Advanced search

Margaret John was born on 14 December 1926 in Swansea, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for Run Fatboy Run (2007), Game of Thrones (2011) and High Hopes (2002). She was married to Ben Thomas. She died on 2 February 2011 in Swansea, Wales, UK.

Peter Penry-Jones was born in 1938 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), Poirot (1989) and Colditz (1972). He was married to Angela Thorne. He died on 11 March 2009 in Anglesey, Wales, UK.

Richard Lyon was born on 8 October 1934 in London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Great Lover (1949), Anna and the King of Siam (1946) and The Tender Years (1948). He was married to Angela Ferguson. He died on 16 October 2013 in Dafen, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK.

Meg Wynn Owen was born on 8 November 1939 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Gosford Park (2001), The Duellists (1977) and Pride & Prejudice (2005). She was married to William Wright. She died on 16 July 2022 in Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Niall MacGinnis is not as well known outside of Europe, but he was a wonderful character actor whose variety of roles matched his great gift for characterization and the look beyond just makeup that he projected. He was educated at Stonyhurst College and Trinity College, Dublin. He obtained a basic medical education which qualified him as a house (resident) surgeon during World War II in the Royal Navy. But after the war he decided to pursue acting. He worked in stage repertoire and stock companies and moved on to do significant stage work at the Old Vic Theatre in London, where John Gielgud was director and Shakespeare has a particular focus. MacGinnis had the burly look of a farm hand with a large head and curly hair falling away from a progressively receding hairline. He could portray a broad enough accent - or little at all, as the case might be - which could entail any part of the British Isles.

He moved on to film work in 1935 when British sound cinema was hitting its stride. He met young but well experienced director Michael Powell, who was eager to sell his script for an intriguing film to be shot on the furthest island from the north coast of the UK, Foulda. Alexander Korda was impressed and optioned the production of this script for The Edge of the World (1937), and MacGinnis got the nod as the central protagonist, Andrew Gray. Soon after in 1938, MacGinnis worked with Old Vic mentor and director Gielgud for a role in an early TV production of the play "Spring Meeting" (1938). As the war years ensued and before his own service, MacGinnis did several war effort films, most notably asked by Powell to take the role of a German U-boat cook in 49th Parallel (1941). The film sported a great ensemble cast, including Leslie Howard and Raymond Massey, and was shot in Canada where the drama unfolded, but it lacked the drive to keep the story vital. MacGinnis shone as the good-natured peasant who loved food and had no use for Nazi strictures and warring on the world. Luckily for Powell, the movie with its flag waving spirit was a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

By the late 1940s, MacGinnis was donning historical garb for what would be some of his most familiar roles. Olivier remembered him and gave him small but standout roles in both his Henry V (1944) and Hamlet (1948). At about that time MacGinnis began associations with American film actors and production money coming over to Britain, the first being with Fredric March and his wife Florence Eldridge in Christopher Columbus (1949). He finally came to American shores with an appearance on Broadway in "Caesar and Cleopatra" in late 1951 through April of 1952. In 1952 back in England, he had a supporting role as the Herald in a screen version of the story of Thomas a' Becket titled Murder in the Cathedral (1951). Interestingly, he was also in the much better known and Hollywood-financed Becket (1964), as one of the four murderous barons. When MGM came back to England to follow up its previous visit and subsequent huge hit, Ivanhoe (1952), with Knights of the Round Table (1953), MacGinnis had a brief but again noticeable role as the Green Knight, bound by loss of combat to Robert Taylor as Ivanhoe. The next year brought one of his rare lead roles, an exemplary one in every measure. As Luther in Martin Luther (1953), MacGinnis joined a mostly British cast in a US/West German co-production and American director Irving Pichel with West German and historical scenery topped with a first rate script with American and German co-writers. It received two Oscar nominations.

