Anecdotes

Gwenn married Minnie Terry--a member of the Terry acting family and niece of Ellen Terry--in 1901 and the couple remained married until 1914. Gwenn joined the British Army and fought in the First World War. Their marriage ended while he was fighting in Europe.

In a magazine interview in 1998, Joan Weldon revealed that during the shoot of Des monstres attaquent la ville (1954), the temperature reached 110°F and both she and Gwenn were wearing wool clothing. It was even more insufferable for Gwenn, who struggled with advanced arthritis. Although unnoticeable to audiences, he was in pain and was helped off set by his valet, Ernest.

He was the only person to win an Academy Award for playing Santa Claus.

He was one of George Bernard Shaw's favorite actors.

He appeared in four films directed by Alfred Hitchcock: The Skin Game (1931), Le chant du Danube (1934), Correspondant 17 (1940) and Mais qui a tué Harry? (1955).

He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1755 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

Older brother of Margaret Kellaway (1879-1963), Nellie Kellaway (1880-1966), Arthur Chesney (1881-1949), Herbert Kellaway (1883-1972), Eva Kellaway (1886-1945) and Elsie Kellaway (1889-1975).

Cousin of Cecil Kellaway.

He appeared in three films nominated for Best Picture Oscar: Anthony Adverse (1936), Correspondant 17 (1940) and Le Miracle sur la 34ème rue (1947).

Edmund Gwenn passed away on September 6, 1959, only three weeks from what would have been his 82nd birthday on September 26.

Ex-brother-in-law of Estelle Winwood.

Following his death, he was cremated and his ashes were interred at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles, California.

Son of John Kellaway (1846-1912) and Catherine (nee Oliver) Kellaway (1852-1931).

Cousin, once removed, of actor Bryan Kellaway.

His last film was Spanish, "The Rocket from Calabuch" in 1956 by well known Spanish director Luis Garcia Berlanga. The film is considered a classic in the Spanish cinema history.