David Niven (1910-1983) UK actor

[@Corinthian44]

David is often referred to as , the last of the English gentlemen . What a lovely way to be remembered !

[@devildoll9929]

If "gentleman" includes male members of the royal family, that doesn't seem like much of a compliment. In fact, the English class system with its weird distinction between knights and everyone else makes me quite happy I live in a country other than the U.K.. I can't imagine kissing some rich asshole's bottom just because he has a "Sir" at the beginning of his name.

[@billythedog-309]

@@devildoll9929 Only an ignoramus would think that the definition of a gentleman includes anybody from the upper class.

[@devildoll9929]

@@billythedog-309 "Gentlemen" aren't from the upper class? I suppose that if you want to believe that, you're welcome to it. For my part, I'll continue in my ignorant notion that "gentlemen" are generally associated with the (British) upper classes.

[@billythedog-309]

@@devildoll9929 Some Americans don't try to rectify their ignorance, they revel in it.

[@devildoll9929]

@@billythedog-309 What an insulting person you are. Quit hating so much.

[@77777aol]

'He made a porter feel like a king!' How we make others feel is the measure of us. Niven's acting, writing, wit and charm made the world a better place.

[@Skywalker8562]

What year was this interview? I surmise it was on the BBC because they did not get colour on the BBC until 2004.

[@swingmanic]

@@Skywalker8562 BBC2 broadcast its first colour pictures from Wimbledon in 1967. By mid 1968, nearly every BBC2 programme was in colour. Six months later, colour came to BBC1. By 1969, BBC1 and ITV were regularly broadcasting in colour.

[@Skywalker8562]

@@swingmanic What is SKY TV in the UK? Are they affiliated with any other networks. I believe I have seen correspondents from SKY carrying on live conversations with reporters from FOX.

[@alamore5084]

Very well said!

[@sarahgodwin-xd1wr]

Who is the commentator?

[@Whippy99]

A true gentleman. Many of today's 'stars' would do well to watch this - and learn.

[@harpothehealer]

Yes very well said

[@phmwu7368]

indeed today's pointless "celebrities" ... never forget David Niven served as an Officer in WW II and became a LtColonel !

[@dnorfed]

The finest storyteller ever, so entertaining, a sad day when David left this mortal coil. A pure gentleman beyond all others. RIP DAVID 🙏🙏🙏

[@Philmoscowitz]

"mortal coil." that's a good turn of phrase. did you coin it?

[@burlesummers6539]

@@Philmoscowitz ,k,,km,,kk,k,k,kk,kkm'kklkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkikkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk🎉🎉kk',kk'''!,,',k,,,kk,,k,,,,k,lkk,,k$3

[@jeremygreen2198]

David, Niven was, apart from anything else, a, great raconteur and had a, great sense of humour READING HIS, WONDERFUL BOOKS HE, WROTE AND HAD TO STOPVINTERNJTTENTKYCALLVTHEXTIMEXXLAUGHING S SO MUCH I WAS ALMOST SICK! DAVID, NIVEN WAAS, A REAL TOUCH OF CLASS,, MELB AUSTRALIA,

[@dnorfed]

@@Philmoscowitz no, I didn’t

[@Philmoscowitz]

@@dnorfed Do you know it's origin?

[@jameshenshall4232]

I wish there were more interviews like those of Parkinson of the 1970's and 1980's. A conversation and intelligent, mature discussion - not silly laugh-a-minute joke telling and a compulsion to make people laugh rather than think. A great loss. Thanks, Michael Parkinson, David Niven.

[@westhamunited67]

Totally agree❤❤

[@jameshenshall4232]

Thank you very much. Yes, I have seen almost all Michael Parkinson interviews. Thanks for your comment. @@oscarwilde5473

[@markh9749]

I met David Niven once, quite by chance, in a London street near the Connaught Hotel. I politely asked him for an autograph and, as he signed for me, he couldn't have been nicer or kinder. That debonair, charming and self-deprecating man you see in this programme is exactly the man I met. Though I was in his company no more than a few minutes 40+ years ago, I have never forgotten meeting him.

