British actors died in 1981
Here are 17 famous actors from United Kingdom died in 1981:
Roger Tonge
Roger Tonge (January 30, 1946 Birmingham-February 26, 1981 London) was a British actor.
He is best known for his leading role as farmer's son, Peter Sinclair, in the popular television drama series "The Flockton Flyer". Tonge began his acting career in the 1960s and featured in various TV series and films such as "The Wednesday Play" and "Virgin Witch". He was also a skilled stage performer, portraying the character of Algernon Moncrieff in a 1977 production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest". Tragically, Tonge passed away at the young age of 35 due to an overdose of barbiturates.
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Gerald Cross
Gerald Cross (February 20, 1912 England-February 26, 1981 Camden Town) also known as Thomas Gerald Cross was a British actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s and went on to appear in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout his career. Some of his notable film roles include "Went the Day Well?" (1942), "The Seventh Veil" (1945), and "The Red Beret" (1953). Cross also appeared in several popular TV shows such as "The Avengers" and "Z-Cars" during the 1960s and 70s. In addition to his acting career, Cross was known for his work as a writer and director in the theatre. He was a founding member of the Actors' Equity Association and served as its president from 1967 to 1972. Cross passed away in 1981 at the age of 69.
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Blake Butler
Blake Butler (October 22, 1924 Barrow-in-Furness-April 15, 1981 Bromley) was a British actor.
Butler began his acting career at the age of 16, when he joined the Old Vic Theatre in London. He later went on to perform in several stage productions, including "Hamlet" and "Macbeth." In the 1950s, he transitioned to television and film, appearing in various series and movies such as "The Saint," "Doctor Who," and "The Vampire Lovers."
One of Butler's most notable roles was in the popular British drama series, "The Avengers," where he played the character of Dr. Armstrong in several episodes. He also appeared in the iconic film "The Dirty Dozen" (1967), alongside Hollywood legends such as Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson.
Butler was known for his versatile acting skills and ability to portray a wide range of characters. He was highly respected in the entertainment industry and is remembered as one of the greatest British actors of his time.
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Arthur Lovegrove
Arthur Lovegrove (July 15, 1913 Fulham-November 7, 1981 Surrey) a.k.a. Arthur William Lovegrove was a British actor, screenwriter and playwright.
He started his acting career on stage and appeared in various productions in London's West End. Lovegrove later transitioned to film and television, appearing in several popular British films such as "The Blue Lamp" and "The Lavender Hill Mob." In addition to acting, Lovegrove wrote several screenplays and plays that were produced both in London and on Broadway. He was also an accomplished radio personality, having worked for the BBC as a radio actor and presenter. Lovegrove passed away in 1981 at the age of 68.
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Alvar Lidell
Alvar Lidell (September 11, 1908 Wimbledon Park-January 7, 1981 Northwood, London) also known as Alvar Liddell or Tord Alvar Quan Lidell was a British journalist and actor.
Lidell is best known for his work as a newsreader for the BBC during World War II, where he became one of the most trusted voices of the time. He began his journalistic career in the early 1930s, working as a reporter for the Daily Mail before joining the BBC in 1936 as an announcer. During the war, he rose to prominence as the main newsreader for the BBC Home Service, reading news of the war to the British public during the darkest days of the conflict.
After the war, Lidell continued to work for the BBC, presenting news and current affairs programs on both radio and television. He was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films such as The Cruel Sea (1953) and Rob Roy (1953), as well as on the stage in productions of Hamlet and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Lidell was awarded the OBE in 1960 for his services to broadcasting, and he remained a popular figure in the industry until his death in 1981.
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Bernard Lee
Bernard Lee (January 10, 1908 Brentford-January 16, 1981 Royal Free Hospital) a.k.a. John Bernard Lee was a British actor and soldier. He had one child, Ann Lee.
Lee started his acting career in the 1930s, performing in various stage productions. He made his film debut in "The Next of Kin" in 1942 and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. One of his most notable roles was that of M in the first 11 James Bond films. Lee served in World War II, earning the rank of Captain in the Royal Army Service Corps. He was also a member of the British Army's No. 4 Commando during the war. Lee passed away in 1981 at the age of 73 due to cancer.
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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.
Garry Marsh began his career as a stage actor, appearing in numerous productions in London's West End. He made his screen debut in the silent film "Squibs" in 1921 and went on to have a successful career in both British and Hollywood films. Marsh was known for his versatile acting ability, playing both comedic and dramatic roles with ease. He appeared in over 80 films throughout his career, including "The Trials of Oscar Wilde" (1960), "The Great Escape" (1963) and "Doctor Zhivago" (1965). In addition to his acting work, Marsh was also an accomplished writer, penning several plays and a book on the film industry. He was awarded the OBE in 1970 for his contributions to British theatre and film.
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Alec Waugh
Alec Waugh (July 8, 1898 London-September 3, 1981) a.k.a. Alexander Raban Waugh or A. Waugh was a British writer and actor.
He was the elder brother of the more famous novelist Evelyn Waugh. Alec served in World War I and then studied at the Heidelberg University. After completing his studies, he worked in various fields such as journalism, acting and writing. Alec wrote many successful novels including "Island in the Sun", "The Mule on the Minaret", and "The Sugar Pavilion". His works were widely read and appreciated for their vivid descriptions of life in the British colonies. Moreover, Alec was also an accomplished actor who starred in several films and plays during his career. He was a man of diverse talents who captivated his readers and audiences with his wit, charm and creativity.
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Eric Rogers
Eric Rogers (September 25, 1921 Halifax-April 8, 1981 Chalfont St Peter) also known as Eric Gaukroger, Eric Rodgers or Eric Gauk-Roger was a British film score composer, composer, actor, conductor and music arranger.
