Eric Portman born 13 July 1901 (d. 1969)Eric Portman was a distinguished English stage and film actor. He is probably best remembered for his roles in several films for Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger during the 1940s. He was in the top ten of Britain's biggest box office draws in 1942.
He started work in 1922 as a salesman in the menswear department at Marshall and Snelgrove's department store in Leeds and acted in the amateur Halifax Light Opera Society . He made his professional stage debut in 1924, before he was engaged by Lilian Baylis for the Old Vic Company. In 1928 he starred as Romeo in the rebuilt Old Vic and he forged a reputation as a noted Shakespearian actor.
In the 1930s, he began appearing in films - in 1935, he appeared in four films, including Maria Marten or Murder in the Red Barn.
Portman became a familiar British figure in films during and about World War II, such as One of Our Aircraft Is Missing, The Colditz Story, We Dive At Dawn, Squadron Leader X and A Canterbury Tale.
Later, his versatility and ominous manner was put to use in thrillers like The Mark of Cain (1947), Dear Murderer (1947), Daybreak (1947) and Corridor of Mirrors (1948). Portman's final film was Bryan Forbes' Deadfall (1967).
He also played Number Two in The Prisoner, episode Free for All, screened on 22 October 1967.
He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor (Dramatic) for his Broadway performance as the bogus Major, in Terence Rattigan's play Separate Tables in 1957.
He was a lifelong bachelor, who died at the age of 68 at his home in St Veep, Cornwall.
The phrase 'he was a lifelong bachelor' was often used in articles about Portman in fan magazines and in some obituaries. And it meant exactly what was implied.