British actors died at age 78
Here are 23 famous actors from United Kingdom died at 78:
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter (October 10, 1930 Metropolitan Borough of Hackney-December 24, 2008 London) also known as Sir Harold Pinter, David Baron or Harold Pinter, CH, CBE was a British playwright, author, poet, screenwriter, actor, theatre director, social activist, writer, political activist and film director. His child is Daniel Brand Pinter.
He died as a result of cancer.
Harold Pinter was one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century, known for his distinctive writing style that explored the themes of power, betrayal, and human relationships. He wrote over 30 plays, including "The Birthday Party," "Betrayal," and "The Homecoming," which have been performed on stages all over the world. In addition to his work as a playwright, Pinter was also a successful screenwriter, with credits that include the films "The French Lieutenant's Woman," "The Remains of the Day," and "Sleuth." He was awarded numerous prestigious honors throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2005. Pinter was also an outspoken political activist, advocating for human rights and social justice causes. Despite his fame and success, Pinter remained deeply committed to his family and friends throughout his life, and was remembered by many as a kind and humble man.
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Jack Watling
Jack Watling (January 13, 1923 Chingford-May 22, 2001 Chelmsford) also known as Jack Stanley Watling was a British actor. He had four children, Deborah Watling, Dilys Watling, Giles Watling and Nicola Watling.
He died in cancer.
During his career, Jack Watling appeared in over 80 films and television shows. He was often cast in supporting roles and appeared in several popular British TV series such as Doctor Who, The Avengers, and The Saint. Some of his notable film roles include The Winslow Boy, Dunkirk, and The Giant Behemoth.
Watling served in the Royal Navy during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service. In addition to his acting work, he was a keen sailor and owned his own yacht.
His daughter, Deborah Watling, also had a successful acting career and is known for her role as Victoria Waterfield in Doctor Who.
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Clifford Williams
Clifford Williams (December 30, 1926 Cardiff-August 20, 2005 London) was a British theatre director, actor, ballet dancer, playwright and writer. His children are called Anouk Williams and Tara Williams.
Williams began his career in ballet as a dancer with the Sadler's Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet) and later with the Ballet Rambert. He then transitioned to acting in the 1950s and worked extensively on stage, television, and film throughout his career.
As a director, Williams was known for his innovative and unconventional productions, often bringing new life to classic works. He was a frequent collaborator with playwright Edward Bond, directing several of his plays including "Saved" and "The Sea."
Williams also wrote his own plays, including "Close the Coalhouse Door" which was inspired by his experiences growing up in a mining town in Wales.
In addition to his artistic work, Williams was also an advocate for social justice and was involved in political activism throughout his life.
He was married twice, first to actress Sheila Allen and later to actress Dilys Hamlett.
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Patrick Garland
Patrick Garland (April 10, 1935 England-April 19, 2013 Worthing) was a British writer, film director, actor, television director, film producer and television producer.
He began his career as an actor, appearing in various plays and films, including the 1963 film adaptation of "Lord of the Flies." However, he soon transitioned into directing, producing, and writing for both stage and screen. He directed a number of successful productions in the West End, including "The Owl and the Pussycat" and "Loot." Garland was also known for his work in television, directing and producing programs such as "The Jewel in the Crown" and "A Voyage Round My Father." He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the CBE in 2000 for his contributions to drama.
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Richard Wordsworth
Richard Wordsworth (January 19, 1915 Halesowen-November 21, 1993 Kendal) also known as Richard Curwen Wordsworth was a British actor.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and made his stage debut in the 1930s. Wordsworth appeared in numerous British films, including "The Small Back Room" (1949) and "The Man in the White Suit" (1951). He is perhaps best known for his role as the blind hermit in the classic horror film "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957). In addition to his acting career, Wordsworth was also a poet and published several collections of his work.
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Bertram Wallis
Bertram Wallis (February 22, 1874 London-April 11, 1952 England) was a British actor and singer.
He was born in London, England, and began his career as an actor in theaters in the early 1900s. Wallis later transitioned to singing and became a popular performer in London's music halls. He frequently collaborated with other popular performers of the time, including Vesta Tilley and Marie Lloyd.
In addition to his work as a performer, Wallis was also a songwriter and composer. He wrote several popular songs, including "The Nobbler" and "I Love Her So," which were frequently performed by other music hall performers.
Wallis continued to perform throughout his career and was well-regarded by his peers and audiences alike. He passed away in England in 1952 at the age of 78.
