Biography
Roddy McDowall was a British-born American actor whose career spanned more than six decades. Born in London in 1928, he began acting as a child in British films before moving to the United States with his family during the Second World War. He made his Hollywood debut in How Green Was My Valley (1941) and appeared in other early successes including My Friend Flicka (1943) and Lassie Come Home (1943).
McDowall is best known for his roles in the original Planet of the Apes film series, playing Cornelius in Planet of the Apes (1968) and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), and Caesar in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). He later portrayed Galen in the Planet of the Apes television series. His other notable film credits include The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Fright Night (1985), alongside extensive stage, television and voice work. He also directed the 1970 film Tam-Lin and published books of his photography. McDowall died in 1998.
