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The British actor Michael Rennie worked as a car salesman and factory manager before he turned to acting. A meeting with a Gaumont-British Studios casting director led to Rennie's first acting job - that of stand-in for Robert Young in Secret Agent (1936) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He put his film career on hold for a few years to get some acting experience on the stage, working in repertory in York and Windsor. Afterwards, he returned to films and achieved star status in I'll Be Your Sweetheart (1945). Brought to Hollywood in 1950 and signed to a contract by studio head Darryl F. Zanuck, Rennie was cast in arguably his most popular role as Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), when director Robert Wise's first choice, Claude Rains, was unavailable. After that he worked as a supporting actor for eight years until his return to England in 1959. At that time, he took the lead role of Harry Lime in the television series The Third Man (1959). Throughout his career, he made numerous guest appearances on television, particularly on American programs.

Unassuming, innocent-eyed and undeniably ingratiating, Brit comedy actor Ian Carmichael was quite the popular chap in late 50s and early 60s film. He was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England on June 18, 1920, the son of Arthur Denholm Carmichael, an optician, and his wife Kate (Gillett). After receiving his schooling at Bromsgove High School and Scarborough College, he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and trained there, making his stage debut as a mute robot in "RUR". in 1939. That same year he also appeared as Claudius in "Julius Caesar" and was appearing a revue production of "Nine Sharp" (1940) when his young career was interrupted by WWII. He served in Europe for many years with the Royal Armoured Corps as a commissioned officer in the 22nd Dragoons.

Ian returned to the theatre in 1947 with roles in four productions: "She Wanted a Cream Front Door", "I Said to Myself", "Cupid and Mars" and "Out of the Frying Pan". He also sharpened his farcical skills in music hall revues where he worked with such revue legends as Hermione Baddeley and Dora Bryan. Given his first film bit as a waiter in Bond Street (1948), he continued in rather obscure roles for several years. While he was sincerely capable of playing it serious, which would include roles in the U.S. film Betrayed (1954) starring Clark Gable and Lana Turner, as well as the war-themed adventures The Colditz Story (1955) and Storm Over the Nile (1955), it was his association with late 50s "silly-ass" comedy that gave his cinematic career a noticeable boost. After repeating his stage success (the only cast member to do do) playing David Prentice in the film version of Simon and Laura (1955) opposite Kay Kendall and Peter Finch, he co-starred in a series of droll satires for the Boulting Brothers and Ealing Studios. While he might have been upstaged on occasion by a motley crew of scene-stealers (Terry-Thomas, Peter Sellers, Raymond Huntley, Margaret Rutherford), Ian was sublimely funny himself as the hapless klutz caught up in their shenanigans. Private's Progress (1956), the service comedy which got the whole ball rolling, and its sequel, I'm All Right Jack (1959), along with the Boulting's Lucky Jim (1957) Brothers in Law (1957) and Happy Is the Bride (1958) firmly established Ian as a slapstick movie star.

The inane fun continued into the 60s with ripe vehicles in Skywatch (1960), School for Scoundrels (1960), Double Bunk (1961), The Amorous Mr. Prawn (1962) and Heavens Above! (1963). During the late 1960s and 1970s, he found more fulfillment playing wry, bemused, upper-crust characters on comedy TV, particularly his Bertie Wooster in The World of Wooster (1965) which reunited him with frequent Boulting Brothers co-star Dennis Price as Jeeves, Wooster's chilly-mannered personal valet. Ian's leading role as the Bachelor Father (1970), based on the story of a real-life perennial bachelor who took on several foster children, only added to his popularity. In later years, he was frequently heard on the BBC radio.

Ian made vigilant returns to the comedy stage whenever possible in such lightweight vehicles as "The Tunnel of Love", "The Gazebo", "Critic's Choice", "Birds on the Wing", "Darling, I'm Home", "Springtime for Henry" and appeared in his last musical "I Do! I Do!" in 1968. Earlier, in 1965, he made his Broadway debut starring in "Boeing-Boeing", which lasted only a few weeks. A more successful revival of this show showed up on Broadway in 2008.

