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1-50 of 75
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Gavan O'Herlihy was born on 29 July 1951 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. He was an actor, known for The Descent: Part 2 (2009), Willow (1988) and Never Say Never Again (1983). He was married to Juliette. He died on 15 September 2021 in Bath, England, UK.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Although he sounded very British, Leo McKern was an Australian. By the time he was 15 years old, he had endured an accident that left him without his left eye. A glass eye replaced it - one might conjecture for the better, as far as making McKern a one-day actor of singular focus (no pun intended; his face had that extremely focused look). He failed to complete Sydney Technical High School, though his interest in engineering prompted him to transfer into the role of engineering apprentice (1935 to 1937). He expanded his horizons in a different direction with a two-year stint (1937-1940) at a commercial art college. By then World War II was escalating toward Australia, and he volunteered for service with the Engineering Corp of the Australian Army (1940 to 1942). But yet one more career move was needed, and that while the war moved northward away from Australia when America joined the fight. He studied acting and debuted on stage in 1944. He also met an Australian stage actress (Jane Holland), and mutual attraction took its course. In 1946 she had acting opportunities in England, and McKern decided that, along with the wish to propose to her, his own future as an actor lay there also.
McKern was short and stout with a great bulbous nose upon an impish face--all the ingredients for great character. His voice was a sharp and vociferous grind upon the back teeth--also perfect for character. After some touring (which included a trip to post-war Germany), he began to appear with regularity on London's premiere stages, particularly the Old Vic (1949-52 and then again 1962-63). These roles meshed with classic English work when he moved on to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon and the Shakespeare Memorial Theater (later reconstituted as the now Royal Shakespeare Theater) from 1952 to 1954. He also spent a season at the New Nottingham Playhouse. He had weaned himself off his Australian accent long before this with his bid for film roles, the first being as one of the four murderous barons in the Thomas a' Becket story Murder in the Cathedral (1951). And he kept his medieval tights on for his next screen appearances (though the small screen of TV) in some roles for the popular Richard Greene series The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1955, while he continued stage work.
From then on, McKern had roles in two to three movies a year--busy but not too busy--gradually mixing progressively more and more TV work in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The films were as varied as a good stage actor could justify moving into a popular medium. Though he was usually police officials, doctors, and authoritative figures, he always made these early parts stand out. Drama comes in various packages; he was not averse to the rise of sci-fi as a vehicle for it. He graced two British sci-fi classics: X the Unknown (1956) and the better The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961). And there was also TV fantasy work, one of the best known examples being multiple outings as interrogator and chain-yanker Number Two in The Prisoner series. In the late '70s, he condescended to add some weight to two of the Omen movies, as did Gregory Peck and William Holden, putting him in good company. Great drama was McKern's meat. And doing some historically significant on a great scale was an opportunity for a Shakespearean not to miss. He was cast in the screen version of the Robert Bolt hit play A Man for All Seasons (1966). And his visage was perhaps part of the allure. Cast as ruthless political climber and fated chancellor of England Thomas Cromwell, McKern looked like the Hans Holbein court painting of the man who rather nefariously succeeded to Sir Thomas More's position. More was played by McKern's fellow RSC resident Paul Scofield. McKern gave flesh to the commoner Cromwell, making him loud and abrasive with a delightful verve. Later he and Scofield shared another film role, in the sense that the latter turned down the part of Thomas Ryan in the David Lean epic of Ireland Ryan's Daughter (1970), while McKern accepted it and made the role work. (Scofield would have been a miscast, something he probably wisely foresaw.)
McKern, from his early screen roles, could do comedy. He had a fair share of outrageous characters, and he could play them with a glint in his eye and a bit of extra cheek in his performance to show that he must have had fun in the role. In this regard, he showed his stuff supporting Peter Sellers in the endearing The Mouse That Roared (1959) and had the lead in the outlandish They All Died Laughing (1964) as a college professor who decides to snuff out humanity with poison laughing gas. He was a broad country fellow with a Shakespearean twist as Squint in The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965). In one of his later comedies, he is rather overlooked because of its clever script; in fact, it is an over-the-top tour de force for McKern. As the infamous nemesis Professor Moriarty in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975), McKern manages to steal the show from funny man and director/writer Gene Wilder along with Marty Feldman and Roy Kinnear. McKern's Moriarty is devilish but tongue-in-cheek with a vengeance, especially with his nervous tic of suddenly, at any time and out of nowhere, yelling, "YAAA, YAAA!"
