Here are 14 famous actors from United Kingdom died at 55:
John Gregson (March 15, 1919 Liverpool-January 8, 1975 Porlock Weir) also known as Harold Thomas Gregson or Harold John Gregson was a British actor.
He died in myocardial infarction.
John Gregson is best known for his roles in popular films and TV series. He started his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in over 40 films including "The Lavender Hill Mob" (1951), "Genevieve" (1953), and "The Battle of the River Plate" (1956). He also appeared in numerous British TV series including "Gideon's Way" and "The Forsyte Saga". Despite his success, Gregson suffered from depression and alcoholism which eventually led to his sudden death at the age of 55. He was married to the actress Ida Reddish and they had three children together.
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Richard Massingham (January 31, 1898 Sleaford-April 1, 1953 Biddenden) also known as Dr. Richard Massingham or Richard Masshingham was a British physician, actor, film producer, screenwriter and film director.
He is best known for his short comedy films produced during the 1940s, which were shown in cinemas across the United Kingdom. Massingham often featured in his own films, where he played characters such as a hapless homeowner or an inept public servant. He was known for his comic timing and often used satire to poke fun at British society and its institutions. In addition to his film work, Massingham also wrote several books and articles about medical topics and worked as a consultant for the British government during World War II.
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Howard Marion-Crawford (January 17, 1914 London-November 24, 1969 Chelsea) also known as Howard Francis Marion-Crawford, Boni, H. Marion Crawford, Howard Marion Crawford, Howard Crawford, H. Marion-Crawford or Boney was a British actor. His children are Charles Marion-Crawford and Harold Francis Marion-Crawford.
He died as a result of sleeping pills.
Marion-Crawford is best known for his role in the popular TV series "The Adventures of Robin Hood," in which he played the Sheriff of Nottingham. He also had prominent roles in several other films and TV shows, including "The Crawling Eye" and "The Trollenberg Terror." Marion-Crawford was a talented voice actor as well, lending his voice to many radio dramas during the 1940s and 1950s. He served in the British Army during World War II before embarking on his acting career.
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Billy Bennett (April 5, 1887 Glasgow-June 30, 1942 Blackpool) also known as William Robertson Russell Bennett was a British comedian and actor.
He was particularly popular in the 1920s and 1930s for his trademark monologues and songs, which featured humorous observations on everyday life in the UK. Bennett often performed in a working-class character, drawing on his own upbringing in a poor area of Glasgow.
Born into a family of ten children, Bennett worked a variety of odd jobs before launching his career in entertainment. He got his start performing in vaudeville shows and soon became a popular act on the British music hall circuit.
In addition to his performing career, Bennett was also a prolific songwriter and recording artist. He recorded several albums and singles, many of which became popular hits in the UK.
Bennett tragically died of a heart attack while performing on stage in Blackpool in 1942, at the age of 55. Despite his early passing, his legacy as one of the UK's most beloved comedians and entertainers lives on today.
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Alexis Korner (April 19, 1928 Paris-January 1, 1984 City of Westminster) also known as Korner, Alexis, Alexis Andrew Nicholas Koerner, Founding Father of British Blues, Alexis Korner and His New Church, Alexis Korner and Blues Incorporated or Alexis Corner was a British singer, historian, musician, songwriter, presenter, guitarist and actor. He had three children, Damian Korner, Nicholas Korner and Sappho Gillett Korner.
He died as a result of lung cancer.
Throughout his career, Alexis Korner was a major influence on the British blues scene and helped launch the careers of many famous musicians, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton. He was known for blending blues music with jazz, rock, and folk styles to create a unique sound.
Korner began his career in the 1950s playing skiffle music before transitioning to the blues. He formed the band Blues Incorporated which became a staple in the London music scene. Throughout the 1960s, he released several albums including "Blues Incorporated", "R&B from the Marquee", and "Sky High".
In addition to his work as a musician, Korner was a radio presenter on the BBC and wrote several books about the history of the blues. He also acted in films, including the 1972 film "The Final Programme".
Korner's influence on British music can still be felt today, and he is remembered as a pioneer of the British blues scene.
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Steve Strange (May 28, 1959 Newbridge-February 12, 2015) a.k.a. Steven John Harrington, Strange, Steve or Steve John Harrington was a British singer, actor and businessperson.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Steve Strange was best known as the lead singer of the 1980s new wave band Visage. The band's hit songs included "Fade to Grey" and "Mind of a Toy". Strange was also a prominent figure in the New Romantic movement, a subculture that emerged in the UK music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Aside from his music career, Strange also appeared in a number of films, including "Absolute Beginners" and "Dope". He also owned and managed several nightclub venues in London, including the Blitz Club, which was a popular spot for New Romantic enthusiasts.
Throughout his career, Strange's unique fashion sense and androgynous appearance made him a style icon and influenced many other musicians and artists. In 2002, he published his autobiography, "Blitzed!", chronicling his experiences in the music and fashion industry.
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Maxwell Reed (April 2, 1919 Larne-August 16, 1974 London) was a British actor.
He died caused by cancer.
Reed started his acting career in the 1940s and starred in several British films, including "The Saint in London" and "The Saint's Vacation" alongside actor George Sanders. He also had a role in the film "The Blue Lagoon" in 1949. Reed was married to actress Joan Collins for four years and their relationship was subject to much media attention. In addition to his acting career, Reed was also a successful hotelier and owned properties in London and Cannes. Despite his success, Reed became involved in several scandals in his personal life, including bankruptcy and allegations of fraud.
