Paul Cavanagh - Actor Profile

Paul Cavanagh

Acting
Freshness: Jan 13, 2026
50Total Films
7.2 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 7, 1888
Birth Place: Chislehurst, Kent [now in Bromley, London], England, UK

About Paul Cavanagh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Paul Cavanagh (8 December 1888 – 15 March 1964) was an English film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1928 and 1959. Cavanagh was born in Chislehurst, Kent, and attended the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Cavanagh studied law in England, earning a master of arts degree at Cambridge. A newspaper article published 17 June 1931, reported, "It is on record that Cavanagh won high honors in mathematics and history." Cavanagh practised "for several years" before he changed professions. He went to Canada "for a year of sightseeing and wandering" before he joined the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. After serving in World War I, he returned to Canada, where he practised law, including revising the statutes of Alberta, but eventually went back to England to practise law. Cavanagh went onto the stage after a stroke of bad luck in 1924 caused him to lose his savings, and later he went into films. In 1926, Cavanagh lost $22,000 in one evening on a roulette wheel in Monte Carlo. An observer offered to provide a letter "to some of my theatrical acquaintances" in London, England. Those contacts led to Cavanagh's role in It Pays to Advertise. Cavanagh first film contract and film came in 1929 with Paramount Pictures. Cavanagh died In London from a heart attack in 1964, aged 75.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Paul Cavanagh reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Paul Cavanagh's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Paul Cavanagh remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Mississippi Gambler, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Paul Cavanagh Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Paul Cavanagh's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Paul Cavanagh.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1959 The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake Kenneth Drake Average Similar →
1958 In the Money Inspector Herbert Saunders Hit Similar →
1956 Diane Lord Bonnivet Average Similar →
1955 The King's Thief Sir Edward Scott Average Similar →
1955 The Scarlet Coat Sir Henry Clinton Average Similar →
1954 Khyber Patrol General Melville Hit Similar →
1954 Magnificent Obsession Dr. Henry Giraud Hit Similar →
1954 The Raid Col. Tucker Hit Similar →
1954 Casanova's Big Night Signor Alberto Di Gambetta Average Similar →
1953 House of Wax Sidney Wallace Hit Similar →
1953 The Desert Rats Colonel (uncredited) Average Similar →
1953 The Bandits of Corsica Dianza Average Similar →
1953 The Mississippi Gambler Edmond Dureau Hit Similar →
1952 Plymouth Adventure John Carver Average Similar →
1951 The Strange Door Edmond de Maletroit Average Similar →
1951 The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel Lt. Col. Caesar von Hofaker Hit Similar →
1951 Hollywood Story Roland Paul Hit Similar →
1950 The Second Face Todd Williams Hit Similar →
1950 Hit Parade of 1951 Two-to-One Thompson Average Similar →
1950 The Iroquois Trail Col. Eric Thorne Average Similar →
1949 Madame Bovary Marquis D'Andervilliers Hit Similar →
1948 You Gotta Stay Happy Dr. Blucher Hit Similar →
1947 Secret Beyond the Door Rick Barrett Hit Similar →
1947 Ivy Dr. Berwick (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 Dishonored Lady Victor Kranish Average Similar →
1947 Humoresque Victor Wright Hit Similar →
1946 The Verdict Clive Russell Hit Similar →
1946 Wife Wanted Jeffrey Caldwell Hit Similar →
1946 Night and Day Bart McClelland Average Similar →
1945 The Woman in Green Sir George Fenwick Average Similar →
1945 The House of Fear Simon Merrivale Hit Similar →
1944 Maisie Goes to Reno Roger Pelham Average Similar →
1944 The Scarlet Claw Lord Penrose Hit Similar →
1943 The Hard Way John 'Jack' Shagrue Average Similar →
1942 Pacific Rendezvous Cmdr. Charles Brennan Average Similar →
1942 Captains of the Clouds Group Captain Average Similar →
1941 Maisie Was a Lady Cap Rawlston Hit Similar →
1939 Reno John R. Banton Average Similar →
1939 The Under-Pup Mr. Franklin Cooper Average Similar →
1939 Within the Law English Eddie Morton Average Similar →
1936 Crime Over London Inspector Gary Average Similar →
1935 Splendor Martin Deering Average Similar →
1935 Thunder in the Night Count Peter Alvinczy Average Similar →
1934 Menace Leonard Crecy Average Similar →
1934 The Notorious Sophie Lang Max Bernard, a.k.a. Sir Nigel Crane Average Similar →
1934 Tarzan and His Mate Martin Arlington Hit Similar →
1933 The Kennel Murder Case Thomas MacDonald Average Similar →
1933 Curtain at Eight Wylie Thornton Average Similar →
1932 A Bill of Divorcement Gray Meredith Average Similar →
1930 The Devil to Pay! Grand Duke Paul Average Similar →

Paul Cavanagh - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Paul Cavanagh?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Paul Cavanagh is "The Mississippi Gambler" with a rating of 7.2/10.

How many movies has Paul Cavanagh acted in?

Paul Cavanagh has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Paul Cavanagh?

Other notable films include "Humoresque", "In the Money", and "Khyber Patrol".