British actors died in 1980
Here are 14 famous actors from United Kingdom died in 1980:
Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers (September 8, 1925 Southsea-July 24, 1980 Fitzrovia) a.k.a. Richard Henry "Peter" Sellers, Richard Henry Sellers, Peter Sellers CBE, A. Queen, Peter or Richard Henry was a British actor, screenwriter, film director, comedian and singer. He had three children, Victoria Sellers, Michael Sellers and Sarah Sellers.
Peter Sellers is best known for his comedic roles in popular films such as "The Pink Panther" series, "Dr. Strangelove", and "Being There". He was a master of character acting and had an incredible ability to transform into his roles, often playing multiple characters in a single film. Sellers received three Academy Award nominations throughout his career and was awarded a BAFTA in 1960.
Sellers' personal life was tumultuous, with four marriages and financial struggles. He suffered a heart attack in 1964 and in 1977, suffered a series of heart attacks that left him in a coma for two days. Sellers passed away in 1980 at the age of 54 due to another heart attack.
Despite his challenges, Sellers' impact on the entertainment industry was significant and he is remembered as one of the greatest comedic actors in history.
Read more about Peter Sellers on Wikipedia »
John Laurie
John Laurie (March 25, 1897 Dumfries-June 23, 1980 Chalfont St Peter) also known as John Paton Laurie or John Lawrie was a British actor, soldier and architect. He had one child, Veronica Laurie.
During World War I, Laurie joined the British army and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in 1918. After the war, he studied architecture and worked briefly as an architect before pursuing his passion for acting. Laurie performed in numerous stage productions and films, including the role of Private Frazer in the popular television series Dad's Army. He also played the character of James MacPherson in the film "I Know Where I'm Going!" directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Laurie was known for his distinctive voice and Scottish accent, and he continued acting until his death in 1980 at the age of 83.
Read more about John Laurie on Wikipedia »
Heron Carvic
Heron Carvic (January 21, 1913 London-February 9, 1980 Ashford) was a British actor and writer.
Carvic trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and went on to perform in several plays and films. In the 1950s, he turned to writing and created the character of Miss Emily D. Seeton, an elderly spinster with a unique talent for drawing sketches that help solve crimes. This character became the protagonist of a series of humorous crime novels, starting with "Picture Miss Seeton" in 1968. Carvic wrote nine books in the series before his death in 1980. The character was later picked up by other writers, and the series reached 23 books in total. Carvic is remembered as a versatile entertainer, equally at home on stage and on the page.
Read more about Heron Carvic on Wikipedia »
John Lennon
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 Liverpool-December 8, 1980 New York City) also known as Lennon, John Winston Ono Lennon, John Ono Lennon, John Winston Lennon, J. Lennon, Plastic Ono Band, John, John Ono Lennon, MBE, John Winston Ono Lennon MBE or The Beatles was a British artist, musician, singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player, actor, record producer, film director, film producer, screenwriter, writer, film score composer, activist, composer, visual artist and music artist. He had two children, Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon.
Aside from being known as a member of the legendary band The Beatles, John Lennon also had a successful solo career. He released several albums during his solo career, including Imagine, Mind Games, and Walls and Bridges. Lennon was also known for his activism and outspoken views on politics and peace. He and his wife Yoko Ono famously staged a week-long "bed-in for peace" in protest of the Vietnam War. Lennon's life was tragically cut short when he was shot and killed by an obsessed fan outside his apartment building in New York City in 1980. He remains one of the most influential and iconic figures in music history.
Read more about John Lennon on Wikipedia »
Reginald Gardiner
Reginald Gardiner (February 27, 1903 London-July 7, 1980 Westwood) also known as William Reginald Gardiner was a British actor.
He began his acting career in England in 1926 and later moved to Hollywood in the 1930s. Gardiner was known for his distinctive voice, impeccable comedic timing, and his ability to play various character roles. He appeared in over 100 films and TV shows in his career, including "The Great Dictator" (1940), "The Harvey Girls" (1946), "The Son of Lassie" (1945), "The Night of the Hunter" (1955), and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (1964). In addition to his acting career, he was also a successful writer, composer, and stage director. Gardiner passed away in 1980 at the age of 77 in Westwood, Los Angeles.
Read more about Reginald Gardiner on Wikipedia »
Marcello Pagliero
Marcello Pagliero (January 15, 1907 London-October 18, 1980 Paris) a.k.a. Marcel Pagliero or M. Pagliero was a British screenwriter, actor and film director.
He was born to an Italian father and an English mother, and spent most of his childhood in Italy. Pagliero began his career in the film industry in the 1930s, initially as an actor. He appeared in several Italian films, including the neorealist classic "Rome, Open City" (1945), which he also co-wrote and co-directed.
Pagliero's directorial work often dealt with social and political themes, and he was known for his leftist views. He continued to work in the film industry until the 1970s, directing a total of eight feature films, and also worked as a screenwriter and actor.
In addition to his film work, Pagliero was a member of the French Resistance during World War II, and played a key role in the liberation of Paris. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his efforts.
Pagliero died in Paris in 1980 at the age of 73.
Read more about Marcello Pagliero on Wikipedia »
Nicholas Phipps
Nicholas Phipps (June 23, 1913 London-April 11, 1980 London) was a British actor and screenwriter.
He began his acting career in the 1930s and appeared in numerous films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. In addition to acting, Phipps also wrote screenplays for films such as "Scrooge" and "Life at the Top". He was known for his versatility and played a variety of roles throughout his career, including comedic and dramatic roles. Phipps was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s. He passed away in London in 1980 at the age of 66.
