Colin Keith-Johnston

Colin Keith-Johnston (8 October 1896 – 3 January 1980) was a British actor born in London, the son of Robert Keith-Johnston and Jessy Macfie. His career encompassed stage and film work, and he maintained an active Broadway presence spanning from 1929 to 1956.

Before establishing himself as a stage actor, Keith-Johnston served as an officer in the Bedfordshire Regiment during World War One. He was awarded a Military Cross in the 1917 New Year Honours for actions described in his citation as follows: he rallied men from several units, led them forward, and captured numerous prisoners, remaining on duty despite sustaining three wounds.

On stage, Keith-Johnston took on the role of Stanhope in the first American production of Journey's End. In 1935, he portrayed Mr. Darcy in Helen Jerome's Broadway adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which ran at the Music Box Theatre. The production was a hit, and the role was notable for placing Darcy at the center of the love story and foregrounding his passion for and physical attraction to Elizabeth Bennet throughout the play. His Broadway credits also included Major Barbara, The Rats of Norway, The Dancer, The Autumn Garden, and Point of No Return, among other productions.

Keith-Johnston married Margaret Cookson, a cousin of actors Marjorie Browne and Joy Launor Heyes. Their son, Hugo Keith-Johnston, was born in 1954 and became a child actor, appearing in the BBC television series Not In Front of the Children in 1968 alongside Ronald Hines and Wendy Craig.