Born in East St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. Handsome, dignified performer, most typically in intelligent, gentlemanly roles, in lead and supporting film parts from the late 1920s. Pidgeon played gradually larger roles in films of increasing importance as the 30s progressed and finally made it to full-fledged star status in middle age at the beginning of the 40s. He is best known for his roles as Maureen O'Hara's suitor in John Ford's HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941) and, opposite frequent co-star Greer Garson, in the English WW II melodrama MRS. MINIVER (1942) and the biographical MADAME CURIE (1943). Pidgeon continued to play leading roles through the 50s and kept busy in his later years in prominent supporting parts, often with star billing. He was especially memorable as the Prospero figure in the engaging sci-fi feature revamp of Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST (1959), FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956), and was a standout among the remarkable cast peopling Otto Preminger's political drama, ADVISE AND CONSENT (1962). Pidgeon also appeared as Florenz Ziegfeld in FUNNY GIRL (1968) and continued in films with decreasing frequency through the 70s. Pidgeon's TV credits date back to the mid-50s when he hosted the "M-G-M Parade" (ABC, 1955-56), a variety series that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the film studio. He was featured in several high-profile TV specials from the late 50s through the mid-60s, notably playing the King in the 1965 "Cinderella" starring Lesley Ann Warren. Pidgeon began appearing in TV movies in the late 60s, generally in character roles, and continued to do so fairly regularly through the mid-70s. He died of a stroke in Santa Monica, CA, two days after his 87th birthday.    Nominated for Actor 1942: MRS. MINIVER    Nominated for Actor 1943: MADAME CURIE 2 nominations