Yet McKern's chief legacy has been and probably will continue to be his long-running TV role in more mystery (he had done his fair share in film and TV already) as Horace Rumpole in "Rumpole of the Bailey" (1978-1992), a role originally introduced by him in the teleplay "Rumpole of the Bailey" in 1975. The role had been specifically created for him by writer John Mortimer, and though every actor can appreciate the security of a long-running role, McKern feared that it was subsuming his more than considerable body of work. Along with that, McKern became increasingly self-conscious of his acting, and mixed in was the idea that his physical appearance was not appealing to the public. As a result, he had to deal with a progressively increasing stage fright. He need not have worried; he was working in diverse TV and movie roles nearly to the time of his passing, and he was beloved by movie and TV fans alike. Along with receiving the award of Officer of the Order of Australia from his home country, in 1983 McKern's memoir "Just Resting" was published.- Actor
- Producer
London-born character actor Derek Fowlds came to the fore on television as 'Mr. Derek', straight man to the children's puppet Basil Brush (succeeding Rodney Bewes in that capacity), then as private secretary and political advisor Bernard Woolley, diligently keeping the reins on obtuse British Cabinet Minister Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) in Yes Minister (1980), and, finally, as retired police sergeant -- turned pub proprietor -- Oscar Blaketon during the entire 18-year run of Heartbeat (1992). Having done his national service in the RAF, Fowlds based the Blaketon character on a drill instructor, commenting "I just cut my hair shorter, slicked it back and shouted a lot and Oscar was born."
In his youth, Fowlds aspired to becoming a footballer. He first tried acting in school plays as a bit of a lark. "Just for kicks" he later decided to pursue the profession more seriously, trained at RADA and debuted on stage in a 1961 production of "The Miracle Worker" at London's Wyndham Theatre. Thereafter, he popped up in the occasional motion picture but was considerably more prolific on the small screen where he regularly alternated between comedy and drama. Early on, he played the lead in his own short-lived detective series, Take a Pair of Private Eyes (1966). His autobiography "A Part Worth Playing" was released in 2015.- Tall, rugged, red-haired character actor whose heavily lined face suggested a hard life. Started in show biz with his father, Nosmo King (real name Vernon Watson), as half of a music hall double act. Later worked as a monologuist and impersonator in radio. During the Second World War, he served as petty officer in the Royal Navy. An unlikely comedian during the first half of his career, he became a stalwart character actor in films of the 1960's and 70's, generally utilised as by-the-book police inspectors (Peeping Tom (1960), Konga (1961), or gruff, laconic soldiers (The Hill (1965), Tobruk (1967)). An avid sportsman in real life, he was effectively cast as Len Miller, captain of a Rugby League team, in Lindsay Anderson's This Sporting Life (1963). He also impressed in the villainous role of corrupt police officer Quince in The Strange Affair (1968).
