Simon Anthony Fox Ward(16 October 1941 – 20 July 2012) was a British stage and filmactor.He was known chiefly for his performance asWinston Churchillin the 1972 filmYoung Winston.He played many other screen roles, including those of Sir Monty Everard inJudge John DeedandBishop GardinerinThe Tudors.
Simon Ward | |
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![]() Simon Ward asArthur HolmwoodinBram Stoker's Dracula | |
Born | Simon Anthony Fox Ward 16 October 1941 |
Died | 20 July 2012 | (aged 70)
Resting place | Highgate Cemetery,Highgate,London |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1964–2012 |
Spouse |
Alexandra Malcolm (m.1964) |
Children | 3, includingSophieandKitty |
Relatives | Michael McIntyre(son-in-law) |
Early life and education
editSimon Ward was born on 16 October 1941[1][2][3]inBeckenham,Kent,the son of Leonard Fox Ward, acar dealer,and his wife Winifred.[2][4]From an early age he wanted to be an actor. He received his formal education atAlleyn's School,London,where from the age of 14 he was one of the founding members of its drama group that became theNational Youth Theatre,and stayed for eight years. He trained at theRoyal Academy of Dramatic Artfrom 1961.[1]
Career
editWard made his professional stage debut with theNorthampton Repertoryin 1963, and his London theatrical debut one year later inThe 4th of June.He worked inrepertoryinNorthampton,BirminghamandOxfordand occasionally inLondon's West End.[citation needed]
His big break in theatre came in 1966 when he played Dennis inJoe Orton'sLoot,[2]which led to a number of small film and television roles. All of Ward's major film roles were in the 1970s.[citation needed]
His first film appearance was probably an uncredited role as one of thesociopathicstudents inLindsay Anderson'sIf....(1968).[2]He was primarily a stage actor when selected to play the title role inYoung Winstonin 1971, the role which brought him to national prominence. The in-demand Ward starred in several high-profile films during the remainder of the 1970s.[citation needed]
In 1973 he played theDuke of BuckinghaminRichard Lester'sThe Three Musketeersand in 1974 appeared in its sequelThe Four Musketeers.Also in 1974 he played author-veterinarianJames Herriotin the successful film adaptation ofAll Creatures Great and Small.He played one of the lead roles (Lt. Crawford) in the 1976World War IfilmAces High,then starred as Lt. William Vereker in the 1979 filmZulu Dawn.He was also seen as Captain Hoffmann, a fictionalNazifunctionary, inHitler: The Last Ten Days(1973). Later film roles includedZor-ElinSupergirl(1984).[2]
In 1986, Ward starred in the title role ofRoss,the firstWest Endrevival ofTerence Rattigan's play since its original run in 1960. It toured the UK and, after a run at theRoyal Alexandra Theatre,Toronto,opened atThe Old Vic,featuringMarc Sindenas Dickinson, withDavid Langton,Roland Curram,Bruce MontagueandErnest Clarkin supporting roles.[citation needed]
Ward made few films after the 1970s, although he did have a major role in theRalph Fiennesversion ofWuthering Heights(1992), alongside his daughterSophie Ward.[citation needed]
In 1987 he sustained a serious head injury in a street attack, the circumstances of which were obscure.[5]He believed the attack, which left him with a broken skull that needed brain surgery, caused the chronic blood disorder,polycythaemiathat affected his career.[6]
In 1995, at very short notice, he took overStephen Fry's role in the playCell Mates,after Fry walked out of the play near the start of its run.[citation needed]
In 2001–07, he appeared as Sir Monty Everard in theBBCtelevision seriesJudge John Deed[5]and in 2007–10 as BishopStephen GardinerinThe Tudors.[2][5]
In 2010, Ward appeared in the title role in the British tour ofAlan Bennett's playThe Madness of George III.[citation needed]
Death
editHaving been afflicted with ill health in his later years, Ward died at the age of 70 on 20 July 2012 inTaunton,Somerset.[1]His body was buried on the East Side ofHighgate Cemeteryin London.[6]
A memorial service was held in his memory atSt Paul's Church,Covent Garden,London, on 9 July 2013.[1]
Personal life
editIn 1964, Ward married Alexandra Malcolm, whom he met while they were students atRADA.They had three daughters:Sophie,Claudia and Kitty.[7]
