Eric Portman

Eric Portman

Deceased · Born: Jul 13, 1901 · Died: Dec 7, 1969

Personal Details

BornJul 13, 1901 Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Biography

Eric Portman's distinctive delivery, coupled with his refined and somewhat intimidating demeanor, led many to mistakenly believe he was of German or Austrian descent. However, the truth is that this talented actor was a true Brit, born, raised, and educated in the English town of Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Portman's acting career began on the stage in 1923, where he specialized in the works of William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. His first foray into film came in 1935, when he appeared in the Tod Slaughter melodrama Maria Marten, or the Murder in the Red Barn, playing a Gypsy in a rather unexpected role.

As the years went by, Portman became a favorite of renowned filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, leading to one of his most iconic roles: the determined Nazi commander of a German U-boat sunk off the coast of Canada in 49th Parallel (1941). In this film, he portrayed a commander who tries to lead his crew across Canada to reach the safety of the United States, which was not yet involved in the war at the time.

The following year, Portman demonstrated his versatility in the film One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942),where he played an RAF officer who finds himself stranded in Nazi-occupied Holland.

Over the next 25 years, Portman remained a prolific actor, taking on a wide range of roles, from villain to hero, in both thrillers and dramas. After appearing in Deadfall (1968),he retired from the screen, apart from a few television projects in the following years.

Sadly, Portman's life was cut short when he passed away in 1969 due to heart problems.

