Overview
David Cedric Morris (11 September 1924 – 29 October 2007) was an English painter who attracted wider public attention late in life as a screen actor. After a long life primarily associated with visual art and family life, he took on professional acting roles in his late seventies and is best known for his portrayal of Grandpa George in Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For basic reference information see biographical summary and a film reference at filmography.
Early life and education
Morris was born in Folkestone, Kent and later educated at the University of Oxford. His formative years combined study and private creative practice, after which he made his living principally as a painter. Local records and community notices have mentioned his association with the region; further local context is available at Folkestone resources and regional archives at county records.
Artistic and acting career
Although best known to many as an elderly film actor, Morris's professional identity began in the visual arts. Public documentation emphasizes his painting activity while noting that his on‑screen career began unusually late: he became a professional actor at age 79. His late start is sometimes cited in discussions of age and casting in contemporary cinema; broad commentary on older actors and later‑life careers can be found via general overviews such as academic resources and industry retrospectives at cinema studies.
Notable role and legacy
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Morris played Grandpa George, one of the four grandparents who live with the book's protagonist and his family. The film, directed by Tim Burton, brought Morris to international attention and stands as his most widely seen performance. The role is often mentioned when discussing examples of actors who achieve recognition later in life; for production details see production notes and for adaptations of the story consult adaptation histories.
Personal life and death
Morris married Olwen Goowin in 1957; the couple had four children and remained married until his death. He died at home in Watford, Hertfordshire on 29 October 2007 from a heart attack, aged 83. Short factual listings and memorial notices can be consulted through the links above for further verification.
- Full name: David Cedric Morris
- Born: 11 September 1924, Folkestone, Kent
- Died: 29 October 2007, Watford, Hertfordshire
- Occupations: Painter, actor (professional acting from age 79)
- Notable screen role: Grandpa George in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
This article provides a concise account of Morris's life and public work, emphasizing his dual identity as a visual artist and a late‑life screen actor. For more specialized research, the placeholder links above lead to general categories of sources where deeper documentation may be found.