Watson's career was rejuvenated in the 1970's, with strong parts in television, particularly as the star of The Rebellious Red Gauntlets (1970) and as Llud, right hand man to Oliver Tobias, in Arthur of the Britons (1972). He also made sporadic appearances on Coronation Street (1960) and Z Cars (1962). A man of few pretensions, Watson rejected offers from Hollywood, and remained firmly rooted to British screens. - Bill Wallis was born on 20 November 1936 in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Brazil (1985), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and The Bourne Identity (1988). He was married to Karen Mills and Jean Spalding. He died on 6 September 2013 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- While doing his national service he ran three theatres helping to rehabilitate servicemen then joined The Old Vic Theatre School for acting training and after completion accepted an invitation from Tyrone Guthrie to join the theatre's company headed by Donald Wolfit. Spending a season there he appeared in King Lear and Tamburlaine then moved into London's West End appearing in such as Pay the Piper, The Burning Boat, The Devils Disciple, the Rule of Three and The Happiest Millionaire. Moving into films he appeared in such as Funeral in Berlin, Diamonds Are Forever and Pope Joan. Being fluent in German he was cast as a German in such as Operation Crossbow. and Attack on the 'iron Coast. On television he played Chingachgook in the serial of The Last of the Mohicans which won him an Emmy nomination as Best Actor, Over 10 years he took four roles in the series Dr Who and guest starred in such series as Blakes Seven and Red Dwarf and the second and third series of The Survivors. Other roles include parts in Redcap, Minder, Bergerac, The Bill and Casualty. His two sons Sebastian and Daniel are also actors.
- Clare Kelly was born on 25 February 1922 in Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Cuckoo Waltz (1975), A Kind of Loving (1982) and Five to One (1963). She died on 18 February 2001 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Of all the films that Graham Moffatt worked on, about half were with Will Hay, in his Billy-Bunter style persona. After being dropped by Will Hay, Moffatt (and Moore Marriott) went on to support Edmund Gwenn in Cheer Boys Cheer (1939) and Arthur Askey in Band Waggon (1940). The last film he made with Moore Marriott was in 1943, after which the pair went their separate ways. He left show business to run a pub, but appeared in many more films, up to the age of 44.
- Peter Birrel married actress Stephanie Cole only a few years before he died. They appeared together in a play early in both of their careers and met up by chance some 40 or so years later. Peter is widely celebrated for his role as the Draconian Prince in Frontier in Space: Episode One (1973)-Frontier in Space: Episode Two (1973) and Frontier in Space: Episode Five (1973)-Frontier in Space: Episode Six (1973).
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Born in Nottingham to a mother who was one of the first women stage directors in Britain and a father who was a revue actor. He later moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music then went to drama school during which time he appeared in many school broadcasts for the BBC. After winning the Drama Cup he joined the Regents Park Open Air Theatre where he spent 3 seasons during which time he was also doing a great deal of broadcasting. and it was on the radio show 'Accent on Youth' which led him into revue. The writers Peter Myers and Alec Grahame gave him a chance in their Theatre Club Revues when he replaced Michael Medwin.Following this he did 'High Spirts' at the London Hippodrome and subsequently 6 seasons of Fol-de-Rols. While doing the show in Edinburgh he was spotted by George Innes who booked him for BBC television's 'High Summer' He has 4 daughters including twins.- Christopher Rozycki was born on 15 October 1943 in Rozprza, Lódzkie, Poland. He was an actor, known for Local Hero (1983), The Saint (1997) and Truly Madly Deeply (1990). He was married to Joanna Hole and Maria Ficenes. He died on 10 April 2015 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Christine Pollon was born in 1927 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for Romeo and Juliet (1962), The Avengers (1961) and Boyd Q.C. (1956). She was married to Donald Hewlett. She died on 29 August 2012 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jerold Wells was born on 8 August 1908 in Wallington, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Time Bandits (1981), Great Expectations (1959) and Curry & Chips (1969). He died on 19 July 1999 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Howard Goorney was born on 11 May 1921 in Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Fiddler on the Roof (1971), The Last Days of Pompeii (1984) and Crucible of Horror (1971). He was married to Stella Riley. He died on 29 March 2007 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Producer
- Writer
Seafield Head was born in 1919 in Surrey, England, UK. Seafield was a producer and writer, known for Feature Story (1949), New Minds for a New Firm (1960) and Divertimento (1968). Seafield was married to Helen Shingler. Seafield died on 22 March 2009 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
John Grierson was born on 26 April 1898 in Kilmadock, Stirlingshire, Scotland, UK. He was a producer and writer, known for Drifters (1929), Child's Play (1954) and Brandy for the Parson (1952). He was married to Margaret Grierson. He died on 19 February 1972 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Steven Hicks was born on 22 June 1959 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA. He died on 18 June 1978 in Bath, Ohio, USA.
