Cyril Raymond

Cyril Raymond was an England-based British character actor. He has worked in dozens of films and television shows. On television appearances, the best-remembered role that he played was of Fred Jesson. He was the husband of Laura Jesson played by Celia Johnson The late English actress, Celia Elizabeth Johnson, >> Read More... in 1945 classic ‘Brief Encounter.’ Born as Cyril William North Raymond in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, he was raised in the Grand Hotel, Broad Street, Bristol. His parents used to work at the same hotel. When he was just seven, his father, Mr. Herbert Linton Raymond, passed away. He was raised all alone by his mother, Rose Raymond. He learned to act at the Tree’s Academy of Dramatic Art. Before coming to the world of acting, he served his nation by working in the military. He was a fighter controller in the Battle of Britain. He controlled the Kenley sector.

In the Battle of Britain, he served as an RAF fighter controller during the Second World War and due to his unbeatable work, he was honored with the rank of Wing Commander. He was also awarded the Order of British Empire (MBE) due to his extraordinary work towards his nation. He even played a role in the 1952 classic cult ‘Angels One Five’ where he played himself portraying the brave work that he did during the wartime. His acting career spanned over four decades where he played various roles ranging from a common civilian to an Army officer.

His work in some of the movies shows that how his military life helped him to play ruthless and brave as it was natural for him being a soldier himself. His movies such as ‘Night Alone,’ and ‘The Spy in Black’ followed with ‘Brief Encounter’ and ‘ Quartet Click to look into! >> Read More... ’ shows his variations in acting abilities. In his 1942 classic ‘The First of the Few,’ he portrayed a role of army personnel showing the RAF operations of the Second World War. Apart from acting, he was also a writer. He co-wrote the screenplay of ‘The Jack of Diamonds’ along with Nigel Patrick. In his personal life, he was a calm person. He was married twice throughout his life. First, on September 18, 1922, he got married to actress Iris Hoey at the Bristol register office. The couple had a son from this marriage named John North Blagrave.

The two got divorced in 1936. He married Gillian Pratt, his second wife in 1937. His passed away on March 20, 1973, leaving an example of proud and happy life for the rest of the world.