Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Oxford-educated, he began a stage career in London in 1922, making his film debut in 1931. Widely respected as a character star in both British and American films, he became closely identified with the role of Abraham Lincoln, which he played in both stage and screen versions of Abe Lincoln's Illinois and briefly in HOW THE WEST WAS WON. More frequently and as persuasively he played moralists, evildoers, and fanatics. He was wounded in both World Wars, serving with the Canadian army. He became a US citizen in 1944. In the early 1960s he portrayed Dr. Gillespie in the "Doctor Kildare" TV series (1961-66). His second (1929-39) of three wives was actress Adrianne Allen, who bore him actors Anna Massey (b. 1937) and Daniel Massey (1933-1998). His older brother was Canadian politician Vincent Massey (1887-1967), the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada (1952-59). Autobiographies: When I Was Young (1976); A Hundred Lives (1979). Visit the Internet Movie Database to view Massey's film and television credits.  Nominated for Actor 1940: ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS 1 nomination