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Peter Cartwright
Peter Cartwright (August 30, 1935 Krugersdorp-November 18, 2013 Greater London) was a British actor.
Peter Cartwright, born in Krugersdorp, South Africa, began his acting career in the late 1950s in the UK. He appeared in various film and television productions throughout his career, including "The Avengers," "The Saint," and "Doctor Who." Cartwright was also a stage actor, performing in productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. In addition to acting, he was a teacher of drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Cartwright passed away in November 2013 in Greater London at the age of 78.
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Bill Dean
Bill Dean (September 3, 1921 Everton, Liverpool-April 20, 2000 Upton) also known as Billy Dean, Patrick Connolly or Patrick Anthony Connolly was a British actor and soldier.
During World War II, Dean served in the British Army and fought in the Battle of Normandy. After the war, he turned to acting and appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, including "Zulu," "Doctor Who," and "EastEnders." He was also an accomplished stage actor, performing in numerous productions in London's West End. In addition to his acting career, Dean was actively involved in charity work and was a supporter of various veterans' organizations. He was awarded the MBE for his services to drama and charity in 1999, shortly before his death.
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Ben Greet
Ben Greet (September 24, 1857 London-May 17, 1936 London) a.k.a. Sir Philip Barling "Ben" Greet or Philip Barling Greet was a British actor-manager, actor, impresario and theatre director.
Greet began his career as a tour manager for a Shakespearean repertory company, eventually establishing his own troupe, the Ben Greet Players, in 1902. He was known for his dedication to producing accurate and authentic productions of Shakespeare's plays, with costumes, sets, and language that adhered closely to the Elizabethan era. He also pioneered the concept of "pageant plays," outdoor theatrical productions that incorporated elements of history and pageantry.
Greet was knighted in 1929 for his contributions to the theatre, and his legacy continued through the Ben Greet Memorial Fund, established after his death to support theatre projects and education.
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Ronald Howard
Ronald Howard (April 7, 1918 South Norwood-December 19, 1996 Bridport) was a British actor and writer. He had three children, Steven Howard, Anne Howard and Fenella Howard.
Ronald Howard was best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the 1954 television adaptation of the detective stories. He also appeared in several Hollywood films, including "The Queen of Spades" and "The Curse of the Werewolf". Howard started his career as a stage actor, and later transitioned to film and television. Alongside acting, he also wrote several scripts for television series. In addition to his successful acting career, Howard was also a decorated war veteran who served in the British Army during World War II. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during the war.
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Alec Mango
Alec Mango (March 16, 1911 Paddington-November 1, 1989 Westminster) also known as Alexander Anthony J. Mango was a British actor.
He was born to Greek and Russian parents and was fluent in multiple languages including English, French, Russian, and Greek. Mango began his acting career in the 1930s with small roles in British films. He later gained popularity for his performances in Hollywood blockbusters such as "The Young Lions" and "The Guns of Navarone". Mango was also a successful theater actor, earning critical acclaim for his performances in productions such as "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Caretaker". In addition to acting, Mango was a talented musician and composer, often incorporating his own original music into his performances. He was also a skilled linguist, translating plays and films into different languages. Mango's career spanned over four decades, and he left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
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Richard Coleman
Richard Coleman (January 20, 1930 Peckham-December 16, 2008 France) also known as Ronald Coleman was a British actor.
He is known for his lead roles in classic films such as "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1937) and "Lost Horizon" (1937). Coleman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "A Double Life" (1947). He continued to act in films and on stage throughout his career and also became a successful producer and director. In addition to his acting work, Coleman was also a licensed pilot and flew his own aircraft to film locations. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1948 for his services to the entertainment industry.
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Gene Gerrard
Gene Gerrard (August 31, 1892 Clapham-June 1, 1971 Sidmouth) a.k.a. Eugene Morris Sullivan was a British film director and actor.
Gene Gerrard started his career in the arts as a member of a local troupe in South London. He made his stage debut in 1909, and his first major film appearance in 1920’s "The Call of the Road". Over the next two decades, Gerrard appeared in over 80 films, frequently playing the roles of charming young men, charismatic leaders, or comic characters.
In addition to acting, Gerrard also directed several films, including "The Maid of the Mountains" (1932) and "Street Singer" (1937). He was known for his enthusiasm behind the camera and for his willingness to take risks in his productions.
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Gerrard's personal life was not without its struggles. He suffered from alcoholism and financial difficulties throughout his career, and was once imprisoned for fraud.
