Nationwide met actor and writer David Niven #OnThisDay in 1973. | BBC Archive

"David Niven and his wife, Hjördis Niven, were photographed at the 31st Academy Awards in 1959, a night of triumph when Niven won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Separate Tables. Held at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, the ceremony celebrated his elegant and nuanced performance, which critics praised as one of the finest of his career. Standing proudly beside him, Hjördis embodied grace and support, sharing in a milestone moment that marked Niven’s place among the greats of cinema. T

#OnThisDay 1910: David Niven was born in London. In 1975, he recalled his first movie lines and some disastrous early publicity stunts with Michael Parkinson. | BBC Archive