[@indigocheetah4172]

That's how I would have imagined David Niven. There's something vulnerable and sweet natured about his manner.

[@elm-bp8tn]

Long gone are the true gentlemen. First class all the way.

[@Pete-z6e]

elm76932 , sadly.

[@1952jodianne]

Another gentleman of old Hollywood was Basil Rathbone. Although often cast as a villain, or as the world's favorite Sherlock Holmes, his autobiography reveals a truly gentle, kind-hearted man. Rathbone's autobiography is somewhat unique, it tells us all about Hollywood's personalities & lifestyle of the Golden Age, yet he has nothing but good to say about anyone, no back-stabbing, rumor-mongering, or skull-duggery, which, unfortunately, has become a staple of many movie stars' autobiographies.

[@dawngilmour6961]

A true gentleman. He is among those stars who earned their place in Hollywood and will never be forgotten. But he and all our true stars our Legends are immortalised in movies for us fans to enjoy for many years to come. And thanks to KZbin we can enjoy interviews etc too.... xxxx

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

He's someone I think the younger generation should discover as his charm, storytelling and his life in general is universally fascinating.

[@wardis8303]

David oozed class, a true gentleman, and so entertaining to listen to, I loved his books. RIP David, thank you 🙏🙏

[@MaureenDeVries-wd9mh]

Yes, his books were very entertaining.

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

Pure class. Compare to today's "celebrities". So called stars. David Niven was marvellous in any film or TV programme. Old style original of the species Great! God rest him.

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Wondeful vid. Thanks so much for this amazing compilation.

[@HaydnGuite-c4s]

A brilliant actor and a true gentleman. One of those people who if they were at a Christmas party, they'd be telling a story and everyone would be listening. He was polite, kind, generous, friendly and courteous. There aren't that many people like this man nowadays Goodbye Mr Niven ❤ 😊

[@peterlewis3540]

A friend of ours, used to work as a senior member of check in staff, at Heathrow airport some years ago, and she alway's recounts what a true gentleman David Niven always was. The public always assume that famous personalities who portray great warmth and friendship, are always true to their character, but having been told how polite and welcoming David Niven was in real life, only makes his lasting memory a special one.

[@roslynporter7462]

When my dad was alive, he could have easily passed as David Niven's twin to a T. They have the same smile, facial features and smile and even the mustache. The build and style of dress and the same walk. Only thing different is that my dad was born in Scotland and even though he's been gone for 52yrs now, I still miss him very much. Sorry to have raved on but the likeness between the two is quite uncanny and stirs up most precious heartfelt memories every time I see David Niven. Peace and Blessings 💖

[@typower9]

Your father could have been related to Niven since (as you will know), Niven is a Scottish name.

[@roslynporter7462]

@@typower9 Gosh, I never thought of that and I didn't know that Niven was a Scottish name so thank you very much for telling me. My father's likeness to David was truly uncanny, he even had the same skinny mustache and smile and I still miss him very much. Thank you for your reply Kindest Regards to you and yours 💞

[@Сергій-ц8о]

@​roslynporter7462 Its a fact, that David Niven WAS born in Scotland ! Have you ever done an Ancestry search? Look up a program series called, "Who do you think you are?" Its a great education for researching ancestry. It could easily be that your family is related to David Niven.

[@johnnydtractive]

This is a great tribute to Niven--just let him talk. Thankyou so much for sharing this.

[@saintetienne755]

Born at the right time of glamour and excess where the dapper English gentleman could make his mark - it's just sad he's no longer around

[@haqnawazkhan813]

A fine Actor and a true Gentleman. Around the world in Eighty Days , The Guns of Navarone and The sea wolves are my favourite of his many movies. Rest In Peace David Niven Sir and Thank You, A very big Thank You to George Pollen for Sharing.

[@evelyn7881]

He won an Oscar for Separate Tables. Played against type. Great performance.