Into the later 1950s, MacGinnis held to a steady diet of sturdy movie roles, usually supporting but always memorable because of his great acting skill. Historically, he went further back in time with several films of epic Ancient Greece, first as King Menelaus in Helen of Troy (1956), an American/Italian co-production with Robert Wise directing. That same year he stayed on the continent for another epic, this time Alexander the Great (1956) with American director Robert Rossen in an US/Spanish co-production that enlisted another first tier British cast, centered on box office idol Richard Burton, along with former co-star Freddy March. MacGinnis finally made it to Mount Olympus - that is, playing Zeus - in the rousing US/UK co-production of Jason and the Argonauts (1963), certainly best remembered for the stop motion animation magic of Ray Harryhausen.

Yet, MacGinnis' perhaps best remembered role - certainly to discriminating fans of horror/fantasy - was that of two-faced Dr. Julian Karswell, jocular magician - but deadly serious cult leader and demon conjurer (loosely based on the outrageous English social rebel and occultist Aleister Crowley). The film Curse of the Demon (1957) (the American cut was renamed "Curse of the Demon") was a stylishly atmospheric and convincingly spooky outing directed by Jacques Tourneur, the protégé of Hollywood veteran film producer Val Lewton, best known for Cat People (1942). Based on M.R. James' Edwardian ghost story, "Casting the Runes," the film is now considered a classic of the genre with MacGinnis, sporting a devilish goatee, having fun with his split personality but also effectively betraying his inward fear of the powers he has unleashed. He easily stole the show from co-star Dana Andrews, as the stubborn American psychologist almost done in by the demon he does not believe exists.

Through the 1960s and into the 1970s, MacGinnis kept to up a fairly steady stream of varied historical and contemporary movie roles, always noticeable, and in some of the high profile films of the period, including: Billy Budd (1962), The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965), and the Cinerama adventure Krakatoa: East of Java (1968). There were some TV spots as well to showcase his character-molding talents into the year of his passing to round out a body of over 75 screen appearances.

Comic eccentric and gifted raconteur Victor Spinetti was born in Wales on September 2, 1929, the son of Giuseppe Spinetti and Lily (Watson) Spinetti. Educated at Monmouth School, he was initially interested in a teaching degree but turned to acting instead and studied for the stage at the College of Music and Drama in the capital city of Cardiff.

A familiar stage presence in London's West End, his roles included "Expresso Bongo" with Paul Scofield and Leonard Bernstein's "Candide". He also spent six years with Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop. Becoming noticed in some of his more important theater pieces such as "The Hostage," "Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be," "Henry IV, Parts I & II" and "Every Man in His Humour," Victor's triumphant West End performance in the musical "Oh! What a Lovely War" led to the Broadway stage and both "supporting actor" Tony and Theatre World awards.

In the late 1960s, Victor co-starred in "The Odd Couple" with Jack Klugman when it toured London. A noted performer with the Royal Shakespeare Company, he proved equally adept in theatre musicals, providing delicious villainy as Fagin in "Oliver!" and Captain Hook in "Peter Pan". A theatre director of both legit and musical plays as well, Victor's one man show "A Very Private Diary" played all over the world. At age 70+, Victor remained active under the theatre lights playing Baron Bomburst in the musical version of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in 2003, and Baron Zeta in the operetta "The Merry Widow" in 2004.

Making his film debut with an uncredited bit in the British Behind the Mask (1958), Victor was featured in such films as Sparrows Can't Sing (1963) and The Gentle Terror (1963) before becoming a vital part of the cult "Beatlemania" phenomenon adding to the insanity in three of The Beatles' cinematic vehicles: A Hard Day's Night (1964), Help! (1965) and their hour-long Magical Mystery Tour (1967). While he could be quite dramatic when called upon, it was his comedic character diversions that showed up in such 1960's and 70's films as The Wild Affair (1965), the Burton/Taylor take on The Taming of The Shrew (1967) (as Hortensio), The Biggest Bundle of Them All (1968), Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969), Start the Revolution Without Me (1970), offbeat leads in both the comedy A Promise of Bed (1969) and the crimer Scacco alla mafia (1970), another Taylor/Burton effort Under Milk Wood (1971), Digby: The Biggest Dog in the World (1973), The Little Prince (1974), The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), Meeting Resistance (2007), Voyage of the Damned (1976), Some Like It Cool (1977) and Fiona (1977).