However, Gene Gerrard's legacy lives on as a talented and versatile actor and director, who made significant contributions to British cinema during its formative years.
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Garry Marsh
Garry Marsh (June 21, 1902 St Margarets, London-March 6, 1981 London) also known as Leslie Marsh Geraghty or Leslie March Geraghty was a British actor.
He died caused by natural causes.
Marsh began his career as a stage actor, appearing in productions such as "Hamlet" and "The Second Mrs Tanqueray". In the 1930s, he transitioned into film, starring in a number of British productions including "The Wandering Jew" and "The Chinese Puzzle". Marsh was known for his versatility, often playing a range of characters from heroic leads to sinister villains. He also had an extensive career on television, appearing in shows such as "The Avengers" and "Z Cars". Marsh remained active in his career up until his death at the age of 78.
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Barry Lupino
Barry Lupino (January 7, 1884 Southwark-September 26, 1962 Brighton) a.k.a. George Barry Lupino Hook or George Barry Hook was a British comedian, actor, film producer and television producer. His child is Antoinette Lupino.
Barry Lupino was a member of the Lupino family, which was well-known in the entertainment industry. His father, George Augustus Frederick Lupino, was a theatre manager and his siblings, Stanley Lupino and Lupino Lane, were also actors. Barry Lupino began his career as a stage actor and went on to produce and act in several films during the 1910s and 1920s. He also produced numerous television shows in the 1950s and 1960s, including the popular British sitcom, "Arthur's Treasured Volumes." In addition to his entertainment career, Lupino was also an accomplished athlete, having played football (soccer) for several professional teams. His daughter, Antoinette Lupino, also had a career in the entertainment industry as an actress and television presenter.
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Cecil Hepworth
Cecil Hepworth (March 19, 1874 Lambeth-February 9, 1953 Greenford) otherwise known as Cecil M. Hepworth or Cecil Milton Hepworth was a British film director, film producer, actor, cinematographer, screenwriter and inventor.
He was a pioneer in the early days of filmmaking, known for his contributions to the development of the British film industry. Hepworth began his career as a stage actor before transitioning into filmmaking in the late 1890s. He founded his own production company, Hepworth Manufacturing Company, in 1899 and went on to produce and direct hundreds of films over the course of his career.
Hepworth was known for his innovative filmmaking techniques, including the use of close-ups and cross-cutting. He also invented a number of filmmaking devices, including an early version of the film camera and a special effects device known as the "magic box."
One of Hepworth's most famous films was the 1903 short The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which is the earliest known film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective stories. Hepworth also directed the controversial 1910 film The Taming of the Shrew, which featured an onscreen kiss between the two lead actors, something that was considered scandalous at the time.
Hepworth continued to work in the film industry until the early 1940s, when he retired due to failing eyesight. He passed away in 1953 at the age of 78, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of cinema.
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Edward Hardwicke
Edward Hardwicke (August 7, 1932 London-May 16, 2011 Chichester) also known as Edward Hardwick or Edward Cedric Hardwicke was a British actor and military officer. His children are Kate Hardwicke, Emma Hardwicke and Claire Hardwicke.
He died as a result of cancer.
Edward Hardwicke was born in London to actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke and actress Helena Pickard. He followed in his parents' footsteps and pursued a career in acting after completing his education. He started his acting career in the late 1950s and went on to appear in numerous films, TV shows and stage productions over the years.
Hardwicke is best known for his role as Dr. John Watson in the ITV television series "The Return of Sherlock Holmes", which aired from 1986 to 1994. He played the role opposite Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes and his portrayal of Watson is considered one of the best in the character's history.
Apart from his acting career, Hardwicke also served in the British Army and was a member of the Royal Air Force. He was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to drama in 1996.
Throughout his career, Hardwicke worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor. He was also a respected stage actor and appeared in numerous productions in London's West End and on Broadway.
Hardwicke remained active in the entertainment industry until his death in 2011 at the age of 78. He is remembered as a talented and versatile actor who made a significant contribution to British theatre, film, and television.
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Sydney Bromley
Sydney Bromley (July 24, 1909 London-August 14, 1987 Worthing) also known as Sidney Charles Bromley or Sidney Bromley was a British actor.
He made his acting debut on stage in 1924 and went on to perform in numerous productions throughout his career. Bromley also appeared in various films and TV shows including "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "The NeverEnding Story", and "Fawlty Towers" among others. He was known for his comedic roles and often played eccentric and quirky characters. In addition to his work as an actor, Bromley was also a skilled puppeteer and worked as one for several films. He was married twice and had six children. Bromley passed away in 1987 at the age of 78.
