Donald Sinden - Actor Profile

Donald Sinden

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
8.5 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 9, 1923
Birth Place: Plymouth, Devon, England, UK

About Donald Sinden

​Sir Donald Alfred Sinden CBE (born 9 October 1923) is an English actor of theatre, film and television. Sinden was born in Plymouth, Devon, England, on 9 October 1923. The son of Alfred Edward Sinden and his wife Mabel Agnes (née Fuller), he grew up in the Sussex village of Ditchling, where their home ('The Limes') doubled as the local chemist shop. He was married to actress Diana Mahony from 1948 until her death in 2004. He lives near Tenterden, Kent. The couple had two sons: actor Donald Sinden, who died of lung cancer in 1996, and Marc Sinden who is a West End theatre producer. Early career He trained as an actor at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and made his first stage appearance at the Brighton Little Theatre (of which he later became President) in January 1941, playing Dudley in George and Margaret. He broke into professional acting after appearing with the Mobile Entertainments Southern Area company in modern comedies for the armed forces during the Second World War. Rank Organisation In 1953 he was contracted for seven years to the Rank Organisation at Pinewood Studios and subsequently starred in many outstanding British films of the 1950s including The Cruel Sea, Mogambo, Doctor in the House, Above Us The Waves, Doctor at Large, The Siege of Sidney Street, Twice Round the Daffodils and with a very young Adam Faith in Mix Me a Person. Description above from the Wikipedia article Donald Sinden, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Donald Sinden reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Donald Sinden's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 28% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Donald Sinden remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Wars of the Roses, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Donald Sinden Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Donald Sinden's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Donald Sinden.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2012 Run For Your Wife Man on Bus Flop Similar →
2003 The Accidental Detective Professor Stein Flop Similar →
2000 How Proust Can Change Your Life Duc d'Albufera Flop Similar →
1999 Alice in Wonderland Gryphon (voice) Average Similar →
1999 Nancherrow Robin Jarvis Average Similar →
1998 Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh Col. Pickering Flop Similar →
1998 Atatürk Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
1997 The Canterville Ghost Lord Dumbleton Flop Similar →
1997 An Audience with Ronnie Corbett - Hit Similar →
1996 The Treasure Seekers Old Wincott Flop Similar →
1996 The Canterville Ghost Mr. Umney Average Similar →
1995 Balto Doc (voice) Hit Similar →
1990 The Children Lord Wrench Flop Similar →
1985 The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio Self Average Similar →
1984 An Audience with Mel Brooks Self (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1981 Present Laughter Garry Essendine Flop Similar →
1981 All's Well That Ends Well King of France Average Similar →
1975 That Lucky Touch British Gen. Armstrong Average Similar →
1974 The Island at the Top of the World Sir Anthony Ross Hit Similar →
1973 Father Dear Father Philip Glover Flop Similar →
1973 The Day of the Jackal Mallinson Super Hit Similar →
1973 The National Health Mr. Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd Hit Similar →
1972 Rentadick Jeffrey Armitage Flop Similar →
1971 Villain Gerald Draycott Average Similar →
1968 The Judgement of Albion Voice Flop Similar →
1968 Decline and Fall ...of a Birdwatcher The Prison Governor Flop Similar →
1965 The Wars of the Roses Duke of York Super Hit Similar →
1962 Mix Me a Person Philip Bellamy, QC Average Similar →
1962 Twice Round the Daffodils Ian Richards Hit Similar →
1960 The Siege of Sidney Street Inspector Mannering Flop Similar →
1960 Your Money or Your Wife Pelham Butterworth Flop Similar →
1959 Operation Bullshine Lt. Gordon Brown Flop Similar →
1959 The Captain's Table Chief Officer Shawe-Wilson Average Similar →
1958 Rockets Galore Hugh Mander Average Similar →
1957 Doctor at Large Dr. Tony Benskin Average Similar →
1956 Tiger in the Smoke Geoffrey Leavitt Hit Similar →
1956 Eyewitness Wade Hit Similar →
1956 The Black Tent Col. Sir Charles Holland Average Similar →
1955 An Alligator Named Daisy Peter Weston Average Similar →
1955 Josephine and Men Alan Hartley Average Similar →
1955 Above Us the Waves Lieutenant Tom Corbett Average Similar →
1955 Simba Inspector Drummond Hit Similar →
1954 Mad About Men Jeff Saunders Average Similar →
1954 The Beachcomber Ewart Gray Average Similar →
1954 Doctor in the House Tony Benskin Hit Similar →
1954 You Know What Sailors Are - Flop Similar →
1953 A Day to Remember Jim Carver Hit Similar →
1953 Mogambo Donald Nordley Average Similar →
1953 The Cruel Sea Lockhart Hit Similar →
1948 Portrait from Life Minor Role Average Similar →

Donald Sinden - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Donald Sinden?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Donald Sinden is "The Wars of the Roses" with a rating of 8.5/10.

How many movies has Donald Sinden acted in?

Donald Sinden has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Donald Sinden?

Other notable films include "The Day of the Jackal", "Balto", and "The Cruel Sea".