Roger Livesey was born to Joseph Livesey and Mary Catherine Edwards, his mother's maiden name. He received his education at Westminster City School in London. His initial stage appearance was as the office boy in the play "Loyalties" at St. James' Theatre in 1917. He went on to play a wide range of roles, including those in the works of William Shakespeare and modern comedies.
Throughout the 1920s, Roger played various roles in the West End, a term used to describe the professional theatre in London's West End. He toured the West Indies and South Africa, and later returned to join the Old Vic/Sadler's Wells company, a renowned theatre company in London. He remained with the company from September 1932 until May 1934.
In 1936, Roger appeared in New York in the old English comedy "The Country Wife". It was during this time that he also married Ursula Jeans, an actress he had previously worked with in England. At the outbreak of World War II, Roger and Ursula were among the first volunteers to entertain the troops. Roger later volunteered for flying duties in the Royal Air Force, but was turned down due to his age. Instead, he worked at an aircraft factory at Desford Aerodrome near Leicester, contributing to the war effort.
Roger's film career began in 1935 and continued until 1969. He is perhaps best known for his role in the film "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943),directed by Michael Powell. This film was shown in New York and established Roger's reputation as a brilliant character actor. Throughout his career, Roger continued to play many theatrical roles.
Physically, Roger stood tall and broad, with a luxurious mop of chestnut hair and a deep voice. He was known for his gentle manner and athletic build. In his free time, Roger enjoyed "tinkering", a hobby that likely involved working with his hands.
