The Great Escape Cast
The cast of The Great Escape including popularity data. Data for April 18, 2025.
Steve McQueen
as Hilts 'The Cooler King'

Steve McQueen portrays Hilts 'The Cooler King,' an American Air Force officer known for his fearless and rebellious nature.

James Garner
as Hendley 'The Scrounger'

James Garner takes on the role of Hendley 'The Scrounger,' an American Flight Lieutenant with exceptional skills in acquiring necessary items for escape.

#1
Most popular actor on The Great Escape
3,317 Wikipedia views yesterday
Richard Attenborough
as Bartlett 'Big X'

Richard Attenborough plays Bartlett 'Big X,' a British Squadron Leader and mastermind behind the escape plan.

James Donald
as Ramsey 'The SBO'

James Donald portrays Ramsey 'The SBO (Senior British Officer),' a British Group Captain responsible for overseeing the escape operation.

Charles Bronson
as Danny 'Tunnel King'

Charles Bronson embodies Danny 'Tunnel King,' an American flight lieutenant who specializes in digging tunnels for escape purposes.

Donald Pleasence
as Blythe 'The Forger'

Donald Pleasence brings to life Blythe 'The Forger,' a British Flight Lieutenant skilled in creating forged documents.

#3
Most popular actor on The Great Escape
1,742 Wikipedia views yesterday
James Coburn
as Sedgwick 'Manufacturer'

James Coburn portrays Sedgwick 'Manufacturer,' an Australian Flying Officer known for his engineering expertise.

#4
Most popular actor on The Great Escape
1,465 Wikipedia views yesterday
Hannes Messemer
as Von Luger 'The Kommandant'

Hannes Messemer plays Von Luger 'The Kommandant,' a German Luftwaffe colonel in charge of the POW camp.

David McCallum
as Ashley-Pitt 'Dispersal'

David McCallum embodies Ashley-Pitt 'Dispersal,' a British squadron leader involved in planning the escape attempt.

#2
Most popular actor on The Great Escape
3,200 Wikipedia views yesterday
Gordon Jackson
as MacDonald 'Intelligence'

Gordon Jackson takes on the role of MacDonald 'Intelligence,' a Scottish Wing Commander tasked with gathering information for the escape.

John Leyton
as Willie 'Tunnel King'

John Leyton portrays Willie 'Tunnel King,' an English Flying Officer renowned for his tunnel excavation skills.

Angus Lennie
as Ives 'The Mole'

Angus Lennie brings to life Ives 'The Mole,' a Scottish Flight Lieutenant who plays a crucial role in the tunneling operation.

Nigel Stock
as Cavendish 'The Surveyor'
Robert Graf
as Werner 'The Ferret'
Jud Taylor
as Goff
Hans Reiser
as Herr Kuhn
Harry Riebauer
as Stratwitch
William Russell
as Sorren
Robert Freitag
as Capt. Posen
Ulrich Beiger
as Preissen
George Mikell
as Lt. Dietrich
Lawrence Montaigne
as Haynes ('Diversions')
Robert Desmond
as Griffith 'Tailor'
Til Kiwe
as Frick
Heinz Weiss
as Kramer
Tom Adams
as Dai Nimmo ('Diversions')
Karl-Otto Alberty
as S.S. Officer Steinach
For the best insights and data about The Great Escape, visit our main The Great Escape page.