# Ray Milland

> Welsh-American actor and film director (1907–1986)

**Wikidata**: [Q181774](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181774)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Milland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ray-milland

## Summary
Ray Milland was a Welsh-American actor and film director, best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in *The Lost Weekend* (1945). He was a versatile performer who worked across film, television, and stage, contributing to genres ranging from drama to science fiction and film noir.

## Biography
- Born: January 3, 1907, in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales
- Nationality: Welsh (by birth), later American citizen
- Education: Neath Grammar School
- Known for: Acting, directing, and producing in Hollywood and television
- Employer(s): Paramount Pictures, MGM, Universal, RKO, and various independent productions
- Field(s): Acting, directing, screenwriting, producing

## Contributions
Ray Milland made significant contributions to the entertainment industry as an actor, director, and screenwriter. His career spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in more than 100 films and directed over 20. His most acclaimed performance came in *The Lost Weekend* (1945), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He also directed films such as *The Late Show* (1977) and wrote screenplays, including for *The Miniver Story* (1950). Milland was instrumental in shaping mid-20th-century Hollywood, particularly through his work in psychological dramas, thrillers, and Westerns.

## FAQs
**What are some of Ray Milland's most famous films?**  
Some of his most notable films include *The Lost Weekend* (1945), for which he won an Oscar, *Dial M for Murder* (1954), *The Long Wait* (1954), and *A Study in Terror* (1965). He also starred in several science fiction films like *The Man from Planet X* (1951) and *The Lost World* (1960).

**Did Ray Milland win any major awards?**  
Yes, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for *The Lost Weekend* (1945). He also received a National Board of Review Award for Best Actor and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

**Was Ray Milland involved in directing or writing?**  
Yes, in addition to acting, Milland directed multiple films including *The Late Show* (1977) and *When the Girls Take Over* (1966). He also contributed to screenwriting, notably for *The Miniver Story* (1950).

**What genres did Ray Milland work in?**  
He worked across numerous genres including drama, thriller, mystery, crime, film noir, Western, science fiction, horror, adventure, war, comedy, and romance. His versatility allowed him to take on roles in both serious and light-hearted productions.

**Where did Ray Milland work?**  
Milland worked primarily in Hollywood, with major studios like Paramount Pictures, MGM, Universal, and RKO. He also appeared in British films early in his career and later worked in television, including guest appearances on shows like *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour*.

## Why They Matter
Ray Milland’s influence on Hollywood and global cinema is significant. As a leading man of the 1940s and 1950s, he brought depth and nuance to his roles, particularly in psychological dramas like *The Lost Weekend*, which tackled alcoholism—a bold subject at the time. His Academy Award win elevated the film's cultural impact and demonstrated the power of cinema to address social issues. Milland also helped shape television in its early years, appearing in numerous TV movies and series, making him a bridge between classic Hollywood and the emerging medium of television. His directorial and writing efforts further solidified his role as a multifaceted artist, influencing both film and television storytelling.

## Notable For
- Academy Award for Best Actor – *The Lost Weekend* (1945)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- National Board of Review Award for Best Actor
- Over 100 film appearances across multiple genres
- Directed more than 20 films, including *The Late Show* (1977)
- Screenwriter for *The Miniver Story* (1950)
- Early television appearances, including *Lux Video Theatre* and *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour*
- Prolific career spanning over five decades
- Worked with major studios including Paramount, MGM, and Universal
- Versatility across genres including Westerns, film noir, and science fiction
- Dual citizenship: Welsh (by birth) and American (by naturalization)

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Ray Milland, born Alfred Reginald Jones on January 3, 1907, in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, was educated at Neath Grammar School. He adopted the stage name "Ray Milland" early in his career, derived from his Welsh surname and his mother's maiden name. His early life in Wales shaped his formative years before he moved to London to pursue a career in the arts.

### Career Beginnings
Milland began his career in the UK, appearing in British silent films such as *The Hug* (1927) and *The Love Game* (1928). He transitioned to sound films and made his American debut in *The Man from Downing Street* (1941). His early Hollywood roles included appearances in *The Major and the Minor* (1942) and *The Uninvited* (1944), which established him as a leading man.

### Breakthrough and Peak Career
His breakthrough came with *The Lost Weekend* (1945), where he portrayed an alcoholic writer. This performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, making it one of the most significant roles of his career. He continued to star in high-profile films such as *Dial M for Murder* (1954), *The Long Wait* (1954), and *A Study in Terror* (1965). Milland also appeared in several science fiction films, including *The Man from Planet X* (1951) and *The Lost World* (1960), showcasing his range.

### Directorial and Writing Work
In addition to acting, Milland directed films such as *The Late Show* (1977) and *When the Girls Take Over* (1966). He also contributed to screenwriting, notably for *The Miniver Story* (1950). His directorial work often focused on television movies and low-budget features, reflecting the changing landscape of entertainment in the 1960s and 1970s.

### Television Career
Milland made numerous appearances on television, including episodes of *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour*, *Lux Video Theatre*, and *The Dick Powell Theatre*. He also starred in TV movies like *The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne* (1980) and *The Night Strangler* (1972), demonstrating his adaptability to the small screen.

### Genre Versatility
Milland worked across a wide range of genres, including:
- **Drama**: *The Lost Weekend*, *The Major and the Minor*
- **Thriller/Mystery**: *Dial M for Murder*, *A Study in Terror*
- **Western**: *The Long Wait*, *The Oregon Trail*
- **Science Fiction**: *The Man from Planet X*, *The Lost World*
- **Horror**: *The Uninvited*, *The Premature Burial*
- **Comedy**: *The Major and the Minor*, *Please Murder Me!*
- **War**: *The Story of Dr. Wassell*, *The Pride and the Passion*
- **Film Noir**: *The Lost Weekend*, *Ministry of Fear*

### Awards and Recognition
- **Academy Award for Best Actor** – *The Lost Weekend* (1945)
- **National Board of Review Award for Best Actor**
- **Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor** (nominated)
- **Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame**

### Legacy and Influence
Ray Milland’s legacy lies in his ability to adapt to evolving entertainment mediums, from silent films to television. His Oscar-winning performance in *The Lost Weekend* remains a landmark in cinema history, addressing mental health and addiction with unprecedented honesty. His work in both film and television helped shape mid-century American entertainment, influencing future generations of actors and directors.

### Personal Life and Later Years
Milland spent his later years in the United States, maintaining a home in California. He passed away on March 10, 1986, in Torrance, California. His career spanned from 1929 to 1985, during which he remained a consistent presence in Hollywood and on television. He was married twice, first to Muriel Frances Cooper (1938–1948) and later to Emily Gerdes (1952 until his death).

### Cultural Impact
Ray Milland’s work continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and genre diversity. His portrayal of complex characters, particularly in psychological dramas, set a standard for serious acting in Hollywood. His influence is evident in the continued study of his films in cinema courses and retrospectives.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/ray-milland)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. MusicBrainz
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. SNAC
9. Internet Broadway Database
10. Find a Grave
11. Discogs
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. CONOR.SI
14. The Movie Database
15. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data