- Stacy Moskowitz was born on 6 June 1957 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. She died on 1 August 1977 in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Roberts was born on 20 July 1939 in Woking, Surrey, England, UK. Mike is known for Lost in Space (1998), Mississippi Burning (1988) and Angel Heart (1987). Mike was married to Eileen Bellson. Mike died on 24 May 2000 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Valerie Gearon was born on 27 September 1937 in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), Persuasion (1971) and Thursday Theatre (1964). She was married to Kip Gowans. She died on 9 July 2003 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Dick King-Smith was born on 27 March 1922 in Bitton, Gloucestershire, England, UK. He was a writer, known for Babe (1995), The Water Horse (2007) and Babe: Pig in the City (1998). He was married to Zona Bedding and Myrle King-Smith. He died on 4 January 2011 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Acker Bilk was born on 28 January 1929 in Pensford, Somerset, England, UK. He was a composer and actor, known for Red Heat (1988), There's Something About Mary (1998) and The Courier (2020). He was married to Jean Hawkins. He died on 2 November 2014 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Seymour Handler was born on 26 November 1931 in the USA. He was married to Rita Sillvia Stoecker Handler. He died on 16 September 2018 in Bath, Pennsylvania, USA.
- E.J. Osborne was married to Anne-Marie. He died on 21 September 2020 in Bath, UK.
- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Gordon Thomas was born on 21 February 1933 in Wales, UK. He was a producer and writer, known for When Time Ran Out... (1980), Tomorrow's World (1965) and Voyage of the Damned (1976). He was married to Anne Nightingale and Edith. He died on 3 March 2017 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Anne Iddon was born on 9 September 1935 in Croydon, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Little Women (1958), Z Cars (1962) and Probation Officer (1959). She was married to Edward Hardwicke. She died on 4 August 2000 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Christopher Samuel Youd aka John Christoher aka Samuel Youd is a British writer of science fiction who is best known for his post-apocalyptic novels 'The Death of Grass' aka 'No Blade of Grass' (1957) and 'The Gaurdians' (1970), and the popular trilogy 'The Tripods' (1967-68). He became well known during 1950s, along with fellow science fiction writers 'Jack Finney', Richard Matheson, and John Wyndham, and has since published over 70 books.
Many of his books and stories have been adapted to film, most notably, No Blade of Grass (1970) and the hugely popular The Tripods (1984). His numerous short fiction has appeared in 'Weird Tales', 'Astounding Science Fiction', and 'Galaxy Science Fiction'. 'The Death of Grass' was serialized in 'The Saturday Evening Post' in seven parts. In 1988 he wrote the long-awaited prequel to his 'Tripods' trilogy, 'When the Tripods Came'. - Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Alexander Thynne was born on 6 May 1932 in London, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Blueblood (1974), Pet Shop Boys: Rent (1987) and Trigger Happy TV (2000). He was married to Anna Gaël. He died on 4 April 2020 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Miles Kington was born on 13 May 1941 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. He was a writer, known for The Punch Review (1975), Secombe with Music (1980) and Took and Co. (1977). He was married to Hilary Caroline Maynard and Sarah Paine. He died on 30 January 2008 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
Peter West was one of the most versatile journalists of his generation. As a freelancer, he worked for the BBC in radio and television for forty years in every department, except Drama. He covered BBC cricket for 35 summers, rugby union for forty winters, 27 Wimbledon tennis tournaments and various other broadcasting assignments, including the long-running "Come Dancing". He was a cricket and rugby union correspondent for "The Times" and "The Daily Telegraph" for a number of years. He was the founding editor of "The Playfair Cricket Annual" from 1948 to 1953 and was the first President of the Cheltenham Cricket Society. He was a genial anchorman for the BBC's televised Test Cricket coverage, during the seventies and eighties. While doing this, he formed a successful partnership with Ted Dexter and others. He co-founded a successful public relations consultancy, called 'West McNally'. Upon his retirement, he published his autobiography, "Flannelled Fool and Muddied Oaf", which reflected his great love of cricket and rugger. He was educated at Cranbrook School and kept a lifelong interest by becoming involved in various 'old boy' organisations. He was a devoted family man and gardener. He had been married to Pauline for 57 years, when he died in Bath on 2nd September 2003, following a long illness. The couple had two sons, a daughter and several grandchildren.- Art Director
