- In 1942, he was voted one of the top 10 money making film stars in Britain.
- A noted Shakespearean actor, Portman's stage career dated back to 1924.
- Bryan Forbes believed Portman's chronic alcoholism greatly undermined his career.
- Worked for a time as shop assistant in Leeds and in his spare time was a member of the Halifax Opera Society.
- The Portman and Pickles Public House in Halifax, West Yorkshire is named after Portman and another great talent from the town, Wilfred Pickles.
- In 1923 he joined Robert Courtneidge's Shakespeare Company while it was playing at The Grand Theatre, Leeds. His first speaking part was with the company at the Victoria Theatre, Sunderland in 1924.
- Ill health forced him to retire from the stage in early 1968 whilst playing in Galsworthy's "Justice".
- Joined the Old Vic Company in 1927.
- Lived with Knox Laing from the 1940s until his death.
- Was a lifelong bachelor.
- Only a few months before his death, he announced that his doctors had forbidden him from doing any more acting for stage, films or television, claiming these media would aggravate his severe heart condition. He wryly suggested that he hoped to become a busy radio actor instead. But death intervened.
- A memorial service was held for him at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden on 13th January 1970.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1957 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Separate Tables.".
- Although his original middle name was "Harold", he later adopted his mother's maiden name of "Harrison" as his middle name and used it as such for the rest of his life.
- Was educated at Rishworth School.
- It was widely thought that Portman was in fact German/Austrian, he played so many such roles. His accent was in fact a Yorkshire accent as Portman was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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