Roddy McDowall

McDowall in 1988, photo by Alan Light

Birth Name: Roderick Andrew Anthony McDowall

Date of Birth: 17 September, 1928

Place of Birth: Lambeth, London, England, U.K.

Date of Death: October 3, 1998

Place of Death: Studio City, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – Scottish, English
*mother – Irish

Roddy McDowall was a British and American actor, film director, and photographer.

He was the son of Winifriede Lucinda (Corcoran), an Irish-born actress, and Thomas Andrew McDowall, a merchant seaman, who was of Scottish and English descent. Roddy was raised Catholic. Roddy began appearing in British films in the 1930s. He moved to the U.S. in 1940, and became a U.S. citizen in 1949.

Roddy’s paternal grandfather was Andrew George McDowall (the son of Andrew McDowall and Fanny Bennett). Roddy’s grandfather Andrew was born in Lambeth, London, England. Roddy’s great-grandfather Andrew was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland, the son of Andrew Dougan/Dugan McDowall and Agnes McCredie/McCreadie. Fanny was born in Derbyshire, England, the daughter of George Bennett and Mary Brain.

Roddy’s paternal grandmother was Kate Augusta Ainsworth (the daughter of Thomas Ainsworth and Mary Hodgson). Kate was born in Derby, Derbyshire, England. Thomas was the son of Thomas Ainsworth and Amelia Hope. Mary was the daughter of Daniel Hodgson.

Roddy’s maternal grandfather was surnamed Corcoran.

Roddy’s maternal grandmother was surnamed Dirham.