from Torvald Helmer in A Doll's House to the Caliph Abdallah in Kismet, the Captain in Androcles and the Lion, Tom Wrench in Trelawny of the Wells and George Marsden in Mr Pim Passes By. In the 1920s he played more than 20 stage roles, mostly in the West End, but also in a tour of South Africa in 1928 with Zena Dare, playing in The High Road, The Trial of Mary Dugan, The Squeaker, and Aren't We All?. In the 1930s he was more frequently seen in classics and other costume dramas, in roles including Richard de Beauchamp in Saint Joan, the Duke of Venice in Othello, the Duke of Venice in The Merchant of Venice, the Duke of Lancaster in Richard of Bordeaux and Egeus in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Films Webster acted in films for 30 years from 1913 to 1943. In the late 1930s he and Whitty emigrated to California, where they remained based until their deaths. His films included The House of Temperley (1913); Liberty Hall (1914); Enoch Arden (1914); Cynthia in the Wilderness (1916); The Vicar of Wakefield (1916); His Daughter's Dilemma (1916); The Gay Lord Quex (1917); 12.10 (1919); Miriam Rozella (1924); The Lyons Mail (1931); One Precious Year (1933); The Old Curiosity Shop (1934); Drake of England (1935); Eliza Comes to Stay (1936); Forever and a Day (1943); and Lassie Come Home (1943) as Dan'l Fadden. Webster died in Hollywood from complications during surgery for a cancerous tumour on 26 February 1947, aged 82. His wife died 14 months later. Webster was cremated and his ashes scattered in Woolacombe, Devon, England. Ben, May and Margaret have neighbouring memorial plaques in St. Paul's, Covent Garden, London, known as "The Actors Church". References and sources References Sources External links autographed portrait(archived) Ben and May; 1942(archived) Ben Webster and May Whitty; 1944(archived) 1864 births 1947 deaths English male film actors English male silent film actors English male stage actors Male actors from London 20th-century English male actors British expatriate male actors in the United States