Donald Pleasence Donald Pleasence, OBE (October 5, 1919 - February 2, 1995) was an English actor. His high work rate in international cinema earned him the distinction of being the most prolific film actor at the time of his death with over 500 screen credits. He was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of a stationmaster. Pleasence's acting career began in a 1939 production of Wuthering Heights, but was soon interrupted by his service in the Royal Air Force and a year in a German prisoner-of-war camp. He had been a conscientious objector at first, but later joined the Royal Air Force. He was shot down and taken prisoner and tortured by his captors. At another stage of his captivity he produced and acted in plays in prisoner of war camp.
He returned to acting after the war, and critics began to call him the "Man with the Hypnotic Eye". Perhaps because of this, and his bald head and quiet but intense voice, he specialised in insane and evil characters, including Heinrich Himmler and the Bond villain Blofeld. In his latter years he became known to a younger generation as Dr. Loomis in Halloween. His trademark voice may be credited to elocution lessons he had as a child.
Pleasence was married four times and had five daughters. He was married to Miriam Raymond 1941-1958 and had Angela and Jean. His 1959-1970 marriage to actress and singer Josephine Martin Crombie produced Lucy and Polly. He was married to Meira Shore 1970-1988 and they had Miranda. His last marriage to Linda (maiden name unknown) lasted until his death in 1995.
Donald Pleasence was awarded an OBE in 1993. He died in St. Paul de Vence, France from complications from heart valve replacement surgery.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
