Monday 29 October 2012

Britain is still a country for and says "Happy Birthday" to a quintessentially old English actor called Robert Hardy

Robert is 87  years old today and what you possibly didn't know, that he

* was born in 1925 in Cheltenham, where his father was Headmaster of Cheltenham College and was educated at Rugby School and Magdalen College,Oxford University where his studies were interrupted by service in the Royal Air Force.

* began his career as a classical actor in 1959 at the age of 34, appearing as Sicinius opposite Laurence Olivier in Shakespeae's 'Coriolanus' and then appeared in Henry V on stage and in 'An Age of Kings' with a young Judy Dench in 1960.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYNQOczcHWY



* played Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester opposite Glenda Jackson in 'Elizabeth R' in 1971 at the age of 46 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI5UHx36r34

* at the age of 50 in 1975, portrayed Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert in the award-winning 13-hour serial 'Edward the Seventh' and here discusses the American Civil War : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W_-agVKhwM

* played Winston Churchill most notably in 'Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years' at the age of 56 in 1981 for which he won a BAFTA award : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAphLIIJr4c

* was the senior veterinarian Siegfried Farnon in the long-running 'All Creatures Geat and Small' from 1978-90 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r07T0UgvGrY&feature=relmfu


* while playing Henry V,  developed an interest in medieval warfare and later wrote and presented an acclaimed tv documentary on the subject of the 'Battle of Agincourt' and written two books on the subject of the longbow, 'Longbow: A Social and Military History' and 'The Great War Bow'.

was one of the experts consulted by the archaeologist  responsible for raising the the Tudor warship 'Mary Rose' and in 1996  was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries'.

Britain's old men say "Thanks Robert, for all the pleasure you've given us with your acting and that beautiful English voice over the years".

1 comment:

  1. Excellent stuff ... We have a campaign to get Robert Hardy the Knighthood that is so deserved and so overdue. We are hoping it will be the best 90th Birthday present possible ! The nomination is under consideration and we have the support of some very influential and fascinating people who have worked with Robert over the years. Please join us on Facebook....https://goo.gl/KFlvEC Giovanna Cresswell-Forrester

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