Michael Williams (actor)
| Michael Williams KSG | |
|---|---|
| Born |
9 July 1935 Liverpool, England |
| Died |
11 January 2001 (aged 65) Hampstead, London, England |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1961–1999 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Finty Williams |
Michael Leonard Williams, KSG (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was an English actor who played both classical and comedy roles. Until his death, he was the husband of actress Dame Judi Dench.
Early life and career
Born in Liverpool, Lancashire,[1] 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 appeared in Benefit of the Doubt, Peter Whitehead's documentary on Peter Brook's anti-Vietnam War play US", along with 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.
Personal life
He married Judi Dench on 5 February 1971, in the same year that they co-starred in a stage production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter, Tara Cressida Williams (b. 1972), known as Finty Williams, who is also an actress. Finty has one offspring, son Sam Williams (b. 6 June 1997).[2]
Williams chaired the British Catholic Stage Guild for a number of years before he was incapacitated by illness.
He was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.[3]
Williams served as an enthusiastic supporter of the project to build the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, 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. The honour was officially bestowed upon him at home on 10 January 2001. He died the next day.[4]
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) |
| 1980 | Love in a Cold Climate | Davey Warbeck (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 radio roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The War Between Men and Women | reader |
| 1989–98 | Sherlock Holmes | Dr. Watson |
| 1995–96 | Change at Oglethorpe | Rocket |
| 1995–99 | The George Cragge series | George Cragge |
| 1997 | Mansfield Park | Sir Thomas Bertram |
| 1998–99 | Old Dog and Partridge | Jack |
| 1999–2000 | Bristow | Bristow |
Selected film roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Marat/Sade | Herald |
| 1968 | Tell Me Lies | Guest |
| 1972 | Eagle in a Cage | Barry O'Meara |
| 1974 | Dead Cert | Sandy Mason |
| 1982 | 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:[5]
- 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 of 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.[6]
References
- ↑ Prior to 1 April 1974, Liverpool was in Lancashire; Merseyside did yet not exist
- ↑ My grandson was a big surprise – The Daily Telegraph
- ↑ "Michael Williams: End of the fine romance". BBC. 2001-01-16. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
A devout Catholic, Michael Williams was a former President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.
- ↑ Williams awarded Papal knighthood – The Independent]
- ↑ Stage career - The Stage
- ↑ Film References
External links
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