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1968 | if.... | Schoolboy | Uncredited |
1969 | I Start Counting | Conductor | |
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed | Karl Holst | ||
1971 | Quest for Love | Jeremy | |
1972 | Young Winston | Winston Churchill | |
1973 | Hitler: The Last Ten Days | Hauptmann Hoffmann | |
The Three Musketeers | Duke of Buckingham | ||
1974 | Bram Stoker's Dracula | Arthur | TV movie |
The Four Musketeers | Duke of Buckingham | ||
1975 | All Creatures Great and Small | James Herriot | TV movie |
Deadly Strangers | Stephen Slade | ||
Children of Rage | Yaakov | ||
Valley Forge | Major Andre | TV movie | |
1976 | Aces High | Lt. Crawford | |
1977 | The Standard | Herbert Menis | |
Holocaust 2000 | Angel Caine | ||
1978 | The Four Feathers | William Trench | TV movie |
1979 | Dominique | Tony Calvert | |
Zulu Dawn | Lt. Vereker | ||
The Last Giraffe | Jock Leslie-Melville | TV movie | |
La Sabina | Philip | ||
1980 | The Rear Column | Ward | TV movie |
1981 | The Monster Club | George | (segment "Shadmock Story" ) |
1983 | Manpower | Narrator | Short |
1984 | Supergirl | Zor-El | |
1985 | The Corsican Brothers | Chateau-Renaud | TV movie |
Leave All Fair | John Jeune (Young John) | ||
1986 | L'étincelle | Mike | |
1992 | Double X: The Name of the Game | Edward Ross | |
Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights | Mr Linton | ||
1995 | Nightshade | Peter Brady | |
2000 | Atrapa-la | Doug | TV movie |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1964 | Festival | Stephen | 1 episode |
Theatre 625 | Dick Jervis | Episode: "Carried by Storm" | |
1965 | Thursday Theatre | Tom Cherry | Episode: "The Flowering Cherry" |
1965–1966 | The World of Wooster | Eustace | 2 episodes |
1966 | Thirteen Against Fate | Alain Malou | Episode: "The Son" |
1966–1968 | The Wednesday Play | Donald Clenham / John Hardie | 2 episodes |
1967–1968 | Jackanory | Storyteller | 6 episodes |
1970 | The Misfit | Ted Allenby-Johnson | 2 episodes |
The Black Tulip | Cornelius Van Bearle | TV mini-series, 6 episodes | |
Roads to Freedom | Philippe | 3 episodes | |
1972 | No Exit | Mark Gray | Episode: "A Man's Fair Share of Days" |
Cinema: A Documentary | Himself | ||
1973 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Various roles | |
Orson Welles Great Mysteries | Stephen Barrow | Episode: "The Leather Funnel" | |
1975 | BBC2 Playhouse | Saunders | Episode: "The Breakthrough" |
1976 | Call My Bluff | Himself | |
1980 | The Rear Column | Herbert Ward | TV movie |
1981 | Diamonds | Bernard de Haan | 13 episodes |
1982 | An Inspector Calls | Gerald Croft | TV mini-series, 3 episodes |
1984 | Allô Béatrice | Archibald | Episode:Agnes et ses papas |
Supergirl: The Making of the Movie | Himself | ||
1988 | A Taste for Death | Stephen Lampart | 5 episodes |
1989 | Around the World in 80 Days | Flannigan | TV mini-series, 3 episodes |
1992 | Lovejoy | Edward Brooksby | 2 episodes |
1994 | Kurtulus | Winston Churchill | TV mini-series |
1995 | Ruth Rendell Mysteries | Will Harvey | 2 episodes |
1996 | Challenge | Narrator | |
1999 | Real Women II | Samuelson | |
2003–2007 | Judge John Deed | Sir Monty Everard | 20 episodes |
2005 | Family Affairs | Mr. Lee | 3 episodes |
2006 | Heartbeat | Maxwell Hamilton | Episode: "Kith and Kin" |
2009–2010 | The Tudors | Bishop Gardiner | 17 episodes, (final appearance) |
References
edit- ^abcd"Ward, Simon Anthony Fox (1941–2012)".Oxford Dictionary of National Biography(online ed.). Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/105356.(Subscription orUK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^abcdefHayward, Anthony (23 July 2012)."Simon Ward obituary".The Guardian.
- ^Vallance, Tom (23 July 2012)."Simon Ward: Dashing actor who made his name playing the young Winston Churchill".The Independent.Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^"Simon Ward Biography (1941-)".www.filmreference.com.
- ^abc"The Tudors actor Simon Ward dies after long illness".BBC News.22 July 2012.Retrieved22 July2012.
- ^ab"Actor Simon Ward dies aged 70 after long illness".The Daily Telegraph.22 July 2012.Retrieved22 July2012.
- ^"Michael McIntyre speaks of his devastation at the death of his dad".Daily Mirror.24 April 2011.
External links
edit- Simon WardatIMDb
- Simon Wardat Aveleyman
- Simon WardatBFI