Advanced search

A classical actor (and founding member in 1960 of the Royal Shakespeare Company), Richardson earned international fame as the villainous Francis Urquart in the BBC television trilogy, "House of Cards." Uttered in a cut-glass accent, the Machiavellian Prime Minister's sly "You might well think that ... I couldn't possibly comment" became a catchphrase when the series was broadcast in the 1990s. Richardson's contributions to his art were honored in 1989 when he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE.) Fittingly, his family had his ashes buried beneath the auditorium of the new Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Born the son of John and Margaret (Drummond) Richardson on April 7, 1934, he was educated at Tynecastle School in Edinburgh, and studied for the stage at the College of Dramatic Art in Glasgow, where he was awarded the James Bridie Gold Medal in 1957. He joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company a year later where he played Hamlet as well as John Worthing in "The Importance of being Earnest." In 1960 he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (then called the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre) and drew excellent notices for his work in "The Merchant of Venice," "Twelfth Night," "The Winter's Tale," "Much Ado About Nothing," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "The Taming of the Shrew," "The Comedy of Errors" and "King Lear", among others. In 1964 Richardson played the role of the Herald before advancing to the title role of Jean-Paul Marat in the stunning, avant-garde RSC production of "Marat-Sade". In addition, he made his Broadway debut in said role at the very end of 1965, and recreated it to critical acclaim in Peter Brooks' film adaptation with Glenda Jackson as murderess Charlotte Corday. Richardson also went on to replay Oberon in a lukewarm film version of RSC's A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) that nevertheless bore an elite company of Britain's finest pre-Dames -- Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Diana Rigg. One of his lower film points during that time period, however, was appearing in the huge musical movie misfire Man of La Mancha (1972) in the role of the Padre opposite Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren.

Richardson was never far from the Shakespearean stage after his induction into films with majestic portraits of Coriolanus, Pericles, Richard II, Richard III, Cassius ("Julius Caesar"), Malcolm ("Macbeth"), Angelo ("Measure for Measure"), Prospero ("The Tempest") and Mercutio ("Romeo and "Juliet") paving the way. Elsewhere on Broadway he received a Drama Desk Award and Tony nomination for his splendid Henry Higgins in a revival of "My Fair Lady" in 1976, and was part of the cast of the short-lived (12 performances) production of "Lolita" (1981), written by Edward Albee and starring Donald Sutherland as Humbert Humbert.

Customary of many talented Scots, Richardson would find his best on-camera roles in plush, intelligent TV mini-series. On the Shakespearean front he appeared in TV adaptations of As You Like It (1963), All's Well That Ends Well (1968) and Much Ado About Nothing (1978). After delivering highly capable performances as Field-Marshal Montgomery in both Churchill and the Generals (1979) and Ike: The War Years (1979), Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983), and Indian Prime Minister Nehru in Masterpiece Theatre: Lord Mountbatten - The Last Viceroy (1986), he capped his small-screen career in the role of the immoral politician Francis Urquhart in a trio of dramatic satires: House of Cards (1990), To Play the King (1993) and The Final Cut (1995). His impeccably finely-tuned villain became one his best remembered roles.

Filmwise, Richardson's stature did not grow despite polished work in Brazil (1985), Cry Freedom (1987), Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990), M. Butterfly (1993), Dark City (1998), and the lightweight mainstream fare B*A*P*S (1997) and 102 Dalmatians (2000). He appeared less and less on stage in his later years. He took his final stage bows in 2006 with West End productions of "The Creeper" and "The Alchemist".

The urbane 72-year-old actor died unexpectedly in his sleep at his London abode on February 9, 2007, survived by his widow Maroussia Frank (his wife from 1961 and an RSC actress who played an asylum inmate alongside him in "Marat-Sade") and two sons, one of whom, Miles Richardson, has been a resident performer with the RSC.

Mary Tamm was an English actress from Bradford, with Estonian and Russian descent. She is primarily remembered for portraying Romana I, the first incarnation of the female Time Lord Romana in the long-running science fiction television series "Doctor Who" (1963-1989). Tamm portrayed the character throughout the story arc "The Key to Time" (1978-1979). Her version of the character was well-educated, haughty, and somewhat arrogant, but inexperienced as an adventurer. Romana I was then replaced by Romana II (played by Lalla Ward), who was depicted as a more confident, and wittier incarnation.

She was the daughter of emigrant parents, who had fled Stalinist persecution in their native Soviet Union. Tamm's father was Estonian, and Tamm's mother was a Russian opera singer. Four of Tamm's paternal uncles died while serving prison sentences in the gulag labor camps. Tamm learned only the Estonian language at her home, and went on to attend Estonian-language school on Saturdays. She learned English as a second language, when enrolled in a primary school.

In 1961, the 11-year-old Tamm won a scholarship to attend the Bradford Girls' Grammar School, a private school active since 1875. She soon joined the city's Civic Theatre, as a child actress. By the time she reached adulthood, she wanted to become a full-time actress. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1969 to 1971.

In 1971, Tamm started regularly performing with the Birmingham Repertory Company. In 1972, she moved to London to secure a role in a musical at the city's stage. In 1973, Tamm made her BBC television debut as the character Sally Ross in "The Donati Conspiracy". She started regularly appearing in various film and television roles at this point. She portrayed the intended victim of a human sacrifice in the "Luau" segment of the horror anthology film "Tales That Witness Madness" (1973), and she portrayed the protagonist's victimized girlfriend in the neo-Nazi-themed spy thriller film "The Odessa File" (1974).

