Donald Crisp was born George William Crisp at the family home in Bow, London. Donald's parents were James Crisp and Elizabeth Crisp, his birth was registered by his mother on 4th September 1882. Donald's sisters were Elizabeth, Ann, Alice (known as Loiusa) and Eliza and his brothers were James, John and Mark. Family memories state that Donald's brother in law James Needham (Louisa's husband) lent/gave Donald the fare to USA. The family have a photo of Donald which he sent to 'Jimmy' and signed. On 16th February 1937 Donald applied for a US Social Security account number giving his address as N Vista Street Hollywood California, and his employers Warner Brothers Pictures Burbank California. On his application Donald did not know his mother's maiden name.


Fought in the British army during the Boer War in South Africa. By 1910, Crisp had become interested in pursuing a career in theater and began working as a stage manager for the renowned entertainer, composer, playwright, and director George M. Cohan. During this period he met and became friends with a stage actor D.W. Griffith, His first films were made with Griffith by Biograph Company in New Jersey. When Griffith went to seek his fortune in Hollywood in 1912, Crisp accompanied him. As a producer, he became an active liaison between the film industry and outside business interests. Crisp served on the Bank of America advisory board for several decades, including a stint as its chairman, becoming influential with its board of directors. He was educated at the University of Oxford.