After a short time working as a merchant seaman, followed by a few appearances on stage, Maxwell Reed moved to London and was signed by the Rank Organisation. He made many British films during the 40s and 50s, rotating between leads in B movies and supporting roles in major productions. He also appeared in a few Hollywood swashbucklers and TV series before succumbing to cancer in the 70s. He was a bona fide teen idol in the late 40s, being the heart throb of many a schoolgirl. He was married to Joan Collins during the early 50s but the marriage ended in divorce.