Denis Shaw

Biography

Douglas "Denis" Findlay Shaw (7 February 1921 – 28 February 1971) was a British character actor who specialized in portraying villains. Shaw was born in Dulwich on 7 February 1921. In the 1950s and 1960s, he was frequently cast as villains in films and television shows, most notably as the German guard Priem in The Colditz Story (1955), as well as a number of British horror films including Jack the Ripper (1959), The Mummy (1959) and The Curse of the Werewolf (1961). He was cast in the leading role of The Great Van Robbery (1959) as the judo-throwing Interpol detective Caesar Smith. Shaw's television credits include The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Avengers, Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, The Prisoner, Sherlock Holmes and Z-Cars. Shaw died from a heart attack in London on 28 February 1971, at the age of 50. A familiar face around the bars of Soho in London, he is mentioned in Keith Waterhouse's play Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell.

Known For

The Mummy

as Mike

The Prisoner

as Shopkeeper

The Curse of the Werewolf

as Gaoler

The Avengers

as Murray

The Deadly Affair

as Wolfe - Publican

The Man Who Could Cheat Death

as Tavern Customer

The Colditz Story

as Priem

The Criminal

as Taxi Customer at Racetrack (uncredited)

The Pirates of Blood River

as Silver (uncredited)

Jack the Ripper

as Simes