A TV favorite in England, he starred or co-starred in the comedy series Two in Clover (1969) opposite "Carry On" star Sidney James and Take My Wife... (1979). He focused more and more on the small screen into the 1980's with guest spots on such series as "Time of Your Life," "Sweet Sixteen," "Kelly Monteith" and "Bad Boyes," and a third regular TV series role in the comedy An Actor's Life for Me (1991) playing the inept agent of a struggling actor.

An excellent conversationalist and storyteller who briefly extended his talents into writing, Victor's later acting credits included the films Under the Cherry Moon (1986), The Krays (1990) and Julie and the Cadillacs (1999), the TV movies Mistral's Daughter (1984), The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank (1988) (as Van Daan), The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Attack of the Hawkmen (1995) and as a voiceover actor (the animated TV series (SuperTed (1983) and The Further Adventures of SuperTed (1989)).

Last seen in a couple of short films in 2006, Victor died on June 18, 2012, age 82, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the year before. He survived (by 15 years) his longtime partner, actor Graham Curnow, who died in 1997.

Sheila Fay was born in 1926 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress and writer, known for Together (1980), Doctor Who (1963) and The Liver Birds (1969). She was married to Ken Jones. She died on 31 August 2013 in Aberystwyth, Wales, UK.

Glyn Owen was born on 6 March 1928 in Bolton, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Attack on the Iron Coast (1968), The Trollenberg Terror (1956) and Blake's 7 (1978). He was married to Carrie Owen. He died on 10 September 2004 in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales, UK.

Richard Gregson was a British film producer and screenwriter.

He spent his early career working in United States, alongside stars such as Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Julie Christie, Alan Bates and director John Schlesinger. He married the American actress Natalie Wood in 1969. Together they had one child, the actress Natasha Gregson Wagner, born 1970. Gregson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 33rd Academy Awards for his work on The Angry Silence with his elder brother Michael Craig and Bryan Forbes.

In 2012, he published a memoir titled Behind the Screen Door: Tales from the Hollywood Hills.

Ray Smith was also a political activist and a member of Plaid Cymru, the national party of Wales. In the 1950s he worked as the party's southern organizer. He lived in the village of Dinas Powys in the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff and later at Abercwmboi, Mountain Ash in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Beth Morris was born on 19 July 1943 in Gorseinon, West Glamorgan, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for David Copperfield (1974), I, Claudius (1976) and Barlow at Large (1971). She was married to Stephen Moore. She died on 1 March 2018 in Y Garn, Penllergaer, Wales, UK.

Eric Flynn was born on 13 December 1939 in Hainan Island, China. He was an actor, known for Empire of the Sun (1987), A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967) and Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow (1963). He was married to Caroline Forbes and Fern Warner. He died on 4 March 2002 in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK.

Lived in Rhyl for many years with his wife Lala, his son Richard still lives and works in the area, I lived next door to Tiny for 18 years, such a lovely man, I do remember climbing on his coal shed roof one day and fell through into the garden, he wasn't best pleased, Tiny also acted in panto all over the UK

Gordon Wharmby was born on 6 November 1933 in Salford, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Poirot (1989), Last of the Summer Wine (1973) and The Practice (1985). He was married to Muriel. He died on 18 May 2002 in Abergele, Clwyd, Wales, UK.

Katherine Schofield was born on 16 March 1939 in Yorkshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Lifeforce (1985), The Deep Concern (1979) and Doctor Who (1963). She died on 6 August 2002 in Glamorgan, Wales, UK.

Helen Griffin was born in 1959 in Swansea, Wales, UK. She was an actress and writer, known for The Machine (2013), Little White Lies (2006) and Human Traffic (1999). She died on 29 June 2018 in Wales, UK.