Read more about Nicholas Phipps on Wikipedia »
Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock (August 13, 1899 Leytonstone-April 29, 1980 Bel-Air) a.k.a. Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, Hitch, The Master of Suspense, Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, Mr. Alfred Hitchcock, Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE or A. Hitchcock was a British film director, actor, film producer, screenwriter, television director, television producer, film art director, film editor and writer. His child is called Pat Hitchcock.
Hitchcock is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. He began his career in the film industry as a title card designer for silent films in the early 1920s, before transitioning to directing. He gained widespread recognition for his work in the thriller and suspense genres, with classics such as Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window, and Vertigo.
Throughout his career, Hitchcock became known for his distinctive directorial style, featuring carefully crafted suspense sequences, dark humor, and a knack for creating unforgettable imagery. He was also known for his tendency to make cameo appearances in his films.
Hitchcock received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including five nominations for Best Director at the Academy Awards. In 1980, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. After his death, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival.
Today, Hitchcock's films continue to be celebrated for their innovative storytelling, technical expertise, and enduring impact on the art of cinema.
Read more about Alfred Hitchcock on Wikipedia »
Simon Lack
Simon Lack (December 19, 1913 Cleland-August 8, 1980 London) also known as Alex MacAlpine or Alexander MacAlpine was a British actor.
He was born in Cleland, Lanarkshire, Scotland and began his career on stage before transitioning to film and television. Lack appeared in more than 50 films and TV shows throughout his career, including notable roles in "The Great Escape" (1963), "The Pink Panther" (1963), and "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). His distinctive deep voice and imposing stature made him particularly well-suited to playing authoritative figures such as military officers and government officials. He also played recurring roles in several popular TV series such as "The Avengers" and "The Saint". Lack passed away at the age of 66 in London.
Read more about Simon Lack on Wikipedia »
Hector Ross
Hector Ross (February 11, 1914 Tain-November 26, 1980 London) was a British actor. He had one child, Sue Sylvaine.
Hector Ross began his acting career in the late 1930s, appearing on the stage in productions like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Merchant of Venice". In 1942, he made his film debut in "The Dark Tower". Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he appeared in numerous British films, including "The Sea Shall Not Have Them" and "The Cruel Sea", often playing military or authority figures.
In addition to his film work, Ross also appeared on television in popular series of the time, such as "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "The Avengers". He was also a regular on the radio program "The Archers" from 1951 to 1956.
Despite his success, Ross never achieved widespread international fame, remaining primarily a British character actor until his death in 1980 at the age of 66.
Read more about Hector Ross on Wikipedia »
Guy Bellis
Guy Bellis (October 24, 1886 Liverpool-October 30, 1980 Los Angeles) otherwise known as William Messenger Bellis was a British actor.
He began his career on the stage in England, but eventually made his way to Hollywood where he appeared in over 200 films. Bellis was known for his deep voice and his ability to play tough, no-nonsense characters. He often played law enforcement or military figures, but could also play comedic roles. Some of his notable film credits include "The Virginian" (1929), "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), and "The Ten Commandments" (1956). Bellis also had a successful career in television, appearing in shows such as "Gunsmoke" and "The Beverly Hillbillies". Bellis passed away in 1980 at the age of 94.
Read more about Guy Bellis on Wikipedia »
Gordon Hammersley
Gordon Hammersley was a British actor.
Born on November 15, 1926, in London, England, Gordon Hammersley was a prolific stage and television actor. He first made a name for himself in the 1950s and 1960s in London's West End theatre scene, appearing in a number of plays including "The Anniversary" and "The Long and the Short and the Tall".
Hammersley was also a familiar face on British television, appearing in popular shows such as "The Avengers" and "Doctor Who". He was known for his versatility as an actor, and played a wide range of characters over the course of his career, from villains to comedic sidekicks.
In addition to his acting work, Hammersley was also a talented musician and singer, and often incorporated music into his performances. He passed away on December 23, 2011, at the age of 85, but his legacy lives on through his memorable contributions to British theatre and television.
Read more about Gordon Hammersley on Wikipedia »
John Barrie
John Barrie (May 6, 1917 New Brighton-March 24, 1980 York) was a British actor.
He appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, including the 1959 film "The Mouse That Roared" and the popular television series "Z Cars" in the 1960s. Barrie was also a prolific stage actor, performing in productions of plays by Shakespeare and other notable playwrights. In addition to his acting work, Barrie was also an accomplished writer and director, and he served as the artistic director for the Theatre Royal in York during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was married to actress Margaretta Scott from 1961 until his death in 1980.
Read more about John Barrie on Wikipedia »
Norman Shelley
Norman Shelley (February 16, 1903 Chelsea-August 22, 1980 London) was a British actor and voice actor. He had one child, Anthony Shelley.
Norman Shelley was best known for his roles on BBC Radio, where he became one of the leading radio actors of his time. He is particularly remembered for his portrayal of John Galsworthy's literary character, Soames Forsyte, in the popular radio adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. Shelley's voice was also featured in several popular radio plays, including The Navy Lark and Paul Temple. Additionally, he had a successful career as a stage actor, appearing in numerous productions in London's West End. Later in life, Shelley became a lecturer on Shakespeare, and he continued working in radio, appearing on several programs until his death in 1980.
Read more about Norman Shelley on Wikipedia »