Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsPrimetime EmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalFall TV GuideMost Anticipated This MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayTrending peopleCelebrity news
    IMDb LabsHelp centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
    Some content may be auto-translated
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
    Some content may be auto-translated
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Biography
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

John Reith(1889-1971)

IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
John Reith was born on 20 July 1889 in Stonehaven, Scotland, UK. He was married to Muriel Odhams. He died on 16 June 1971 in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
BornJuly 20, 1889
DiedJune 16, 1971(81)
BornJuly 20, 1889
DiedJune 16, 1971(81)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Add photos, demo reels

Known for

BBC: The Voice of Britain (1935)
BBC: The Voice of Britain
8.1
  • Self(voice)
  • 1935
Face to Face (1959)
Face to Face
8.0
TV Series
  • Self(as Lord Reith)
Lord Reith Looks Back (1967)
Lord Reith Looks Back
TV Mini Series
  • Self(as Lord Reith)

Credits

IMDbPro

Self

  • Lord Reith Looks Back (1967)
    Lord Reith Looks Back
    TV Mini Series
    • Self (as Lord Reith)
    • 1967
  • Face to Face (1959)
    Face to Face
    8.0
    TV Series
    • Self (as Lord Reith)
    • 1960
  • BBC: The Voice of Britain (1935)
    BBC: The Voice of Britain
    8.1
    • Self (voice)
    • 1935

Archive Footage

  • How the BBC Began (2022)
    How the BBC Began
    6.8
    TV Mini Series
    • Self (archive footage)
    • 2022–2024
  • Dream Me Up Scotty!
    6.0
    TV Movie
    • Self (archive footage)
    • 2013
  • Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words (2011)
    Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words
    8.3
    TV Mini Series
    • Self (archive footage)
    • 2011
  • Demob Happy: How TV Conquered Britain (2007)
    Demob Happy: How TV Conquered Britain
    TV Movie
    • Self (archive footage)
    • 2007
  • Jo Brand and Alan Yentob in Imagine (2003)
    Imagine
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Self (archive footage)
    • 2006
  • Auntie: The Inside Story of the BBC (1997)
    Auntie: The Inside Story of the BBC
    6.2
    TV Mini Series
    • Self - First Director General (Interviewed 1967) (archive footage)
    • 1997
  • TV Hell (1992)
    TV Hell
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Self (archive footage, as Lord Reith)
    • 1992
  • Cough and You'll Deafen Thousands (1972)
    Cough and You'll Deafen Thousands
    TV Special
    • Self - Director-General, 1927-1938 (archive footage, as Lord Reith)
    • 1972

Personal details

  • Alternative name
    • Lord Reith
  • Height
    • 6′ 6″ (1.98 m)
  • Born
    • July 20, 1889
    • Stonehaven, Scotland, UK
  • Died
    • June 16, 1971
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
  • Spouse
    • Muriel Odhams1922 - 1971 (his death, 2 children)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 6 Portrayals

Did you know

  • Trivia
    He became the first general manager of the BBC in 1922 and served as director-general from 1927 until 1938.
  • Quotes
    What I was capable of compared with what I've achieved is pitiable.
  • Trademark
    Towering height and larger-than-life figure.

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Recently viewed

You have no recently viewed pages
Get the IMDb app
Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
Follow IMDb on social
Get the IMDb app
For Android and iOS
Get the IMDb app
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • License IMDb Data
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2026 by IMDb.com, Inc.