- Art Department
Jack Maxsted was born on 30 April 1916 in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England, UK. He was an art director, known for Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). He was married to Edna M Barton. He died in September 2001 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Dennis Bowen was born on 7 December 1916 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950), Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass (1948) and La belle Hélène (1951). He was married to Billie Baker. He died on 5 October 1999 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Lewis Gedge was born on 20 May 1906 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Secret Cave (1953), Saturday Playhouse (1958) and The Farmer's Wife (1955). He died on 22 January 1960 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Actor
- Director
David Ponting was born on 16 April 1936 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England, UK. He was an actor and director, known for American Playhouse (1980), Miss Julie (1991) and Leap in the Dark (1973). He died on 22 November 2018 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Art Department
- Art Director
- Set Decorator
Ken Bridgeman was born on 25 May 1930 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, UK. He was an art director and set decorator, known for Straw Dogs (1971), The Prisoner (1967) and Billy Liar (1963). He died on 3 December 2005 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Wilfred Boyle was born on 4 September 1910 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Will Any Gentleman...? (1953), The Case of the Red Monkey (1955) and The Avengers (1961). He died on 20 March 1984 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Actress
- Art Department
- Additional Crew
Alicia Markova was born on 1 December 1910 in London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Giselle (1952), A Song for Miss Julie (1945) and Dr. Coppelius (1966). She died on 2 December 2004 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Nat Ayer was born on 30 September 1887 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He is known for Wonder Woman (2017), Titanic (1997) and Reds (1981). He died on 19 September 1952 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Bill Lynton was born in 1914 in the UK. He was an actor, known for Candid Camera (1960), ITV Play of the Week (1955) and Mother Goose (1965). He died on 13 January 1976 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Jonathan Myles-Lea was born on 23 January 1969 in Southport, Merseyside, England, UK. He died on 25 August 2021 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Make-Up Department
Ronnie Cogan was born in 1935 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, UK. Ronnie is known for The Boys from Brazil (1978), A Bridge Too Far (1977) and The Killing Fields (1984). Ronnie died in 2002 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Joyce Molyneux was born on 17 April 1931 in Handsworth, Birmingham, England, UK. She died on 27 October 2022 in Bath, England, UK.
- Costume Designer
- Production Designer
- Art Department
Johan Engels was born in April 1952 in South Africa. He was a costume designer and production designer, known for Survivor (1987), The Native Who Caused All the Trouble (1989) and An African Dream (1988). He died on 7 November 2014 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Judith Trafford was born on 22 May 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She was an actress, known for Untamed Women (1952), Chicago Calling (1951) and Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1949). She died on 15 November 2020 in Bath, Maine, USA.
- Leonard Pearcey was born in 1938 in Westminster, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Demolition Man (1975), Music Now (1968) and Viewpoint (1959). He died on 18 December 2018 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Leonard Calvert was born on 21 July 1857 in Lambeth, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Dance of Death (1928) and Old Scrooge (1913). He died on 15 February 1940 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Jack Popplewell was born on 22 March 1911 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was a writer, known for Tread Softly Stranger (1958), Skulle det dukke opp flere lik er det bare å ringe..... (1970) and Kraft Mystery Theater (1961). He died on 16 November 1996 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.- Charles Ware was born on 8 November 1935 in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. He was married to Helena Gwladys Ma Harding, Veronica (Bunny) Sheppard and Helen Robinson. He died on 4 July 2015 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Daphne Lewcun was born on 17 December 1929 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK. She died on 27 January 1991 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
- Everett Pope was born on 16 July 1919 in Milton, Massachusetts, USA. He was married to Eleanor Hawkins. He died on 16 July 2009 in Bath, Maine, USA.