Career

{"id":87316,"title":"Deadfall","year":"1968","character":"Moreau","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/deadfall-1968","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87316.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87316.jpg"},"released":1}
1968
Deadfall
Deadfall as Moreau
{"id":87343,"title":"Assignment to Kill","year":"1968","character":"Notary","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/assignment-to-kill","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87343.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87343.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":87553,"title":"The Whisperers","year":"1967","character":"Archie Ross","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-whisperers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87553.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87553.jpg"},"released":1}
1967
The Whisperers
The Whisperers as Archie Ross
{"id":87657,"title":"The Spy with a Cold Nose","year":"1966","character":"British Ambassador","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-spy-with-a-cold-nose","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87657.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87657.jpg"},"released":1}
1966
The Spy with a Cold Nose
The Spy with a Cold Nose as British Ambassador
{"id":65525,"title":"The Bedford Incident","year":"1965","character":"Commodore Wolfgang Schrepke, Deutsche Marine","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-bedford-incident","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4pho7u6tcun0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4pho7u6tcun0.jpg"},"released":1}
1965
The Bedford Incident
The Bedford Incident as Commodore Wolfgang Schrepke, Deutsche Marine
{"id":65860,"title":"West 11","year":"1963","character":"Richard Dyce","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/west-11","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65860.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65860.jpg"},"released":1}
1963
West 11
West 11 as Richard Dyce
{"id":173516,"title":"The Man Who Finally Died","year":"1963","character":"Inspector Hofmeister","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-man-who-finally-died","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_173516.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_173516.jpg"},"released":1}
The Man Who Finally Died
The Man Who Finally Died as Inspector Hofmeister
{"id":65985,"title":"Freud","year":"1962","character":"Dr. Theodore Meynert","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/freud","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65985.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65985.jpg"},"released":1}
1962
Freud
Freud as Dr. Theodore Meynert
{"id":66069,"title":"The Naked Edge","year":"1961","character":"Jeremy Clay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-naked-edge","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66069.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66069.jpg"},"released":1}
1961
The Naked Edge
The Naked Edge as Jeremy Clay
{"id":94783,"title":"The Good Companions","year":"1957","character":"Jess Oakroyd","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-good-companions-1957","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94783.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94783.jpg"},"released":1}
1957
The Good Companions
The Good Companions as Jess Oakroyd
{"id":66993,"title":"Child in the House","year":"1956","character":"Henry Acheson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/child-in-the-house","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66993.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66993.jpg"},"released":1}
1956
Child in the House
Child in the House as Henry Acheson
{"id":67006,"title":"The Colditz Story","year":"1955","character":"Colonel Richmond","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-colditz-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67006.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67006.jpg"},"released":1}
1955
The Colditz Story
The Colditz Story as Colonel Richmond
{"id":67086,"title":"The Deep Blue Sea","year":"1955","character":"Miller","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-deep-blue-sea-1955","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67086.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67086.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":67350,"title":"The Golden Mask","year":"1953","character":"Doctor Burnet","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-golden-mask","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67350.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67350.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
The Golden Mask
The Golden Mask as Doctor Burnet
{"id":174371,"title":"His Excellency","year":"1952","character":"George Harrison","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/his-excellency","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174371.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174371.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
His Excellency
His Excellency as George Harrison
{"id":68281,"title":"The Magic Box","year":"1952","character":"Arthur Collings","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-magic-box","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68281.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68281.jpg"},"released":1}
The Magic Box
The Magic Box as Arthur Collings
{"id":82783,"title":"Cairo Road","year":"1950","character":"Col. Youssef Bey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cairo-road","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82783.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82783.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
Cairo Road
Cairo Road as Col. Youssef Bey
{"id":69146,"title":"The Spider and the Fly","year":"1949","character":"Fernand Maubert","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-spider-and-the-fly","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69146.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69146.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
The Spider and the Fly
The Spider and the Fly as Fernand Maubert
{"id":69470,"title":"The Blind Goddess","year":"1948","character":"Sir John Dearing KC","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-blind-goddess","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69470.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69470.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
The Blind Goddess
The Blind Goddess as Sir John Dearing KC
{"id":69461,"title":"Corridor of Mirrors","year":"1948","character":"Paul Mangin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/corridor-of-mirrors","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69461.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69461.jpg"},"released":1}
Corridor of Mirrors
Corridor of Mirrors as Paul Mangin
{"id":69424,"title":"Daybreak","year":"1948","character":"Eddie Tribe","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/daybreak-1948","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69424.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69424.jpg"},"released":1}
Daybreak
Daybreak as Eddie Tribe
{"id":174945,"title":"The Mark of Cain","year":"1947","character":"Richard Howard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-mark-of-cain-1947","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174945.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174945.jpg"},"released":1}
1947
The Mark of Cain
The Mark of Cain as Richard Howard
{"id":69279,"title":"Dear Murderer","year":"1947","character":"Lee Warren","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dear-murderer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69279.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69279.jpg"},"released":1}
Dear Murderer
Dear Murderer as Lee Warren
{"id":70075,"title":"Wanted for Murder","year":"1946","character":"Victor James Colebrooke","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/wanted-for-murder","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70075.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70075.jpg"},"released":1}
1946
Wanted for Murder
Wanted for Murder as Victor James Colebrooke
{"id":70335,"title":"Great Day","year":"1945","character":"Capt. John Ellis","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/great-day","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70335.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70335.jpg"},"released":1}
1945
Great Day
Great Day as Capt. John Ellis
{"id":32631,"title":"A Canterbury Tale","year":"1944","character":"Thomas Colpeper, JP","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-canterbury-tale","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32631.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32631.jpg"},"released":1}
1944
A Canterbury Tale
A Canterbury Tale as Thomas Colpeper, JP
{"id":71019,"title":"Squadron Leader X","year":"1943","character":"Erich Kohler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/squadron-leader-x","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71019.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71019.jpg"},"released":1}
1943
Squadron Leader X
Squadron Leader X as Erich Kohler
{"id":70921,"title":"Millions Like Us","year":"1943","character":"Charlie Forbes","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/millions-like-us","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70921.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70921.jpg"},"released":1}
Millions Like Us
Millions Like Us as Charlie Forbes
{"id":175365,"title":"Escape to Danger","year":"1943","character":"Arthur Lawrence","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/escape-to-danger","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175365.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175365.jpg"},"released":1}
Escape to Danger
Escape to Danger as Arthur Lawrence
{"id":70928,"title":"We Dive at Dawn","year":"1943","character":"L\/S Hobson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/we-dive-at-dawn","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3nlkhldaafk0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3nlkhldaafk0.jpg"},"released":1}
We Dive at Dawn
We Dive at Dawn as L/S Hobson
{"id":70891,"title":"One of Our Aircraft Is Missing","year":"1942","character":"Tom Earnshaw, Copilot in B for Bertie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/one-of-our-aircraft-is-missing","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70891.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70891.jpg"},"released":1}
1942
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing as Tom Earnshaw, Copilot in B for Bertie
{"id":14817,"title":"49th Parallel","year":"1941","character":"Lieutenant Hirth","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/49th-parallel","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14817.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14817.jpg"},"released":1}
1941
49th Parallel
49th Parallel as Lieutenant Hirth
{"id":95289,"title":"Moonlight Sonata","year":"1937","character":"Mario de la Costa","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/moonlight-sonata","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95289.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95289.jpg"},"released":1}
1937
Moonlight Sonata
Moonlight Sonata as Mario de la Costa
{"id":72966,"title":"The Prince and the Pauper","year":"1937","character":"First Lord","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-prince-and-the-pauper-1937","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72966.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72966.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":73375,"title":"The Crimes of Stephen Hawke","year":"1936","character":"Matthew Trimble","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-crimes-of-stephen-hawke","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73375.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73375.jpg"},"released":1}
1936
{"id":73379,"title":"Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn","year":"1936","character":"Carlos, the gypsy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/maria-marten-or-the-murder-in-the-red-barn","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73379.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73379.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":73863,"title":"Abdul the Damned","year":"1935","character":"Conspirastor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/abdul-the-damned","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73863.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73863.jpg"},"released":1}
1935
Abdul the Damned
Abdul the Damned as Conspirastor
{"id":83329,"title":"Hyde Park Corner","year":"1935","character":"Edward Chester","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hyde-park-corner","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_83329.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_83329.jpg"},"released":1}
Hyde Park Corner
Hyde Park Corner as Edward Chester