[@allenmontrasio8962]

I must have read each of his books six or seven times over. Such a mine of anecdotes and funny stories.

[@antoniaburns3522]

Darling, wonderful David. Gentleman, friend, actor and storyteller. So very missed, even by those who never knew him, including myself. I hope one day, when it is my time, he will meet me, as actress Maggie Smith said he did, when her flight was very overdue, with a bottle of champagne and a huge hug. Until then. X.

[@catman8670]

David lived an exciting and interesting life for sure, glad he became an actor! ❤️👍😎

[@DavidChristieCareerCafe]

"It's been such fun". David Niven was my model as I was growing up; both classy and humorous. I still strive for both.

[@oceania68]

David was one of the best and one of my favourites, rip.

[@Skywalker8562]

Great soldier also...graduate of Sandhurst.

[@tanyachavis2578]

Who doesn’t love David Niven in everything? Can anyone compare him to anyone else? He exhibits electric class. To this day!

[@freddiem8801]

Brilliant actor, a wonderful story teller 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 and with a great memory. He remembers the Hollywood years and names and dates, I could listen to him all day.

[@VickersDoorter]

A Matter of Life and Death is one of the finest films of all time. It is also from a colour point of view one of the most beautiful films to watch.

[@Isleofskye]

Wonderful video. I love the fact that it is mostly David speaking...

[@chickapey]

I love how he speaks. What a gentleman

[@vanessahawarden9028]

An absolute legend and Cliff M was the most brilliant and intelligent interviewer ever

[@jameshenshall4232]

A beautiful post. Thank you for compiling and posting this collection of interviews. I have just finished reading Bring on the Empty Horses. He wrote effortlessly, humoursly and cadence. Many funny and insightful stories in that book. Many thanks for this post!!!

[@gj003f6898]

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.

[@andydixon2980]

That's very profound. Hats off to you if these are your wise words.

[@gj003f6898]

@@andydixon2980 I have to confess that they were from a quotation from someone else. But they seemed rather fitting. Thank you all the same.

[@H4CK61]

He made a porter feel like a KING. Says it all what a man.

[@MaryHemmings]

Love his books. Next table at fancy restaurant Montreal . My jaw dropped . He gave a gracious smile. Dropped my breadstick.

[@אילייןלוי]

Loved David..what a gentleman,dont see that anymore😢❤

[@CambridgeEducatedMan]

I met this brilliant man at a function and he was spouting off his tales of Hollywood and his days in the military... I was so sad when he passed away. The world lost a true gentleman!!!

[@mikeos1]

I met him at Nice airport at the Hertz rental desk, early 1980s. As he was turning away I said hello Mr Niven. He shook my hand and said "happy to meet you". Perfect gentleman.

[@cynthiaennis3107]

What a fabulous memory of him!

[@spencermoore2468]

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL INSIGHT INTO DAVID NIVEN'S LIFE. HE WAS SUCH AN ADORABLE PERSON, WITH A TRULY AMAZING MEMORY AND A FANTASTIC STORY TELLER.

[@TheHeraclion]

I couldn't agree with you more - when I was young I had the biggest crush on him. What a glorious voice.

[@Isleofskye]

You are 100% right Spencer but no need to shout, my friend :)

[@cynthiaennis3107]

@@Isleofskye maybe he has trouble seeing... Some people use all caps for that purpose.

[@Isleofskye]

@@cynthiaennis3107 You might well be right...

[@indigocheetah4172]

@@cynthiaennis3107, as I have noticed when people are visually impaired , they use cap lock.

[@bold810]

An incredible Author, I highly recommend him to read. I envy him .

[@08CARIB]

I've stumbled on his interviews, and I can't stop watching him!

[@Isleofskye]

Serendipity...

[@rogerlephoque3704]

It was in the late 1970s and I was stuck in a London cab, going no where in traffic, just outside the entrance to the great Connaught Hotel, off Grosvenor Square. Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a huddle of 3 or 4 men all of whom were convulsed by laughter. Further scrutiny revealed that this mirth-induced gaggle was being led by none other than David Niven who evidently was engaging the hotel's top hatted doormen in rollicking banter. A great Scottish/French gentleman making the world a better place.

