He was awarded the 1982 Critics Circle Theatre Awards (Drama Theatre
Award) for Best Supporting Actor of 1981 for his performances in A Kind
of Alaska and The Importance of Being Earnest.
He spent his early career mostly with the Old Vic company, first in Bristol and later in London. He played a variety of Shakespearean roles, across the dramas, comedies, and history plays.
Won Broadway's 1967 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for Harold Pinter's
"The Homecoming," a role he recreated in the film version of the same
name, The Homecoming (1973). Previously, he was nominated for a Tony in 1963 as Best
Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Photo Finish."