Biography
Cyril William North Raymond was a British character actor. Born in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, he trained at Sir Herbert Tree's Academy of Dramatic Art and made his professional stage debut in 1914. He appeared in numerous West End plays and films over five decades, often in supporting roles as dependable professional men.
Raymond is best known for playing Fred Jesson, the husband of Celia Johnson's character, in the 1945 film Brief Encounter. His other screen credits include Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), The Spy in Black (1939), Dunkirk (1958) and Carry On Regardless (1961). During the Second World War he served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter controller and was awarded the MBE.
He was married to the actresses Iris Hoey and later Gillian Lind. Ill health led to his retirement in the 1960s; he died in 1973.
