George William Doonan (18 April 1926 – 10 March 1958) was an English stage and screen actor. He was the son of comedian George Vincent Doonan and Doris Mary (Nee Endsor), and the elder brother of fellow actor, Tony Doonan.
He featured in films of the time such as The Blue Lamp, Train of Events, and The Cockleshell Heroes but rarely played the leads. An exception was Wheel of Fate (1953), in which he did have the leading role and top billing. 1953 was probably Doonan's peak year in films, as in that same year he also had good supporting roles in The Net (1953) and The Red Beret (1953).
He played Detective Sergeant Trotter in The Mousetrap at the Ambassadors Theatre in London for three and a half years.
He committed suicide at the age of 31 by coal gas poisoning (carbon monoxide poisoning) in 1958 at his home in Margaretta Terrace, Chelsea. At the time he was engaged to marry actress Ann Firbank, despite the fact that he was already married to actress Aud Johansen.
In 1994 the singer Morrissey referred to Doonan in the song 'Now My Heart Is Full'.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1944 Henry V Minor Role Uncredited1944 Dreaming (1944 British film) Minor Role Uncredited1948 Once a Jolly Swagman Dick 1949 All Over the Town Burton 1949 Train of Events Ron Stacey (segment "The Engine Driver")1949 A Run for Your Money Conductor Uncredited1950 The Blue Lamp Spud 1950 Blackout Chalky 1950 Highly Dangerous Customs officer 1951 Captain Horatio Hornblower Seaman Uncredited1951 The Lavender Hill Mob Craggs Uncredited1951 Calling Bulldog Drummond Alec 1951 The Man in the White Suit Frank 1951 Appointment with Venus Sgt. Forbes 1951 High Treason George Ellis 1952 I'm a Stranger George Westcott 1952 Gift Horse Petty Officer Martin 1952 The Gentle Gunman Sentry Uncredited1953 The Net Brian Jackson 1953 Wheel of Fate Johnny Burrows 1953 The Red Beret Flash 1954 What Every Woman Wants Mark 1954 Crest of the Wave Petty Officer Herbert 1955 John and Julie Jim Webber 1955 The Cockleshell Heroes Claridge - Sailor in Pub
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