James Stephenson
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James Stephenson (April 14, 1889 – July 29, 1941) was an actor.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1940 | The Letter | Howard Joyce |
| 1941 | Shining Victory | Dr. Paul Venner |
British stage actor James Stephenson made his film debut in 1937 at the age of 49 with parts in four films. Warner Brothers signed him the following year, and he began playing urbane villains and disgraced gentlemen.
Stephenson's big break came when director William Wyler cast him, in spite of studio resistance, in The Letter (1940) opposite Bette Davis. Stephenson's Oscar-nominated turn as self-sacrificing attorney Howard Joyce is a model for ethical dilemmas and the human response to them. His subtlety as Joyce keeps the audience guessing as to his next action whereas the other characters in The Letter are always predictable. Later that year he played the title role in Calling Philo Vance, and in 1941 he was first-billed in Shining Victory, in which he played the character of Dr. Paul Venner. Stephenson died shortly thereafter of a heart attack at age 53.
