Here are 7 famous actors from England died in 1996:
Michael Bentine (January 26, 1922 Watford-November 26, 1996 London) otherwise known as Michael James Bentin was an English presenter, comedian, actor and screenwriter.
He is best known for co-founding and appearing in the surreal comedy group "The Goons" alongside Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. Bentine also had his own television series, "It's a Square World," which utilized sketches, animation, and puppetry. He was also a writer and presenter for the documentary series "Michael Bentine's Potty Time," which explored the history of inventions and everyday objects. In addition to his comedic work, Bentine was a seasoned pilot and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Bentine was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1995 for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
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Jon Pertwee (July 7, 1919 Chelsea-May 20, 1996 Sherman) a.k.a. John Devon Roland Pertwee, Jon Pertwer, The Tall Light Bulb, John Pertwee, John Devon Roland de Perthuis de Laillevault, John Devon Roland "Jon" Pertwee, John Devon Roland, Jon or Pertwee was an English actor and voice actor. He had two children, Sean Pertwee and Dariel Pertwee.
Pertwee began his career in entertainment as a comedian during World War II, performing for British troops. He later transitioned to acting, appearing on stage and in several British films and television shows. However, he is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the third incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction series Doctor Who from 1970-1974.
After leaving Doctor Who, Pertwee continued to act in various film, television, and theater productions, and also became a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated series and commercials. He was known for his distinctive deep voice, which was often imitated by comedians and voice actors alike.
Pertwee was also an accomplished sailor and wrote several books about his love of the sea. He was awarded the title of Commodore of the Royal Naval Sailing Association in recognition of his contributions to the sport.
Pertwee passed away in 1996 at the age of 76 from a heart attack while attending a convention for Doctor Who fans in Connecticut, USA. His legacy lives on through his iconic portrayal of the Doctor and his contributions to the entertainment industry as a whole.
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John Abbott (June 5, 1905 London-May 24, 1996 Los Angeles) otherwise known as John Kefford or John Albert Chamberlain Kefford was an English actor.
He made his film debut in 1932, and quickly gained popularity as a character actor due to his rugged looks and distinctive voice. Abbott appeared in over 150 film and television productions throughout his career, including classic films such as "Mrs. Miniver" (1942) and "The Jungle Book" (1967). He was also known for his work in the horror genre, and appeared in several films for Universal Studios, including "The Invisible Man" (1933) and "Isle of the Dead" (1945). In addition to his film work, Abbott also had a successful stage career, appearing in numerous productions both in his native England and in the United States.
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Mark Frankel (June 13, 1962 Surrey-September 24, 1996 Chiswick) also known as Mark D.Frankel was an English actor. His children are called Fabien Frankel and Max Frankel.
Mark Frankel rose to fame in the late 80s with his role in the British TV show "Nightingales". He went on to appear in numerous TV shows and movies, including "Leon the Pig Farmer", "The Trials of Oz", and "Solitaire for 2". Frankel also had a brief stint on American television, starring in the short-lived series "Kindred: The Embraced". In addition to his acting career, Frankel was known for his philanthropic work, including supporting children with cancer and AIDS. Tragically, he died in a road accident in 1996 at the age of 34.
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Preston Lockwood (October 30, 1912 West Ham-April 24, 1996 Middlesex) otherwise known as Reginald H. Lockwood or Reginald Herbert Lockwood was an English actor.
He began his acting career as a stage performer in various productions in the West End of London. In the 1940s, he made his film debut in "The Next of Kin" (1942) and went on to appear in over 60 films throughout his career. Lockwood was often cast in supporting roles, particularly in British films of the 1950s and 1960s. Some of his notable film appearances include "The Lavender Hill Mob" (1951), "The Day the Earth Caught Fire" (1961) and "The Damned" (1963).
In addition to his film work, Lockwood also had an extensive television career, with appearances in popular shows such as "Doctor Who", "The Avengers" and "Z Cars". He also provided the voice of Dr. Matthew Roney in the BBC radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds".
Outside of acting, Lockwood was interested in genealogy and wrote several books on the subject, including "The Lockwoods of America" (1970) and "The Lockwood Family in America" (1984). He was also a member of The Society of Genealogists and served as its president from 1986 to 1988. Lockwood passed away in 1996 at the age of 83.
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Percy Edwards (June 1, 1908 Ipswich-June 7, 1996 Hintlesham) also known as Percy Edwards MBE was an English ornithologist, entertainer and actor.
He was most famous for his work as a bird impersonator, providing animal noises for hundreds of films, radio and television shows. Edwards' natural talent for imitating bird calls first earned him national recognition through BBC radio shows like "Nature Parliament" and "In Your Garden". He was even enlisted by the UK government during WWII to mimic birds as a form of military deception.
Despite his success as a naturalist, Edwards also had a notable acting career. He often played bit parts in films like "The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery" and "The Plank". He also made appearances on TV shows like "Doctor Who" and "The Avengers".
In 1985, Edwards was awarded the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services to ornithology and entertainment. He passed away in 1996 at the age of 88.
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Christopher Casson (March 20, 1912 Manchester-July 9, 1996 Dublin) also known as Casson, Christopher was an English actor, singer and harpist. He had one child, Glynis Casson.
Born in Manchester, England in 1912, Christopher Casson began his career as an actor and singer in the 1930s. He later added the harp to his repertoire, becoming a celebrated harpist as well.
Casson appeared in numerous stage productions, including the original West End production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" in 1951, as well as in several films and television shows. He also had a successful career as a voiceover artist on radio and television, lending his voice to narrate documentaries and commercials.
In addition to his entertainment career, Casson was an active member of the British Army during World War II. He later settled in Ireland with his wife, where he continued to perform and record music until his death in 1996. Casson had one child, Glynis Casson, who followed in her father's footsteps as an actress.
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