- Michael Williams (actor)
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For other people named Michael Williams, see Michael Williams (disambiguation).
Michael Williams Born Michael Leonard Williams
9 July 1935
Bradford, EnglandDied 11 January 2001 (aged 65)
Hampstead, London, EnglandOccupation Actor Years active 1961–1999 Spouse Dame Judi Dench (m. 1971–2001) Children Finty Williams Michael Leonard Williams (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was an English actor who played both classical and comedic roles, and was the husband of Dame Judi Dench.
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Early life and career
Born in Liverpool, he attended St. Edward's College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre.
His first film appearance was in 1962, and he subsequently appeared frequently on television (notably in Elizabeth R), and in British films such as Educating Rita (1983) and (along with Dench) Henry V (1989). In the latter, in perhaps an irresistible casting decision, he played his namesake, the Shakespearean character named Michael Williams. In 1967, he played in Peter Whitehead's documentary Benefit of the Doubt on Peter Brook's anti-Vietnam play "US", along with Peter Brook and The Royal Shakespeare Company.
His many radio roles included crime reporter George Cragge in In the Red and its sequels, and Dr Watson in the BBC's complete run of Sherlock Holmes adaptations.
Williams provided voices for the Woodland Animations BBC Television series Charlie Chalk, created by Ivor Wood.
Private life
He married Judi Dench in 1971, the same season that they co-starred in John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter, Tara Cressida Williams (b. 24 September 1972), known as "Finty Williams", who is also an actress. Williams chaired the British Catholic Stage Guild for a number of years before he was incapacitated by illness. Finty has a son, Sam.
Although Williams was a devout Catholic[1][2] and Dench is a Quaker, theirs was one of the most successful showbiz marriages, and they worked together on several series of the situation comedy, A Fine Romance, from 1981 onwards. He was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.[1]
Williams served as an enthusiastic supporter of the project to build the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia in the USA. A plaque commemorating Williams' contributions hangs in the completed playhouse.
Shortly before his death from lung cancer at the age of 65, Williams was appointed a Knight of St Gregory (KSG) by Pope John Paul II for his contribution to Catholic life in Britain.[3]
Selected television roles
Year Title Role 1962 Z-Cars Norbert Nuttall (1 episode) 1971 Elizabeth R François, Duke of Anjou and Alençon 1975 The Hanged Man Alan Crowe (8 episodes) 1981–84 A Fine Romance Mike Selway 1988 Double First Norman 'N.V.' Standish 1993–94 Conjugal Rites Barry Masefield 1997 A Dance to the Music of Time Ted Jeavons (2 episodes) 1999 The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Father Daley 1999 Kavanagh QC DCI Knowland (1 episode) Selected film roles
Year Title Role 1968 Tell Me Lies Guest 1972 Eagle in a Cage Barry O'Meara 1974 Dead Cert Sandy Mason 1983 Enigma Hirsch, Limmer's Assistant 1983 Educating Rita Brian 1988 Angel Voices Tommy 1989 Henry V Williams 1999 Tea with Mussolini British Consul Stage appearances
Principal stage appearances; mostly with the Royal Shakespeare Company:[4]
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (1963)
- The Beggar's Opera (1963)
- The Representative (1963)
- King Lear (1964)
- The Comedy of Errors (1964)
- Marat/Sade (1964)
- The Jew of Malta (1964)
- Don't Make Me Laugh (1965)
- Timon of Athens (1965)
- Hamlet (1965)
- Tango (1966)
- The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
- As You Like It (1967)
- Troilus and Cressida (1968)
- London Assurance (1970)
- The Merchant of Venice (1971)
- The Duchess of Malfi (1971)
- Henry V (1971)
- Toad of Toad Hall (1972)
- Content to Whisper (1973)
- Jingo (1975)
- Too True to Be Good (1975)
- The Comedy of Errors (1976)
- The Winter's Tale (1976)
- Schweik in the Second World War (1977)
- The Montrous Regiment (1978)
- A Village Wooing (1981)
- Quartermaine's Terms (1982)
- Pack Lies (1983/4)
- Two into One (1984)
- Mr and Mrs Nobody (1986/7)
- Out of Order (1990)
- The Tempest (1995)
- The Round Dozen (1996)
- Brief Lives (1997/8)
- The Forest (1999)
Also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Theatre-Go-Round Festival, Round House Theatre, London, 1970.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Michael Williams: End of the fine romance". BBC. 2001-01-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/459290.stm. Retrieved 2010-09-13. "A devout Catholic, Michael Williams was a former President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild."
- ^ "Actor Michael Williams dies". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14674/Actor-Michael-Williams-dies.html. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ Williams awarded Papal knighthood - website The independent
- ^ Stage career - The Stage
- ^ Film References
External links
Categories:- 1935 births
- 2001 deaths
- English film actors
- English radio actors
- English stage actors
- English television actors
- English Roman Catholics
- Royal Shakespeare Company members
- Deaths from lung cancer
- Cancer deaths in England
- Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
- Actors from Liverpool
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