Wikipedia / Bruce Seton
Wikipedia / Bruce Seton
Sir Bruce Lovat Seton, 11th Baronet (29 May 1909 – 28 September 1969) was a British actor and soldier. He is best remembered for his lead role in Fabian of the Yard.
Early life
Bruce Lovat Seton was born in Simla, British India, the younger of two sons of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Bruce Gordon Seton of Abercorn (18681934), 9th Baronet and his wife, Elma Armstrong (died 1960). He was educated at Edinburgh Academy and then trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
Military career
Seton was commissioned into the Black Watch in 1929 as a second lieutenant, but resigned his commission in 1932. A brief interruption in his acting career came during the Second World War and in November 1939 he held the rank of captain in the 10th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), ending the war as major (temporary). His service number was 44304 and he was awarded the Medal of Freedom.
Acting
Seton began his acting career in the chorus line at Drury Lane Theatre and starred in Ralph Ince's film Blue Smoke (1935) as Don Chinko.
He played Inspector Fabian of Scotland Yard in the television series Fabian of the Yard (1954–1956). The series was based on the career of the former Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Robert Fabian, who usually appeared briefly before the final fade-out to wind up the story.
Seton's last role was as the voice of Beadle in The Wonderful World of Disney (1962–1963).
He fenced and boxed in the Army and was a founder member with other actors of the Lord's Taverners, a charity which raises funds to support participation in cricket.
Later career
In 1963, on 7 February, the death of his brother, Alexander "Sandy" Hay Seton (who had no male heirs), Bruce became the 11th Seton baronet. As Bruce also had no male heirs at the time of his death, in 1969, the title passed to his cousin, Christopher Bruce Seton (1909–1988). His address in the 1940s was 15 Learmonth Gardens in western Edinburgh.
Personal life
Seton met actress Tamara Desni Willhelm (1911–2008) on the set of Blue Smoke in 1935, in which both had leading roles. He became her second husband in 1937 in London, and divorced in 1940.
He later married actress Antoinette Cellier (born Florence Antoinette Glossop Cellier). They had a daughter, Lydia Antoinette Gordon Seton (born 14 November 1941).
Selected filmography
Flame in the Heather (1935) – Murray
Blue Smoke (1935) – Don Chinko
The Vandergilt Diamond Mystery (1936) – Hardcastle
Wedding Group (1936) – Dr. Jock Carnegie
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1936) – Mark
Melody of My Heart (1936) – Jim Brent
The End of the Road (1936) – Donald Carson
Jack of All Trades (1936) – Dancer (uncredited)
Love from a Stranger (1937) – Ronald Bruce
Cafe Colette (1937) – Roger Manning
Racing Romance (1937) – Harry Stone
Fifty-Shilling Boxer (1937) – Jack Foster
Father Steps Out (1937) – Johnnie Miller
The Green Cockatoo (1937) – Madison – Tall Henchman
Weddings Are Wonderful (1938) – John Smith
You're the Doctor (1938) – Appleby
If I Were Boss (1938) – Steve
Miracles Do Happen (1939) – Rodney Gilmore
Annie Laurie (1939) – Jamie Turner
Old Mother Riley Joins Up (1939) – Lt. Travers
Lucky to Me (1939) – Lord 'Tiny' Tyneside
Return to Yesterday (1940) – Journalist (uncredited)
The Middle Watch (1940) – Captain Randall
The Curse of the Wraydons (1946) – Jack Wraydon / Spring-Heeled Jack
Bond Street (1948) – Sergeant
The Story of Shirley Yorke (1948) – Captain Sharp
Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948) – Allan Macrae (uncredited)
Scott of the Antarctic (1948) – Lt. H. Pennell R.N.
Look Before You Love (1948) – Johns
Whisky Galore! (1949) – Sergeant Odd
The Blue Lamp (1950) – PC Campbell
Paul Temple's Triumph (1950) – Bill Bryant
Seven Days to Noon (1950) – Brigadier Grant (uncredited)
Portrait of Clare (1950) – Lord Steven Wolverbury
Blackmailed (1951) – Supt. Crowe
Worm's Eye View (1951) – Squadron Leader Briarly
White Corridors (1951) – Policeman
High Treason (1951)
Take Me to Paris (1951) – Gerald Vane
Emergency Call (1952) – Sgt. Bellamy
The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1952) – Gordon Jayne
The Cruel Sea (1953) – Tallow
Mogambo (1953) – Wilson (uncredited)
Eight O'Clock Walk (1954) – D. C. I.
Doctor in the House (1954) – Police Driver (uncredited)
Delayed Action (1954) – Sellars
Man of the Moment (1955) – Fabian of the Yard (uncredited)
Breakaway (1956) – Webb
Morning Call (1957) – Inspector S.G. Brown
There's Always a Thursday (1957) – James Pelly
West of Suez (1957) – Major Osborne
The Crooked Sky (1957) – Inspector 'Mac' Macauley
Undercover Girl (1958) – Ted Austin
The Heart of a Man (1959) – River Police Inspector (uncredited)
Strictly Confidential (1959) – Inspector Shearing
Make Mine a Million (1959) – Supt. James
Violent Moment (1959) – Inspector Davis
The 39 Steps (1959) – Policeman on Train (uncredited)
Life in Danger (1959) – George, the landlord
John Paul Jones (1959) – 1st Villager
Carry On Constable (1960) – (uncredited)
Trouble with Eve (1960) – Col. Digby-Phillpotts
Operation Cupid (1960) – Representative
The League of Gentlemen (1960) – Patrolman (uncredited)
Just Joe (1960) – Charlie
Freedom to Die (1961) – Felix
Gorgo (1961) – Prof. Flaherty
Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog (1961) – Prosecutor
The Frightened City (1961) – Assistant Commissioner
Ambush in Leopard Street (1962) – Nimmo
The Pot Carriers (1962) – Prison Officer I / C Cell Block
Dead Man's Evidence (1962) – Colonel James Somerset
Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow (1963) – Beadle
Honours
7 February 1963 Baronet, 11th baronet, of Abercorn (cr. 1663)
1947 Medal of Freedom
Arms
Sources
References
External links