- Born
- Died
- Birth nameNorman Leslie Spencer
- Norman Spencer was born on August 13, 1914 in Lambeth, London, England, UK. He was a producer and production manager, known for Vanishing Point (1971), Hobson's Choice (1954) and Great Expectations (1946). He was married to Barbara Sheppard. He died on August 16, 2024 in Wimbledon, London, England, UK.
- SpouseBarbara Sheppard(June 25, 1943 - August 1998) (her death, 2 children)
- At the time of his death at 110 years of age, he was thought to have been the oldest man living in the greater London area, and the second oldest man living in the United Kingdom overall. He spent 3 days as both a super-centenarian and the UK's 2nd oldest man, following the death of John Gordon Farringdon (7 June 1913 - 13 August 2024) from Warwickshire.
- Entered the film industry as an extra in 1936, working his way up to gofer. Following a fortuitous meeting with editor-cum-director David Lean he became an assistant director and production manager for him in the early 40s, continuing to work on a number of Lean's projects throughout the next two decades, most notably as co-author of the screenplay for Hobson's Choice (1954).
- He lived in Denham and took French lessons with Activ'French, a group of tutors offering classes for adults. He said: said: "I am not in my first flush of youth but I find that age is certainly not a limitation to learn a language.".
- His first job on a Lean film was as assistant director on Lean's directorial debut, 1942's In Which We Serve.
- In July 2013, Spencer attended a special screening of Great Expectations at Wolterton Hall, Norfolk.
- David [Lean] was so handsome. He was a huge womaniser: to my knowledge, he had almost 1,000 women. When we shot [Hobson's Choice (1954)] in the streets, people asked: "Who's that good-looking actor?" I had to say: "That's not the leading man, it's the director."
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