Semi-retired since the mid-1980s, Ian continued to show elderly spryness here and there with a smattering of films including The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971), From Beyond the Grave (1974), The Lady Vanishes (1979) and Dark Obsession (1989). On TV, he was quite popular in the role of the gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey in several crime mystery mini-series: Clouds of Witness (1972), The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (1972), Murder Must Advertise (1973), The Nine Tailors (1974) and Five Red Herrings (1975), and had a recurring role on the TV series Strathblair (1992).

To cap his career off, he was honored as an OBE in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List. Made a widower after 40 years by his first wife Jean (Pym) McLean, he married novelist/radio producer Kate Fenton, who is over thirty years his junior, in 1992. He has two daughters, Lee and Sally, from his first marriage. In 1979, his autobiography, "Will the Real Ian Carmichael?...", was published.

A charmer to the end, his last (recurring) appearance was on the TV series The Royal (2003) in 2009. The actor died on February 7, 2010, following a month-long illness.

His real name is Gordon but when he applied to join Equity their reply was addressed to Gorden and soon after he was in hospital with a stone in his kidney. When he came round after the operation he noticed his name on his chart was Gorden so he stuck to it. He was born in Huddersfield to a Scottish mother who was married to a local man who was an engineer. On leaving school he became a sales clerk in a textile company then in the early 60's he ran a radio show on hospital radio and used to interview pop stars at the local theatre. A friend in the local amateur theatre company asked him to help paint some scenery and do some other odd jobs then when the friend had to drop out of a play Gorden stood in for him and from his first moment on stage he realised that was what he wanted to do. He was spotted by Alan Ayckbourn who gave him advice which led to him going to the Octogon Theatre in Bolton for 13 months. His first part in 68 was playing an old man of 80. He then made his television debut in Coronation Street for 50+ episodes as Bernard, Elsie Tanner's nephew. He then did episodes of 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Are You Being Served, both by David Croft who said that he'd write a larger part for him and in 1982 created Rene and 'Allo Allo.

Born Leeds, England and trained at Old Vic Theatre School, 1947-1949. First stage appearance in "Tough at the Top" (C.B. Cochran's last musical) in 1949, followed by seasons at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon; Glasgow Citizen's and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. First in London's West End in "The Happy Time" (1952) and more recently in "Worzel Gummidge", "A Month of Sundays", "Maria" and "Unfinished Business". Overseas: played Caesar in "Caesar and Cleopatra" (International Festival, Paris, 1956); Ravinia Shakespeare Festival (Chicago, 1964); Pickering in "My Fair Lady" (Houston, 1991). In 1998 he was nominated as "Best Actor" for the Royal Midland Television Awards for his role as Alby James in an episode of Peak Practice (1993).

Jimmy Savile was born on 31 October 1926 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for When Louis Met... Jimmy (2000), Ferry Cross the Mersey (1964) and Go Go Mania (1965). He died on 29 October 2011 in Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Kal Biggins was born on 31 October 1990 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK. Kal is known for Censor (2021). Kal died on 9 December 2021 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK.

John Collin was born on 18 October 1928 in Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Tess (1979), The Guardians (1971) and Our Mutual Friend (1976). He died on 25 February 1987 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Anthony Booth was born on 9 October 1931 in Liverpool, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Corruption (1968), Till Death Us Do Part (1965) and The Hi-Jackers (1963). He was married to Stephanie Buckley, Nancy Jaeger, Patricia Phoenix and Gale Booth. He died on 25 September 2017 in Todmorden, Yorkshire, England, UK.

Christopher Gable was born on 13 March 1940 in London, England, UK. He was an actor and director, known for The Boy Friend (1971), Doctor Who (1963) and The Devil's Crown (1978). He was married to Carole Needham. He died on 23 October 1998 in Near Halifax, Yorkshire, England, UK.