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Thank you for sharing this. He was wonderful.

[@rogerlephoque3704]

@@zero_bs_tolerance8646 I did some retro fact checking and discovered that his birth certificate indicates that he was born in England and that the apparent affinity with Scotland was a little bit of dramatic license on his part! I seem to recall from reading his hilarious memoirs (The Moon's a Balloon) that his mother was French. So we have a great English & French gentleman. Scotland is bereft, no doubt.

[@RitaBowman-n9o]

This. Just was amazing so good to watch a lovely interview I miss these great people

[@alamore5084]

Lovely documentary of David Niven. Thank you for sharing.

[@puhtube]

He was a very decent person and a good actor. A gentleman!

[@thewatcher077]

My Mother died many years ago at age 92. She was never a book reader, more newspapers and magazines. But she loved David Niven and bought his book, "The Moon's a Balloon." She read it and loved it. She asked whether I would like to read it. (I got the impression she wanted me to.) She gave me the book and when I opened it there were all these words blacked out throughout the book! She didn't want me to see the "swear" words. (I was in my 20s.) The book was unreadable with all the censoring. But she always held on to that book. She loved David Niven.

[@DougsterCanada1]

Aw... bless your mother's soul, and your heart! Thanks for sharing a cute story!

[@mjm290853]

I hope that you revisited that book and the following book, "Bring on the empty horses ", a formidable story teller and someone who would be top of the list at my ultimate dinner table guests

[@patmullarkey7659]

@@mjm290853 I watched several old interviews with him and he WAS a great storyteller, and immensely likeable.

[@karensnowden962]

Lovely story thnx for sharing .

[@Skywalker8562]

@Valerie Texan Aren't they all?

[@pipcorteen874]

My father met him during army days. Yes, found him charming and funny!

[@madeleinegeraghty2916]

He was just fabulous. Great English gentleman with a beautiful voice ,amazing and funny witt ,an eye for the ladies !! Such charm !! 😍

[@khalidcompany7717]

RIP Great actor of glorious days of Hollywood Stay bless all

[@Ionabrodie69]

He may have acted in Hollywood but he was English…🙄🇬🇧

[@georgiaraynes1421]

How wonderfully honest he is. Self deprecating but not to draw sympathy. What a nice guy he was. Have to be honest......had a bit of a thing for him when I was a girl. He was well over 40 years older than me so he must have had something

[@craigdavidson2278]

Simply a class act.

[@madeleinedonaldson4422]

Those were the days.A true Gentleman, great actor and author❤🎉❤

[@robg71]

Charm, Style and talent. The 6 year difference from 1975 -81. He really aged. A remarkable Gentleman.

[@wenglishsal]

Bless his heart, David was starting to show early signs of the Motor Neuron Disease that eventually 'got the better of him'. People thought he was drunk, because he started to slur his words.. Such a shame, because he was an awesome raconteur.. Thanks for the laughter and wit David Niven.. My favourite film, apart from '80 Days around the World', is 'A Matter of Life or Death'.. It's absolutely wonderful and mixes Black and White with Colour film, I think one of the few that did apart from the Wizard of Oz....

[@stevezissou2800]

Motor neuron disease

[@joycepiantes8383]

He was so great.

[@SuperGrimupnorth]

The times make the man.. Regarding Niven it produced a true patriot, gentlemen/leader & such a talented actor 💯

[@gmetayern]

He was an extremely charming man and a great actor.

[@harpothehealer]

Its amazing how much unwitting influence this actor had upon a lot of people.Ii remember reading the Moon's a Balloon as a teenager and later in my twenties employing some of his ideas with disastrous results. He was one of a kind brilliant.

