- Along with Philip Guard, appeared on the fade-out of The Beatles' I Am The Walrus in his role as the "Earl of Gloucester" taken from a BBC radio production of King Lear.
- Younger brother of Basil Dignam. Together they were credited with over three hundred film and television parts. This was in addition to their extensive stage careers.
- Brother-in-law of Mona Washbourne.
- A noted actor on the Shakespearean stage, on stage from 1930, films from 1938. A former journalist, he began his career in the company of impresario Sir Philip Barling "Ben" Greet. Often played authority figures.
- He saw active service with the British Army during World War Two, before being invalided out in 1944 as a result of wounds sustained at the Battle of Anzio. At the time he was serving with the 67th. Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He subsequently joined the Arts Theatre Group, making his first appearance as "Pra" in Shaw's "The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles".
- Had planned on becoming a journalist, but instead began acting professionally with Philip "Ben" Greet's Shakespeare touring company in 1929.
- Was the son of a salesman in the steel industry in Sheffield.
- Became one of the first members of the actors' union, Equity, following its establishment in 1931.
- He was educated at a Jesuit College where he appeared in numerous Shakespearean plays.
- His last wife, Virgnia, was the film critic of the Morning Star paper.
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