Paul was a well established comedian on the club and cabaret circuit when he branched out into acting in 1974 appearing in several BBC 'Plays for Today' directed by Stephen Frears and making his debut in A Day Out. His big break came when he was picked by Jimmy Perry and David Croft to play camp host Ted Bovis in the new sit com Hi-De-Hi. From there he went on to do 4 series of You Rang M'Lord and his film debut in La Passione

The British character actor Bernard Miles was born in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, in 1907; his father was a farm laborer and his mother was a cook. After graduation from Pembroke College, Oxford, he was a teacher for a while and then joined the New Theatre in London. In 1937, he worked in Herbert Farjeon's revue company and established his theatrical career. He made appearances in relatively few films, serving as director, producer, and screenwriter, as well as actor, on a number of them. In 1959, Miles opened the Mermaid Theatre in London; his contributions to the London stage won him a knighthood in 1969 and a life peerage ten years later.

The dreamiest of the talented Brontë clan, Emily Jane Brontë was born in 1818. Her mother died when she was barely more than a toddler, and Emily and her younger sister, Anne, became very close. Along with their other siblings, 'Charlotte Bronte' and Branwell Bronte, they invented the make-believe kingdoms of Angria and Gondal, which occupied their lonely childhoods.

Emily never socialized well, and had few friends outside her family. In 1846 she and her sisters published a compilation of their poetry, "Poems", which was followed a year later by Emily's only novel, "Wuthering Heights". An intense and powerful novel, whose enigmatic hero Heathcliff was modeled on Emily's brother, Branwell, "Wuthering Heights" was not an immediate success like Charlotte's "Jane Eyre", but was later recognized as one of the best books of English Literature. Like her sisters, Emily published her book under a male pseudonym, Eliss Bell. In 1848, while attending the funeral of her brother Branwell, Emily caught a cold that developed quickly into the tuberculosis that would take her own life later that year.

Paul Luty was born on 4 May 1932 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Love Thy Neighbour (1972), In Loving Memory (1969) and Juggernaut (1974). He died on 10 January 1985 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Peter Diamond was one of the finest British stuntmen, with a career spanning over fifty years worth of television and film work. He originally trained as an actor at RADA and went on to become a stuntman, fight arranger and director. He is best known internationally for his work on the Star Wars films, as well as his contributions to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Superman II (1980), and Highlander (1992) and Highlander (1986). Peter also toured the UK giving demonstrations of his craft at theatres and events for schools.

Jack Brady is an English actor born in Leamington Spa.

At the age of 15 he discovered Shakespeare and never looked back as acting became his constant driving force. In his second year at drama school Jack became the first non London based drama student to win the Laurence Olivier Bursary Award.

Jack has many years of theatre experience and his excellent comic timing has lead to roles being written specifically for him.

After working with Tom Hooper, Jack has directed his energy towards the screen and has worked with a range of directors for both film and television including Tim Burton, Shekhar Kapur and Guillem Morales. Jack is fast building a reputation as an accomplished character actor in both the UK and the USA.

Pat Kirkwood was born on 24 February 1921 in Pendleton, Salford, Greater Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for After the Ball (1957), BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) and The Passing Show (1951). She was married to Peter Knight, Hubert Gregg, Spiro de Spero Gabriele and John William Atkinson Lister. She died on 25 December 2007 in Ilkley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Jack Woolgar was born on 15 September 1913 in Thames Ditton, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor and producer, known for The Intruder (1972), Doctor Who (1963) and The Avengers (1961). He was married to Elizabeth Mann. He died on 14 July 1978 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK.

