Michael Williams
British actor

Michael Williams

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British actor
Gender:
Male
Places:
United KingdomGreat Britain
Is:
ActorStage actorFilm actorTelevision actor
Work field:
Film, TV, Stage & Radio
Birth:
9 July 1935(Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom)
Death:
11 January 2001(Hampstead, London Borough of Camden, Greater London, United Kingdom)
Star sign:
Cancer
Religions:
Catholic church
Education:
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
London Borough of Camden, Greater London, United Kingdom
( - 1959)
St Edward's College
Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Family:
Spouse(s):
Judi Dench (1971-2001)
Children:
Finty Williams
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The details
Biography

Introduction

Michael Leonard Williams KSG (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was a British actor who played both classical and comedy roles. He was best known for co-starring in the sitcom A Fine Romance with his wife Dame Judi Dench, and for voicing Dr. Watson in the long-running Sherlock Holmes adaptations for BBC Radio.

Biography

Williams was born in Salford, Lancashire, England.

Williams married Judi Dench on 5 February 1971, the same year in which they co-starred in a stage production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter, Finty Williams, who is also an actress. Williams was also godfather to the actor Rory Kinnear.

Williams was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.

Michael Williams
Williams' grave

Shortly before his death from lung cancer aged 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, and was buried in the churchyard of St Leonard's, the Anglican parish church of Charlecote, Warwickshire. Williams was a fan of Everton FC.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1962 The Trial of Joan of Arc Englishman Uncredited
1967 Marat/Sade Herald
1968 Tell Me Lies Guest Documentary
1969 Tintin and the Temple of the Sun Tintin Voice, Uncredited
1972 Eagle in a Cage Barry O'Meara
1974 Dead Cert Sandy Mason
1982 Enigma Hirsch, Limmer's Assistant
1983 Educating Rita Brian
1989 Henry V Michael Williams
1999 Tea with Mussolini British Consul

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1962 Z-Cars Norbert Nuttall 1 episode
1970 A Family at War Eddie Chappell 1 episode
1971 Elizabeth R François, Duke of Anjou and Alençon 1 episode
1975 The Hanged Man Alan Crowe 8 episodes
1979 My Son, My Son William Essex 8 episodes
1980 Love in a Cold Climate Davey Warbeck 8 episodes
1981–1984 A Fine Romance Mike Selway 26 episodes
1987 Blunt: The Fourth Man Goronwy Rees
1988 Double First Norman 'N.V.' Standish 7 episodes
1988-1989 Charlie Chalk Charlie Chalk, Lewis T. Duck, Trader Jones and Litterbug (voice) 13 episodes
1989 Screen Two Michael Darlow 1 episode
1993–1994 Conjugal Rites Barry Masefield 13 episodes
1993–1995 September Song Billy Balsam 20 episodes
1996 Kavanagh QC DCI Knowland 1 episode
1997 A Dance to the Music of Time Ted Jeavons 2 episodes
1999 The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Father Daley 2 episodes, (final appearance)

Select radio roles

Year Title Role
1973 The War Between Men and Women reader
1989–1998 Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson
1990 The Forsyte Chronicles Young Jolyon Forsyte
1995–1996 Change at Oglethorpe Rocket
1995–1999 The George Cragge series George Cragge
1997 Mansfield Park Sir Thomas Bertram
1998–1999 Old Dog and Partridge Jack
1999–2000 Bristow Bristow

Stage roles

Principal stage appearances; mostly with the Royal Shakespeare Company:

  • 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.