they had two daughters:

1934

Nigel Bruce typically played buffoonish, fuzzy-minded gentlemen. During his film career, he worked in 78 films, including Treasure Island (1934), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), Rebecca (1940), and Suspicion (1941).

1935

Bruce participated in two landmark films: Becky Sharp (1935), the first feature film in full Technicolor, and Bwana Devil (1952), the first 3-D feature. He uncharacteristically played a detestable figure in The Rains Came (1939) which became the first film to win an Oscar for special effects.

1939

Bruce's signature role was that of Dr. Watson in the 1939-1946 Sherlock Holmes film series with close friend Basil Rathbone as Holmes. Bruce starred as Watson in all 14 films of the series and over 200 radio programs of The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Although Watson often appears to be the older of the two main characters, Bruce was actually three years younger than his co-star Rathbone.

1946

The Rathbone-Bruce film series lapsed with the death of producer-director Roy william Neill in 1946. Since then, most major modern adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, especially since the 1970s, have consciously defied the popular stereotype, and depicted Watson faithfully as a capable man of action.

1953

Bruce died from a heart attack in Santa Monica, California in 1953, aged 58. He was cremated, and his ashes stored in the vault at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles.

1954

Bruce, known as "Willie" to his friends, was a leading member of the British film colony in Los Angeles, and was captain of the (mostly British) Hollywood Cricket Club. Unlike some of his contemporaries, and along with other British actors such as Basil Rathbone and Charlie Chaplin, Bruce maintained his British citizenship, despite long residence in the United States. He also retained his membership of London's Garrick Club and Buck's Club until his death. His final film, World for Ransom, was released posthumously in 1954.

Some Nigel Bruce 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.