After leaving the RAF he trained for the theatre with Esme Church of the Northern Theatre School between 1951 -52, He became an expert swordsman to such an extent that he arranges fights for stage, film and television and is a founder member of the British Fight Arrangers, He was the first actor to be given a special citation as a performer by American TV Radio Commercials Festival (1969) He first played Alf Roberts in Coronation Street in 1961. Married to Norma he had 3 sons and 3 daughters Jonathan ,Bernard and Leonard and Jacqueline, Simone and Helen,

Being illegitimate, he had an unsettled childhood due to his mother not being around much during the first 10 years of his life. Consequently he was brought up by an aunt. Eventually he met his father, a German named Karl, when he was 28. After leaving school, he was apprenticed for 5 years to a Yorkshire firm that built diesel engines. In 1960, he joined the Merchant Navy with a dream of seeing the world but all he saw was the engine room. After 4 years, he settled in London where his first job was with a crew digging the London Victoria tube line tunnel. Relaxing in a folk club, he got talking to a man putting on plays with an amateur group, and did an audition, resulting in him getting a part which led him to be in the last 15 in a drama school in Loughton, Essex. After 3 years, he got steady work in the theatre and television including the series Lucky Feller (1975). Soon after, he went to Australia where he spent 2 years touring on a motorbike and busking with his guitar before returning to England, but all his agent could get him was a TV ad for Yellow Pages which was seen by Granada producers who thought him right for the part of Bill Webster in Coronation Street (1960).

Teddy Turner was born on 13 June 1917 in Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for All Creatures Great & Small (1978), This Year Next Year (1977) and Never the Twain (1981). He died on 29 August 1992 in Horsforth, Yorkshire, England, UK.

Olga Grahame was born on 22 June 1932 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Brassed Off (1996), Body & Soul (1993) and The Bad Mother's Handbook (2007). She was married to John Douglas Mundy. She died in 2016 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, UK.

Jane Arden was born in Wales in 1927 and left for London in her teens.

She trained at RADA and quickly began working as an actress and playwright. It was there that she met her future husband, Philip Saville, who is now perhaps most known for his work Boys from the Blackstuff (1982) and The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1986). They had 2 children, Sebastian Saville and Dominic Saville and one step- child, Elizabeth Saville.

Jane Arden's plays include The Thug (1959) which starred Alan Bates, The Party (1958) which was directed by Charles Laughton and gave Albert Finney his first role in the theatre, Post Mortem (1999), _The New Communion For Freaks, Prophets and Witches (1999)_, The Illusionist (1983) and Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven (1969).

Jane Arden began tracing female oppression in 1966 when she wrote a script for the film The Logic Game (1965). It was described as a "surrealist puzzle" attempting to locate the isolation of women in the context of bourgeois marriage.

Arden's film career includes her original script and her performance in Separation (1968), which featured the song "Salad Days" by Procol Harum and was directed by Jane Arden's collaborator Jack Bond. In this film, women's' exploitation was exposed as their personal dilemma began to take on a political context.

Arden formed the feminist theatre group "Holocaust" and then wrote a play with the same name. In 1972, she adapted and directed this for the cinema as The Other Side of Underneath (1972).

Before her involvement with the Women's Liberation Movement, she appeared on TV talk programmes like Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life (1964) as a speaker on women and politics. As an actress, she was best known for her performance as "Inez" in a BBC-TV production of Jean-Paul Sartre Huis clos (1965), opposite Harold Pinter as "Garcia".

Two more films, both co-directed with Jack Bond, followed in the later 1970s, the experimental Vibration (1974), made in the USA in 1974, and Anti-Clock (1979) which opened the 1979 London Film Festival. It was the fist film to use video techniques in an experimental way. Her poetry books include "You Don't Know What You Want, Do You?". Jane Arden committed suicide on Dec. 20, 1982 in North Yorkshire and is buried in Darlington West Cemetary. She was 55 years old.

Michael Stainton was born on 4 October 1934 in Hipperholme, Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for You Must Be the Husband (1987), Charters & Caldicott (1985) and Whacko! (1956). He was married to Christina Evelyn Stainton. He died on 13 August 2022 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, UK.

Joe Belcher was born on 29 August 1928 in Berkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for An American Werewolf in London (1981), Village Hall (1974) and The Practice (1985). He died on 16 August 2006 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Barry Hines was born on 30 June 1939 in Hoyland Common, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was a writer, known for Kes (1969), Threads (1984) and Play for Today (1970). He was married to Eleanor Mulvey and Margaret Croft. He died on 18 March 2016 in South Yorkshire, England, UK.