Born: September 23, 1930 – Died: May 7, 1987
Colin Blakely, a distinguished character actor, was born in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He initially worked in his father's sporting goods firm in Belfast before discovering his passion for acting. This transition from business to the arts marked the beginning of a remarkable career in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Blakely's acting journey began somewhat serendipitously. He joined an amateur dramatic and operatic society to get closer to a girl he liked, but instead fell in love with acting. He showcased his talent in productions like 'Annie Get Your Gun' and 'Oklahoma'. In 1959, he moved to London, where he quickly established himself as a versatile character actor, transitioning seamlessly from theatre to film.
His first professional role was in the chorus of an amateur dramatic society, but it was his portrayal of Matthew in 'A Man for All Seasons' (1966) that marked his first major success. This role demonstrated his powerful presence and versatility, leading to more significant opportunities. Blakely's performance as Dr. Watson in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) further cemented his status as a notable actor.
Apart from his acting career, Blakely was married to Margaret Whiting from June 1961 until his death in 1987, and they had three children. His personal life was marked by his love for sports, as he played rugby and football for Northern Ireland.
Colin Blakely's impact on Hollywood is highlighted by his ability to bring depth and authenticity to his roles, making him a respected figure in the industry. His transition from stage to screen and his versatility in both mediums mark him as an iconic figure in the world of acting.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1985–1987 | Theatre Night (TV Series) | McCann | Captain Adolf |
| 1986 | Paradise Postponed (TV Mini Series) | Dr. Salter |
| 1986 | Screenplay (TV Series) | George Beesley |
| 1985 | Operation Julie (TV Movie) | Det. Insp. Dick Lee |
| 1985 | Summer Season (TV Series) | Ben |
| 1985 | The Beiderbecke Affair (TV Mini Series) | Chief Supt. Forrest |
| 1984 | Jackanory Playhouse (TV Series) | King Gregory |
| 1984 | The New Statesman (TV Series) | George Vance |
| 1984 | Home Video (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1984 | Nobody's Property (TV Movie) | Michael |
| 1984 | All the World's a Stage (TV Mini Series) | Extracts from The Master Builder |
| 1984 | The World of Don Camillo | Peppone |
| 1983 | Legend of the Champions (TV Movie) | The Interrogator |
| 1983 | Red Monarch (TV Movie) | Stalin |
| 1981–1983 | Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series) | Colin Mearns | Dr. David Rankin |
| 1983 | King Lear (TV Movie) | Kent |
| 1983 | Landscape (TV Movie) | Duff |
| 1982 | Trail of the Pink Panther | Section Director Alec Drummond (uncredited) |
| 1982 | Evil Under the Sun | Sir Horace Blatt |
| 1981 | Nailed (TV Movie) | Elder Protestant |
| 1972–1981 | Play for Today (TV Series) | Northey | Eddie Ritchie | Robinson Crusoe |
| 1981 | Antony & Cleopatra (TV Movie) | Antony |
| 1981 | Loophole | Gardner |
| 1980 | The Dogs of War | North |
| 1980 | Little Lord Fauntleroy (TV Movie) | Hobbs |
| 1980 | Vikings! (TV Series) | (voice) |
| 1980 | The Day Christ Died (TV Movie) | Caiaphas |
| 1980 | Nijinsky | Vassili |
| 1980 | Donkeys' Years (TV Movie) | Christopher Headingley |
| 1979 | Meetings with Remarkable Men | Tamil (as Colin Blakeley) |
| 1978 | The Big Sleep | Harry Jones |
| 1977 | Equus | Frank Strang |
| 1976 | The Pink Panther Strikes Again | Drummond |
| 1976 | Arena (TV Series) | Frank Strang |
| 1976 | It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet | Siegfried Farnon |
| 1968–1975 | BBC Play of the Month (TV Series) | Roberts | John de Stogumber |
| 1975 | The Hanged Man (TV Mini Series) | Lewis Burnett |
| 1975 | Love Among the Ruins (TV Movie) | J.F. Devine |
| 1975 | Churchill's People (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1975 | Galileo | Priuli |
| 1974 | *Murder on the Orient Express* | Hardman |
| 1973 | Full House (TV Series) | Merik in On the High Road |
| 1973 | The National Health | Edward Loach |
| 1968–1972 | Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) | Rick Taylor | Morgan | Sgt. Taylor, C.I.D. |
| 1960–1972 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Keyser | AS. Walter Edge | Pat Greevey ... |
| 1972 | Stage 2 (TV Series) | Peer Gynt |
| 1972 | Young Winston | Butcher |
| 1972 | Something to Hide | Blagdon |
| 1972 | The Man Outside (TV Series) | Flannery |
| 1972 | The Challengers (TV Series) | Sam Brodie |
| 1971 | Aquarius (TV Series) | Deeley - Old Times |
| 1970 | *The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes* | Dr. Watson |
| 1969 | Alfred the Great | Asher |
| 1969 | The Way We Live Now (TV Series) | Augustus Melmotte |
| 1969 | The Wednesday Play (TV Series) | Jesus |
| 1969 | ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV Series) | Grieg |
| 1968 | Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher | Solomon Philbrick |
| 1968 | Detective (TV Series) | Jasper Shrig |
| 1968 | The Champions (TV Series) | Interrogator |
| 1968 | The Vengeance of She | George |
| 1968 | Charlie Bubbles | Smokey Pickles |
| 1967–1968 | Man in a Suitcase (TV Series) | Father Loyola | John |
| 1967 | The Avengers (TV Series) | Mickle |
| 1967 | The Day the Fish Came Out | The Pilot |
| 1967 | Half Hour Story (TV Series) | The man |
| 1967 | Seven Deadly Virtues (TV Series) | Tom Mather |
| 1967 | Mogul (TV Series) | Commander Cardino |
| 1966 | The Spy with a Cold Nose | Russian Prime Minister |
| 1966 | A Man for All Seasons | Matthew |
| 1966 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | 1st Gatekeeper |
| 1965–1966 | Theatre 625 (TV Series) | Harry | George Bowling |
| 1965 | The Legend of Young Dick Turpin | 1st Gatekeeper |
| 1964 | Redcap (TV Series) | Private Hugh Scanlon |
| 1964 | The Counterfeit Constable | L'aveugle |
| 1964 | Never Put It in Writing | Oscar |
| 1964 | The Long Ships | Rhykka |
| 1963 | Underworld Informers | Charlie Ruskin |
| 1963 | Suspense (TV Series) | Molloy, the caretaker |
| 1963 | This Sporting Life | Maurice Braithwaite |
| 1963 | The Plane Makers (TV Series) | Jack Clement |
| 1962 | ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Silver |
| 1962 | Drama 61-67 (TV Series) | Pat Sullivan |
| 1962 | The Password Is Courage | 1st German Goon |
| 1962 | BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) | Nick Toberson |
| 1961 | The Hellions | Matthew Billings |
| 1961 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | Jack Clitheroe |
| 1960 | The Soldier and the Woman (TV Movie) | Simon |
| 1960 | A Moon for the Misbegotten (TV Movie) | Phil Hogan |
| 1960 | Saturday Night and Sunday Morning | Loudmouth (as Colin Blakeley) |
| 1960 | On Trial (TV Series) | John Dempsey |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
