Leslie Banks was born in West Derby, Liverpool. He studied classics at Oxford but after college went straight into theatre. His first appearance was with Frank Benson's company in 1911. In 1914 he went to America for a tour, though was back in Britain in time for WWI. He spent the next four years with the Essex Regiment and suffered a facial injury which stayed with him throughout his life.
He resumed his acting career after the war, first in rep then at the Everyman, Hampstead. Throughout the next few years he built up a reputation as a reliable lead and visited America several times. His film break was as the villain in RKO's The Most Dangerous Game. This full-blooded action horror was a popular success and has remained a cult classic. Despite making a hit in Hollywood the rest of his film career was spent in the UK.
His film career continued in parallel with his stage career. Saunders of the River made him a bona fide star though this tale of colonial life doesn't play so well these days. He toured extensively during the war and was made a CBE in 1950 shortly before ill-health curtailed his career.
| 1932 | The Most Dangerous Game (U.S.) |
| 1933 | Strange Evidence |
| 1933 | I Am Suzanne |
| 1934 | The Fire Raisers |
| 1934 | Red Ensign |
| 1934 | The Man Who Knew Too Much |
| 1935 | Saunders of the River |
| 1935 | The Night of the Party |
| 1935 | The Tunnel |
| 1936 | Debt of Honour |
| 1936 | Three Maxims |
| 1937 | Wings of the Morning |
| 1937 | Fire Over England |
| 1937 | Farewell Again |
| 1939 | Jamaica Inn |
| 1939 | The Arsenal Stadium Mystery |
| 1939 | Sons of the Sea |
| 1940 | 21 Days |
| 1040 | Dead Men's Shoes |
| 1940 | Busman's Honeymoon |
| 1940 | The Door With Seven Locks |
| 1940 | Neutral Port |
| 1941 | Cottage to Let |
| 1942 | Ships with Wings |
| 1942 | The Big Blockade |
| 1942 | Went the Day Well? |
| 1944 | Henry V |
| 1947 | Mrs Fitzherbert |
| 1949 | The Small Back Room |
| 1950 | Your Witness |
| 1950 | Madeleine |