Andrew Jones was a prolific independent film producer, screenwriter, director and editor.

Born on 6th October 1983 in Swansea, South Wales, Andrew was educated at Olchfa Comprehensive School and later attended the University of Glamorgan. At the age of 27, he founded UK production company North Bank Entertainment to produce independent genre films with a similar aesthetic to the work of American luminaries Roger Corman and Charles Band. Andrew went on to become one of the most prolific independent film producers in the UK with an established track record of commercially successful titles. Andrew's feature films, most of which he also wrote and directed, regularly received distribution in numerous territories around the world including the UK, North America, Canada, Germany, South America, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, the Philippines, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Distribution companies he worked with include Lionsgate, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Pictures and 4Digital Media.

In North America, Andrew's independent titles regularly appeared on the DVD shelves of retail giants such as Walmart, generating a high level of physical sales which consistently defy the odds. In the United Kingdom, nine of Andrew's films reached the Top 30 of the national DVD chart, thirteen of his films placed in the Top 5 of best selling Direct-to-Video titles in their first week of release and four of his films reached the Number 1 position on the HMV DVD Premiere Chart.

According to the annual BFI Research and Statistics booklet North Bank Entertainment regularly maintained a Top 10 spot on the list of production companies involved in the greatest number of commercially released British feature films each year. Andrew's top selling titles include the Robert (2015) franchise which to date has generated five films, culminating with Robert Reborn (2019) all of which have been released in dozens of territories worldwide.

Andrew was married to artist and filmmaker Sharron Jones and resided in his hometown of Swansea in South Wales until his passing in 2023.

William Marlowe was born on 25 July 1930 in London, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Wuthering Heights (1967), The Gentle Touch (1980) and Doctor Who (1963). He was married to Kismet Delgado, Catherine Schell and Linda Marlowe. He died on 31 January 2003 in Carmarthen, Wales, UK.

Bryn Phillips was born in Abercynon, Glamorgan, Wales, UK. He died on 19 February 2014 in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, UK.

Noel Johnson was born on 28 December 1916 in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Frenzy (1972), Withnail and I (1987) and For Your Eyes Only (1981). He was married to Leonora Johnson. He died on 2 October 1999 in Glamorgan, Wales, UK.

Clifford Evans was born on 17 February 1912 in Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales, UK. He was an actor and producer, known for The Kiss of the Vampire (1963), Courageous Mr. Penn (1942) and Mutiny on the Elsinore (1937). He was married to Hermione Hannen. He died on 9 June 1985 in Welshpool, Wales, UK.

Iain Rogerson was born in October 1960 in Cefn-y-bedd, Wrexham, Wales, UK. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Bedazzled (2000), Mack the Knife (1989) and Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001). He died on 13 October 2017 in Wrexham, Wales, UK.

Leslie Sands was born on 19 May 1921 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Z Cars (1962), The Avengers (1961) and BBC Sunday-Night Play (1960). He was married to Pauline Williams. He died on 9 May 2001 in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK.

Ivor Roberts (19 July 1925 - 5 September 1999) was an English actor and a television continuity announcer who often appeared in comedic roles.

Born in Nottingham, he returned to acting following service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Roberts started his television career as a continuity announcer on regional television in Wales, working for TWW before that company lost its franchise in 1968.

Among his better-known roles were the characters of Arnold Thomas in the 1995-97 television series Oh, Doctor Beeching! and Mr Barnes in the second, third and fourth series of You Rang, M'Lord?. He also made a guest appearance, as a police officer, in one episode of George and Mildred. Another notable appearance was as Mr. Chick in Dombey and Son. He also played a part in "Porridge".

He died in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999 at the age of 74.

Meredith Edwards was born on 10 June 1917 in Rhosllannerchrugog, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for A Run for Your Money (1949), Flower of Evil (1961) and Only Two Can Play (1962). He was married to Daisy Clark. He died on 8 February 1999 in Denbighshire, Wales, UK.