Patrick Newell

Patrick David Newell (born Hadleigh, Suffolk, March 27 1932 - July 22 1988) was a British actor known for his large size. It is reputed he gained weight as a deliberate attempt to boost his career, marking him out for some niche roles. It has been written that his entry in "Who's Who On Television" in the late 1970s, Newell described himself as "Actor with a weight problem--the more he diets, the less work he seems to get."

His most notable role was as "Mother," the spymaster in "The Avengers". He had previously appeared in two earlier "Avengers" episodes: "The Town of No Return" (Diana Rigg's debut) and "Something Nasty in the Nursery" as a Government official (sometimes suggested as an earlier incarnation of Mother).

Other cult television appearances included roles in "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)", the "Doctor Who" story "The Android Invasion", "The Young Ones " and "Kinvig". He also turned up as a Playboy Bunny in one of the Benny Hill comedy specials. Film appearances include the Gluttony segment of "The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins".

Later in life, Newell succeeded in losing a substantial amount of weight, but this did not prevent his early death from a heart attack. He was married with two children.

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