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Roddy Hughes
Roddy Hughes (June 19, 1891 Porthmadog-February 22, 1970 Sussex) also known as Rhodri Henry Hughes, Rodri Henry Hughes or Rody Hughes was a British actor.
He had a prolific career in the entertainment industry, appearing in over 60 films and numerous stage productions. Hughes started his acting career in the early 1920s, and quickly became a popular character actor. He appeared in many British classics such as "A Night to Remember" (1958), "The Longest Day" (1962) and "Dr. No" (1962). Later on in his career, he became known for playing small roles in popular television shows such as "The Avengers" and "The Saint." Hughes was also a respected theater actor, having appeared in productions of "Hamlet" and "Macbeth." He was a founding member of the theatrical group The Old Vic Company. Hughes was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1959 for his services to drama.
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Terry-Thomas
Terry-Thomas (July 10, 1911 Finchley-January 8, 1990 Godalming) also known as Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens, Terry Thomas, Thos Stevens, Thomas Stevens, Big Moustache, Thomas Terry, Thomas Terry Hoar-Stevens or Tom was a British actor, screenwriter, film producer and comedian. He had two children, Timothy Stevens and Cushan Stevens.
He died as a result of parkinson's disease.
Terry-Thomas was born Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens in Finchley, London, England. He began his career as a stage actor and later transitioned to film and television. He became known for his impeccable comedic timing and his iconic gap-toothed smile. Terry-Thomas appeared in over 50 films, including "I'm All Right Jack", "Private's Progress", and "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines". He also had success on television with his own comedy show, "How Do You View?". Terry-Thomas was known for his dapper, debonair appearance and his trademark mustache. In addition to his acting career, he was also a skilled screenwriter and film producer. Terry-Thomas passed away at age 78 from Parkinson's disease.
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Henry Oscar
Henry Oscar (July 14, 1891 Hornsey-December 28, 1969 London) a.k.a. Harry Oscar or Henry Wale was a British actor.
He appeared in over 180 films, including roles in Pygmalion (1938), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), and The Queen of Spades (1949). Oscar began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film in the 1920s. He was known for his versatile character roles and distinctive deep voice. In addition to his acting career, Oscar was also a talented singer and had a successful career as a recording artist. He received critical acclaim for his performances in several theatrical productions throughout his career, including Shakespearean plays such as Othello and The Merchant of Venice. Oscar was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1953 for his contributions to the arts.
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Garfield Morgan
Garfield Morgan (April 19, 1931 Birmingham-December 5, 2009 London) was a British actor.
He died in cancer.
Throughout his career, Garfield Morgan appeared in numerous films, television shows, and theatrical productions. He first gained recognition in the mid-1950s after appearing in several British films, including "The Good Die Young" and "Manuela." In the 1960s and 1970s, he continued to work steadily in British film and television, starring in shows such as "The Saint," "The Avengers," and "Z-Cars."
In the 1980s, Morgan received critical acclaim for his role as Detective Chief Inspector Paddy O'Sullivan in the popular ITV drama "The Sweeney." He later appeared in the long-running BBC sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" and the ITV drama "Peak Practice."
Morgan's stage work included performances in the West End productions of "Round and Round the Garden" and "The Homecoming." He was also a founding member of the Actors Centre in London.
In addition to his acting work, Morgan was a skilled marksman and a member of the National Small-bore Rifle Association. He was also a passionate advocate for animal welfare and served as a trustee of the animal charity, The Brooke Hospital for Animals.
Morgan was married twice and had three children. He died at the age of 78 in London from cancer.
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Frank Maher
Frank Maher (June 18, 1929 London-July 13, 2007 Newport, Isle of Wight) also known as Francis James Maher was a British actor and stunt performer.
He died in emphysema.
Maher's career began as a stunt performer in the 1950s, where he worked on films such as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Lawrence of Arabia". He also doubled for actors such as Sean Connery and Richard Harris in their James Bond and western films, respectively.
Later in his career, Maher transitioned into acting roles, where he appeared in TV shows like "The Sweeney" and "Dempsey and Makepeace". His most notable role was as Billy the Kid in the cult classic film "Jubilee" directed by Derek Jarman in 1978.
Maher was known for performing his own stunts well into his 60s, even after suffering from a heart attack. He was credited with over 150 stunt credits throughout his career, and received the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Special Award in 2002 for his contributions to the film industry.
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