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Hal Osmond (April 5, 2015 London-December 1, 1959 Taunton) also known as Hal Osmonde was a British actor and character actor.
Osmond appeared in over 70 films and television shows during his career, which spanned from the 1930s to the 1950s. He is best known for his roles in the films "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) and "The Big Sleep" (1946), both directed by John Huston. Osmond was also a skilled stage actor, performing on Broadway in productions such as "Design for Living" (1933) and "The Petrified Forest" (1935). In addition to his acting work, Osmond was a talented artist and illustrator, creating original works as well as contributing to the art department on film sets.
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David Munro (July 1, 1944 London-August 5, 1999 London) also known as David Ivor Munro, David I. Munro or Ivor David Munro was a British film director, actor, film producer, television director and television producer. He had two children, Truan Munro and Natalia Munro.
Munro started his career as a child actor, appearing in numerous films and television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. As an adult, he went on to direct and produce a number of successful films and TV shows, including "The Sweeney" (1975-78), "Minder" (1979-94), and "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet" (1983-86).
He also directed several films, including "Out of Season" (1975) and "Slayground" (1983), both of which received critical acclaim. Munro was known for his gritty, realistic style of filmmaking, and his work often explored tough and controversial subject matter.
Outside of his film and television work, Munro was an accomplished stage actor, appearing in numerous productions throughout his career. He was also a skilled musician, playing several instruments including the guitar and the piano.
Sadly, Munro passed away in 1999 at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking film and television work that continues to be celebrated today.
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Anthony Ireland (February 4, 1902 Arequipa-December 4, 1957 London) also known as Antony Ireland was a British actor.
Ireland started his acting career in theatre, performing on stage in various productions. He later transitioned into film, appearing in over 40 movies throughout his career. Some of his notable films include "The Saint in London" (1939), "The Saint's Vacation" (1941), and "Dear Murderer" (1947).
Aside from acting, Ireland was also an accomplished screenwriter, having written several films including "The Amazing Mr. Beecham" (1949) and "The Rossiter Case" (1951). He was also a talented artist and exhibited his paintings and drawings in London.
During World War II, Ireland served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter pilot. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery and service.
Sadly, Ireland passed away at the age of 55 from a heart attack while in London.
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Mark Dawson (February 4, 1960 London-April 5, 2015) also known as Mark Richard Dawson was a British actor and businessperson.
Dawson began his acting career in the 1980s in theatres around London. He later transitioned to the television and film industry and became a popular actor in the UK. Some of his notable works include roles in the films "Prince of Shadows" and "The Last Train to Venice" as well as appearances in TV shows such as "The Bill" and "Silent Witness".
In addition to his acting career, Dawson was also a successful businessperson. He founded the e-learning company Futureproofs and the self-publishing platform The Self-Publishing Formula, which helped aspiring authors bring their works to the market. Dawson was considered a leading expert in the field and published several books on self-publishing.
Dawson passed away in 2015 at the age of 55 due to a sudden illness. He was survived by his wife and four children.
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Basil Radford (June 25, 1897 Chester-October 20, 1952 London) also known as Arthur Basil Radford was a British actor.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Radford was born in Chester, Cheshire, England on June 25th, 1897, and was educated at Trent College in Nottinghamshire. He began his acting career in the 1920s, performing on stage in various productions. He made his screen debut in the 1930 film "A Warm Corner" and went on to appear in over 50 films throughout his career.
Radford was best known for his roles in a series of British comedies in the 1940s, including "The Happiest Days of Your Life" (1950) and "Passport to Pimlico" (1949). He frequently played the role of an uptight, authority figure, often paired with the more anarchic character played by actor Naunton Wayne. The duo appeared together in several films, including "Jamaica Inn" (1939) and "Dead of Night" (1945).
Radford was also a talented stage actor, appearing in numerous productions in London's West End. He was also a successful writer, penning several plays and adaptations for the stage, including an adaptation of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" which premiered in London in 1938.
Radford was married to actress Irene Handl from 1949 until his death in London on October 20th, 1952 from a heart attack.
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Fewlass Llewellyn (March 5, 1886 Kingston upon Hull-June 16, 1941 London) a.k.a. F. Llewellyn was a British actor.
He began his career as a stage actor, performing in various British theaters before transitioning to film acting in the 1920s. He appeared in many popular films of his time, including "The Lodger" (1927) and "Bulldog Drummond" (1929). Llewellyn was known for his versatility as an actor, playing a wide range of roles throughout his career. He continued to act in films and on stage until his death in 1941.
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Michael Elphick (September 19, 1946 Chichester-September 7, 2002 Willesden) a.k.a. Michael John Elphick was a British actor. His child is called Kate Elphick.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
Elphick rose to prominence in the 1980s British film and television industry, with starring roles in the TV series "Boon" and films such as "The Elephant Man" and "Withnail and I." He also appeared in numerous other television shows and movies throughout his career, including "EastEnders," "Casualty," and "The Bill." In addition to his acting work, he was known for his love of motorbikes and was a regular at racing events. Elphick battled alcoholism for much of his adult life, and his death at the age of 55 was a shock to his fans and colleagues.
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