The Resume

(August 5, 1887-November 5, 1972)
Born in Wheathampstead, England, United Kingdom
Birth name was John Reginald Owen
Appeared in the films 'The Letter' (1929), 'Sherlock Holmes' (1932), 'A Study in Scarlet' (1933), 'Of Human Bondage' (1934), 'A Tale of Two Cities' (1935), 'Rose Marie' (1936), 'A Christmas Carol' (1938), 'Woman of the Year' (1942), 'Mrs. Miniver' (1942), 'Random Harvest' (1942), 'National Velvet' (1944), 'Captain Kidd' (1945), 'The Three Musketeers' (1948), 'Five Weeks in a Balloon' (1962), 'The Thrill of It All' (1963), 'Mary Poppins' (1964) and 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' (1971)
Appeared on Broadway in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1926), 'The Three Musketeers' (1928), 'Through the Years' (1932), 'Affairs of State' (1950) and 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' (1972)

Why he might be annoying:

He was erroneously reported dead due to a mix-up with reports of the death of William Jennings Bryan's son-in-law, Major Reginald Owen (1927).
He was married three times, divorced twice.
Although he portrayed Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Scrooge, he was overshadowed in those roles by Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and Alastair Sim, respectively.
He was cast as Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol' only because Lionel Barrymore had to drop out at the last minute after breaking his hip.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was one of Hollywood's busiest character actors, appearing in over a hundred films.
He is the only (as of 2011) actor to have portrayed both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the movies.
In addition to portraying Holmes in 'A Study in Scarlet,' he was a co-author of the screenplay.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 38]
• Ernst Lubitsch Films
• I Died in 1972 (Ranked: 85)
• I Portrayed a King
• I Portrayed Dr. John Watson
• I Portrayed Scrooge
• I Portrayed Sherlock Holmes
• I was Falsely Reported Dead
• Known By a Middle Name
• Mary Poppins [1964]
• Myra Breckinridge [1970]
• Profiles 31751-32000 (Ranked: 31788)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 23 Votes: 13.04% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 56 Votes: 53.57% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 95 Votes: 58.95% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 41.18% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying