AllMovie

Scottish stage actor Ivan Simpson made the first of his many film appearances in 1915. A favorite of theatrical luminary George Arliss, Simpson appeared in nine of Arliss' Hollywood vehicles, beginning with 1922's The Man Who Played God. His most memorable roles during this period included the Jewish business adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in 1929's Disraeli, and the smarmy cockney general factotum to the Rajah of Rukh in 1930's The Green Goddess. Outside of his association with Arliss, Simpson's other noteworthy roles included Lord Faulkner in the 1932 Clive Brook version of Sherlock Holmes. Ivan Simpson remained active until 1948, playing scores of minor parts as magistrates, pubkeepers, clerks, butlers, and professors.