British actor Denys Graham who starred in The Dam Busters, Dunkirk and Zulu has died aged 98

British actor, and star of stage and screen, Denys Graham has passed away at the age of 98. Famous for his roles in movie blockbusters including The Dam Busters and Dunkirk, the Welshman enjoyed a career spanning more than 70 years.

Later in his career, he would become known as Rumpole of the Bailey’s many-daughtered colleague Percy Hoskins but it was his work on some of the most famous wartime films of all time that would propel him to stardom.

Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, in 1926, Denys was an accomplished pianist. He was educated at New College, Oxford, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

No stranger to treading the boards, his resume boasted a raft of theatre work including playing in the original 1956 production of Under Milk Wood at the New Theatre, London and appearing in the original 1955 production of Waiting for Godot at the Arts Theatre, London, directed by Sir Peter Hall.

He was also a member of Sir John Gielgud’s company at the Phoenix Theatre, London for two years, followed by a season with the RSC at Stratford-upon-Avon. Playing Victor Witt in the Dominion Theatre’s Grand Hotel in 1992 would be his final West End role.

During a time when war films were at their height, Denys secured a spot in many classic movies, portraying Flying Officer L.G. Knight DSO in The Dam Busters (1955), Private Fraser in Dunkirk (1958), Private 716 Robert Jones in Zulu (1964), and Kaiser Wilhelm II in All Quiet on the Western Front (1979).

Denys’ cause of death has yet to be announced.