Anthony Newley
About
Biography
Filmography
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Biography
Anthony George Newley was born into a working-class family, his father being a shipping clerk. His parents separated and he grew up mostly in the care of his mother. Newley applied to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, but found that the tuition was too expensive. Despite this, directors at the school saw him audition and were impressed enough to offer him a job as an office boy, which included free tuition. It was here that television producer Geoffrey de Barkus noticed him and cast him in the title role for his children's show, "The Adventures of Dusty Bales." He then was offered the part of the Artful Dodger in "Oliver Twist." As an older actor, he portrayed Matthew Mugg in the film adaptation of "Doctor Dolittle," and appeared in supporting roles in "Sweet November" and "Jazz Boat." His primary success, however, came as a vocalist and songwriter, with several hits on the U.K. pop chart including the Grammy Award-winning "What Kind of Fool am I?." He wrote the musicals "Stop the World - I Want to Get Off,"
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Music (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Misc. Crew (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Music (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1946
Made his film acting debut in the title role of "The Adventures of Dusty Bates"
1948
Had his breakthrough screen role as the Artful Dodger in "Oliver Twist," directed by David Lean
1956
First American film, "Above Us the Waves"
1961
Had his breakthrough stage production, the musical "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off," for which he co-wrote the book and score with Leslie Bricusse as well as directed and starred in the show, which opened in London before transferring to Broadway.
1964
Wrote the theme to the James Bond film "Goldfinger" with Leslie Bricusse
1964
Had his second stage success as the songwriter and star of "The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd"
1967
Co-starred in the film musical "Doctor Dolittle"
1969
Made his feature directorial debut, "Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?"
1971
Wrote songs for the children's musical "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," including "Candy Man," for which he received his sole Academy Award nomination
1971
Hosted his own ABC variety special "The Anthony Newley Show"
1971
Second feature as director, "Summertree"
1972
Wrote and starred in the British stage production "The Good Old Bad Old Days"
1975
Wrote the songs for and starred in the film musical "Mr. Quilp," based on the Charles Dickens' novel "The Old Curiosity Shop"
1983
Had the title role in the ill-fated stage musical biography "Chaplin," for which he also co-wrote the book
1983
Co-starred in the ABC miniseries "Malibu"
1985
Underwent treatment for renal cancer
1987
Final feature, "The Garbage Pail Kids Movie"
1990
Wrote, directed and starred in the stage musical "Once Upon a Song," produced at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Florida
1992
Was featured with his former wife Joan Collins in "Collins Meets Coward" (A&E)
1994
Appeared in the British TV series "Anna Lee"
1998
Cast as Toddy in the tour of the stage musical "Victor/Victoria," but withdrew after becoming ill with cancer
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