[@stevebartley628]

At his funeral the largest wreath was from the porters at Heathrow Airport.. ‘To the finest gentleman who ever walked these halls ‘

[@nongthip]

If you ever want to know the quintessential definition of an "English Gentleman" look no further. Recommended reading: "The Moon's a Balloon" and "Bring on the Empty Horses".

[@BubbafromSapperton]

I've read both countless times over 40 years 👍

[@gmaureen]

I was in my teens when those books hit the shelves in the US. I bought both, paperback editions, and read with total amazement. He told wonderful stories and his humor was superb. I loved his movies on late night TV but had no idea how talented he was until I read those books. Great man.

[@samanthaguillaume8174]

David Niven and Peter Ustinov in Death on the Nile - brilliant!

[@davidthompson6834]

A matter of life and death my all time favourite film

[@xaraxania]

mine too

[@jimduffy7199]

Mine too.

[@edmundcharles5278]

A man and time of great class and refinement! Remember these times and people well for you will not see their king again !

[@carlkane653]

i can remember very well when he died very sad god rest his soul.

[@RipperBravo]

As a 14 year old, I remember my mothers then partner giving me a leg up to look into his back garden, aged 16 in 2004 in the South of France. An extraordinary man, “they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.”

[@davidthompson6834]

A beautiful human being

[@anne-elizabethmcgeary1023]

The quintessential charming Pisces!🐟

[@peterfeltham5612]

A real 'one off'' actor and human being,where are they now.

[@gerikyte3286]

.i loved him..funny man

[@devildoll9929]

He was magnificent as the creepy Major in "Separate Tables." He digs so deep into the character, you completely forget he's David Niven. And by the end of the movie, he manages to elicit considerable sympathy for a man who has done some fairly unacceptable things.

[@michaelh5416]

Terrific profile of a great actor

[@mikekennedy5470]

A true survivor most definitely..

[@robertbrown-qf8xy]

Mr. Niven was a class act all-round: consummate actor, gentleman and patriot. Pure character and class.

[@helloschoales]

Beautiful

[@SheenaLees]

When 12, I met David at Heathrow 1966 and he allowed me to take a picture. ❤

[@gabrielletanner5339]

I remember this interview, people thought he'd been drinking, because his words where slurred, more noticeable then than now. It was the start of his illness and he died 2 years later.

[@gomezgomez9665]

I love him so much x he's Devine!!

[@lynnedelacy2841]

One of my favourite films A Matter of Life and Death

[@leonharrison800]

A very handsome man.

[@celiabeverton4514]

Loved this man so dignified

[@davidkemp3154]

My favorite actor when I was 7 in early 60s.

[@johnpritchard5410]

Whatta guy! He was there on D-Day.

[@kalyansubramani7076]

Just the English language coming out of Mr. Niven's mouth. It is musical. Why don't people talk like this anymore?

[@georgiaraynes1421]

It's the cosmopolitan influence and American tv. There are so many accents which aren't English and Americans destroy the English language from our point of view. Shame. It's great to hear English spoken properly......I miss it. Have you noticed that even the queens accent has changed? I think Charles is posher than her now.....

[@vrccb]

Lack of pride and education

[@cahillgreg]

@@georgiaraynes1421 Americans raised the bar on spoken English. English in the mouth of the English is not so much an accent as a speech impediment.

[@1952jodianne]

@@cahillgreg To paraphrase the great Irish-born British playwright, George Bernard Shaw, the British & the Americans are two peoples separated by a common language.

[@MaureenDeVries-wd9mh]

We've been "dumb-down."

[@bluewrenreilly129]

So lovable.Very intelligent too.

[@mariabanholzer7942]

What a charming men !!!!

[@karrinwilley8079]

Have any of you read his books?? If not run, run, run out to find them!! "The Moon is a Balloon " & " Bring on the Empty Horses". They are wonderful, soo witty & full of heartbreaking honesty & Hollywood history & stars who were human beings & friends, with flaws & kindness. Find them....❤

[@phillipecook3227]

" It's been such fun I've been so lucky". You can't have a better valedictory. He really was extraordinarly lucky and he knew it: not only was he amongst the tiny, tiny handful of extras who achieved stardom but he built a whole career around playing himself. Unsurprisingly in his last interview you can see signs of the cruel disease which would kill him.