When initially offered to play the role of a female companion in "Doctor Who" , Tamm wanted to refuse. She felt that the companions of the series were damsels in distress with limited character development. She changed her mind when the producers assured her that Romana would be a member of the Doctor's own species, and as capable as the Doctor himself. Tamm was disappointed when she realized that Romana was essentially a sidekick, and often in peril. She decided to leave the series after a single story arc, though she left the show on relatively good terms. Tamm was annoyed when rumors about her supposed pregnancy were spread by a former producer of the show.

In the 1980s, Tamm had leading roles in several short-lived dramas and in the sitcom "The Hello, Goodbye Man". In the early 1990s, she was a regular guest panelist on the morning quiz show "Crosswits". From 1993 to 1996, Tamm portrayed a recurring character in the soap opera Brookside. In 2005, Tamm was cast as Pandora in the "Gallifrey" audio plays produced by Big Finish Productions. In the 2010s, she returned to the role of Romana in seven "Doctor Who" audio adventures. They were released posthumously in 2013.

In 2009, Tamm published the first volume of her autobiography, under the title "First Generation". She was working on a second volume at the time of her death from cancer in July 2012. The second volume was published posthumously in 2014. Tamm was survived by her only daughter, Lauren. Though long gone, Tamm remains popular in the science fiction fandom.

Angela Thorne was born on 25 January 1939 in Karachi, Sindh, British India. She was an actress, known for To the Manor Born (1979), Mystery and Imagination (1966) and The BFG (1989). She was married to Peter Penry-Jones. She died on 16 June 2023 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Julie Alexander was born on 9 May 1938 in Fulham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Dentist in the Chair (1960), William (1962) and Operation Bullshine (1959). She died on 31 January 2003 in Meadbank Nursing Centre, Battersea, London, England, UK.

Eric Francis was born on 21 March 1912 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (1983), Doctor Who (1963) and The Real Charlotte (1990). He died on 7 June 1991 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Jemma Hyde was born on 24 September 1941 in Edmonton, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Secret Agent (1964), The Saint (1962) and In the Wake of a Stranger (1959). She died on 28 January 2017 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Richard Pescud was born on 1 February 1928 in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Top Secret! (1984), The Avengers (1961) and Gazette (1968). He was married to Jeanne Watts. He died on 5 April 2003 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Jack Beaver was born on 27 March 1900 in Clapham, London, England, UK. He was a composer, known for The Savages (2007), Wings Over Africa (1936) and Baroud (1932). He died on 10 September 1963 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

George Turner was born on 10 December 1882 in London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Henry Steps Out (1940), Two Smart Men (1940) and The Croxley Master (1921). He died in 1942 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Gordon Begg was born on 14 January 1868 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Great Expectations (1946), What Do We Do Now? (1945) and The Bandolero (1924). He died on 4 February 1954 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Empsie Bowman was born on 7 June 1881 in Stratford, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Poison Pen (1939) and Vote for Huggett (1949). She died on 31 October 1964 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

British YouTube Emily Hartridge's lifestyle, fitness and travel videos drew nearly 350,000 subscribers. She also worked on a British television series called, "Oh S**t, I'm 30." The 35-year-old was one of the first wave of social media stars, becoming famous seven years ago for her "Ten Reasons Why ..." videos that took a comic look at modern life. After gaining 3m views a month, she began presenting TV shows including 4OD's Oh Sh*t I'm 30 and interviewed actors including Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Jackman.

Edward Thane was born on 1 February 1873 in Brill, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Almost a Honeymoon (1930). He was married to Louise Hampton. He died on 19 January 1954 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Diana Menuhin was born on 12 November 1912 in Belgravia, London, England, UK. She was a writer, known for Contrasts (1967), Yehudi Menuhin, chemin de lumière (1971) and Le grand échiquier (1972). She was married to Yehudi Menuhin. She died on 25 January 2003 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Lena Halliday was born in 1872 in Balham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for After the Verdict (1929), When Knights Were Bold (1929) and Inquest (1931). She died on 19 December 1937 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Nellie Bowman was born on 29 November 1877 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Tilly of Bloomsbury (1948), Busman's Honeymoon (1947) and Bypass to Happiness (1934). She died on 20 April 1953 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Neale Stainton was born on 26 June 1916 in York, North Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Tartarino sulle Alpi (1968) and The Count of Monte Cristo (1966). He died on 11 November 2008 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Claude Newman was born on 20 April 1903 in the UK. He was an actor, known for Carnaval (1937), Casse-Noisette (1937) and Job (1936). He died on 28 January 1974 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Hugh Bicket was born in 1879 in Liverpool, England, UK. He was an actor, known for John Halifax (1938). He was married to Lesley Farrow Smith and Eva May Barlow. He died on 18 May 1959 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Trevor Kenyon was born on 2 September 1921 in the UK. He died on 26 January 2007 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Julia Clements was born on 10 April 1906 in Belvedere, Kent, England, UK. She was married to Sir Alexander Hay Seton and William George Sharp. She died on 1 November 2010 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Harry Frankiss was born in 1872 in Chelsea, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Inheritance (1920). He died on 31 January 1930 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Frank A. Tilley was born on 19 September 1887 in Tooting, London, England, UK. He was a director and writer, known for Venetian Lovers (1925), Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight (1926) and The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1926). He died on 13 February 1971 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Hilton Earl was born in 1964 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK. Hilton was a director and writer, known for One Last Thing (2002). Hilton died on 16 April 2012 in Battersea, London, England, UK.

Hilliard Vox was born on 3 January 1877 in Clapton, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Thirteenth Candle (1933) and All for Gold, or Jumping the Claim (1911). He died in 1956 in Battersea, London, England, UK.