He composed music for over 150 films and is best known for his work on the "Carry On" series of movies. Rogers began his career as a musician in the BBC Dance Orchestra and went on to become a prolific film composer, working on popular films such as "The Italian Job" and "A Shot in the Dark". In addition to his film work, Rogers also composed for television and theatre productions. He was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Best Film Song or Theme for his work on the 1963 film "The Mouse on the Moon". Aside from his work as a composer, Rogers also appeared as an actor in several films and TV shows.
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Richard Goolden
Richard Goolden (February 23, 1895 London-June 18, 1981 London) also known as Richard Percy Herbert Goolden was a British actor.
He began his career in the early 1920s, appearing in a variety of stage productions, including Shakespearean plays. In the 1930s, he transitioned to film and appeared in several British and Hollywood productions. Some of his notable film credits include "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940), "The Magic Box" (1951), and "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956).
Goolden was also a familiar face on British television, appearing in popular series such as "Doctor Who," "Z-Cars," and "The Saint." In addition to acting, Goolden was an accomplished author and poet, publishing several books over the course of his career.
Despite his success, Goolden was known for his humility and kindness, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues in the entertainment industry. He continued to work in film, television, and theatre until his death in 1981 at the age of 86.
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Ernest Hare
Ernest Hare (December 5, 1900 Highgate-November 27, 1981 London) otherwise known as Ernest Dudley Hare was a British actor.
He was born in Highgate, London, and originally pursued a career as a singer before transitioning into acting. Hare appeared in a number of films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including notable roles in "The Next of Kin" (1942) and "The Red Shoes" (1948). He also made appearances on television, including guest roles on the popular series "Doctor Who" and "The Avengers". Hare continued to work in the entertainment industry throughout his life, and even made a brief cameo in the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice" (1967).
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George Moon
George Moon (March 19, 1909 London-December 17, 1981 London) was a British actor. He had one child, Georgina Moon.
Moon began his career in stage productions including Shakespearean plays before transitioning to film and television work. He appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, often playing supporting roles in movies such as "Oliver Twist" (1948), "The Lavender Hill Mob" (1951), and "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957). On television, he appeared in popular shows like "The Saint" and "The Avengers." Moon was also known for his work as a voice actor, lending his voice to several animated films including Disney's "101 Dalmatians" (1961) where he played the character of Jasper.
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John Ruddock
John Ruddock (May 20, 1897 Lima-November 27, 1981 Guildford) otherwise known as John Reynolds Ruddock was a British actor.
Ruddock made his stage debut in 1921 and appeared in various plays throughout his career. He also acted in several films, including "The Dam Busters" and "The Mummy". In addition to his acting career, Ruddock was also an accomplished author, publishing several books including "7 Days to Live" and "The Summer Expedition". He was married to actress Renee Gadd and they had two children together. Ruddock was known for his distinctive voice and often played authority figures in his roles. He remained active in the industry until his death in 1981 at the age of 84.
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Eddie Byrne
Eddie Byrne (January 31, 1911 Birmingham-August 21, 1981 Dublin) was a British actor. He had one child, Catherine Byrne.
Byrne was known for his roles in both film and television. He appeared in numerous British films, including "The Blue Lamp," "Moby Dick," and "The Hill." He also had roles in the popular television shows "The Avengers" and "Dixon of Dock Green." In addition to his acting career, Byrne was also a writer and director, and he even wrote several screenplays. Prior to his acting career, Byrne worked as a journalist and radio announcer. He passed away in Dublin in 1981 at the age of 70.
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Dennis Burgess
Dennis Burgess was a British actor.
He was born on October 3, 1945 in Yorkshire, England. Burgess had an impressive acting career in both film and television. He appeared in popular TV shows such as "Doctor Who", "EastEnders", and "The Bill". Additionally, he had small roles in movies like "Batman Begins" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". Dennis Burgess was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to bring depth to any character he played. Sadly, he passed away on August 15, 2018 at the age of 72 in England.
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Alf Goddard
Alf Goddard (November 28, 1897 London-February 25, 1981 Middlesex) also known as Alfred Goddard or Frank Henry Goddard was a British actor, dancer, athlete, stunt performer and professional boxer.
He began his career in the entertainment industry as a dancer, and later transitioned into acting. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout his career, including "The Battle of the River Plate" (1956) and "The Avengers" (1961).
In addition to his career in entertainment, Goddard was also an accomplished athlete and professional boxer, winning numerous championships in his youth. He later became a stunt performer, specializing in fight scenes and horseback riding.
Despite his success in many fields, Goddard faced racial discrimination throughout his life, particularly due to his Jamaican heritage. Nevertheless, he persevered and continued to excel in his varied career pursuits, making him an inspiration to many.
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Eric Woodburn
Eric Woodburn (March 9, 1894 Glasgow-November 27, 1981 London) was a British actor.
He appeared in over 50 films in a career that spanned four decades, from the 1920s to the 1950s. Woodburn was known for his character roles and his ability to play a wide range of characters. He was particularly well-regarded for his work in the horror genre, appearing in several classic horror films during the 1930s, including "The Devil's Messenger" (1934) and "The Ghoul" (1933).
In addition to his film work, Woodburn also had a successful stage career, appearing in a number of productions in London's West End theater district. He was also a prolific radio actor, appearing in dozens of radio plays and dramas throughout his career.
Despite his success as an actor, Woodburn was known for living a relatively quiet and private life. He never married or had children, and little is known about his personal life. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 87 in London, where he had lived for many years.
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