1. James David Graham Niven was born in Belgrave Mansions, London in 1910.

2. David Niven was named after the Saint’s Day on which he was born, St. David, patron Saint of Wales.

3. After Great Britain declared war in 1939, David Niven was one of the first actors to go back and join the army. Although Niven had a reputation for telling good old stories over and over again, he was totally silent about his war experience.

4. On David Niven’s return to Hollywood after the war he was made a Legionnaire of the Order of Merit. This was presented to Lt. Col. David Niven by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

5. Ian Fleming recommended him for the role of James Bond for Dr. No (1962), but producer Albert R. Broccoli thought that Niven was too old.  5 years later Niven would play James Bond in 1967’s Casino Royale.

6. David Niven was only nominated for an acting Oscar® one time.  But once was enough as he won the Best Actor Oscar® for 1958’s Separate Tables.

7. David Niven was only nominated for 3 Golden Globes®.  He won two Golden Globes®: 1953’s The Moon is Blue and 1958’s Separate Tables.  His third nomination was for 1957’s My Man Godfrey.

8. David Niven was married two times.  His first marriage was to Primula Rollo from 1940 to until her death in 1946.  She died tragically while attending a dinner at Tyrone Power ‘s house. After dinner, while playing hide and seek, she opened what she thought was a closet door but instead tumbled down the basement stairs and onto the concrete floor. She died shortly after.  They had two children.  His second marriage was to Hjordis Genberg lasted from 1948 to Niven’s death in 1983.  They had two children as well.

9. David Niven and Raymond Massey (his co-star two times) both passed away on the same day….July 29th, 1983.