[@nigelbenton880]

Wonderful image at 29 seconds - Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Bob Hope and DN.

[@johnnydtractive]

Isn't it fabulous. And you can tell from Niven's expression that it's something he's said that's got Gable & Grant cracking up.

[@alexisarismendi7424]

A real gentleman

[@Sebastianmelmothuk]

The surreal Thing about hollywood is that all the greatest Actors were and still are British

[@elm-bp8tn]

Gianni Telesca so true!

[@Ionabrodie69]

Yes they were. 😊👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Interesting how he gives the tie to the interviewer.

[@billadair3260]

His daughter Finona was a dead ringer for my daughter Amber. I wrote him and sent photos of her to him. Niven wrote back and I still have that letter.

[@rosienorton665]

He was utterly charming and a thoroughly nice man ❤ Terrible that he got MND

[@danielw5850]

"...was not a very good soldier..." : David Niven NEVER discussed his service in WW2, but served in a covert recce unit, ahead of the advance across NW Europe; I think he may have been a very good soldier!

[@dirkmeatwhistle3552]

Maybe not a good soldier in the conventional sense but maybe a very good soldier in unconventional operations...

[@cynthiaennis3107]

He did on The Dick Cavett Show, a bit.

[@SilverSunPublishing]

I just read a biography on Niven. He felt that he wasn't that good during his first enlistment, when he was quite young and there was little to do. However, when he enlisted during WWII, he was extremely responsible and showed great leadership. He also did a lot of special ops work. He reached of rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

[@angelaegan7511]

They don't make them like that anymore and, furthermore, he was a dog lover! ❤

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Unsurprisingly, Ian Fleming wanted Niven to play James Bond.

[@mikewinston8709]

Modest, erudite, urbane and the master of the understatement. Perfection. So unlike the preening coxcombs of modern Hollywood…..

[@Сергій-ц8о]

@mikewinger5521. Did you read his autobiographies? What was your opinion? Did you read David Irving? That is fascinating!

[@mikewinston8709]

@@Сергій-ц8о Yes I did read them and loved them. Obviously I understand the accusation that they were well told and highly polished anecdotes, but still, great fun. Fun fact, I live a mile or so from where he went to Brownings school……still a tiny little village today.

[@vincenthewlett4329]

i highly suggest if you havent read " the moons a balloon " or " bring on the empty horses" both are fantastic books, and you will laugh .....

[@ianclarke5404]

Love the moons a balloon and bring on the empty horses . It helps having an interesting life of course but stars do tell a good story . George melly too with Rum bum and concertina .

[@paddybpaddyb9940]

When I lived in St Jean Cap Ferrat I used to walk past his house most days on that footpath which is named after him, what a gent.

[@RipperBravo]

I remember being given a leg up and looking over the wall into his old back garden there in 2004. Beautiful place.

[@michaelgibson4705]

David Niven was a great favourite of mine,I stumbled across his former house in Cap Ferrat outside the house is now called Place Niven.I also met by chance a lady who typed his drafts for the books she confirmed he was a lovely man,A true gentleman

[@Tchernobog]

in my top 10

[@lufe8773]

During the early part of WW2 David Niven returned to England from America and enlisted in the army when he could have avoided the danger and hardships

[@billhuber2964]

Very classy man.

[@carollund8251]

My favorite is The Bishop's Wife

[@ianpurdie2235]

His books were even better. If you haven't read them before, try and find copies. Try not to fall out of bed laughing as I usually did with his books. Ditto Michael Caine.

[@69JayBee]

Hi what would you recommend. Also other autobiographies you think are worth a read. Thanks

[@noelnicholls1894]

Bring on the empty horses

[@1952jodianne]

@@69JayBee Cannot recall the title, but Basil Rathbone's autobiography is excellent: funny, informative, & fascinating.