Edward Woodward

British actor (1930–2009)

Edward Albert Arthur Woodward OBE (1 June 1930 – 16 November 2009) was a British actor. He was born in Croydon, London. His parents were working class. His television roles included the title characters in Callan (for which he won a BAFTA Award) and The Equalizer (for which he won a Golden Globe Award). His movie roles include Sergeant Howie in The Wicker Man. He also acted on stage.

Edward Woodward
Woodward in 1971
Born
Edward Albert Arthur Woodward

(1930-06-01)1 June 1930
Died16 November 2009(2009-11-16) (aged 79)
Truro, Cornwall, England
Cause of deathPneumonia
Resting placePadstow Cemetery, Cornwall
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1955–2009
Spouse(s)Venetia Barrett
(m. 1952–1986, divorced)
Michele Dotrice
(m. 1987–2009, his death)
ChildrenTim, Peter, Sarah, Emily

Personal life change

Woodward married actress Venetia Barrett in 1952. The couple had three children, all of whom are actors. Their sons are Tim Woodward (born 1953) and Peter Woodward (born 1956). Their daughter is Sarah Woodward (born 1963). Woodward left Barrett for actress Michele Dotrice (born 1948). The couple had a daughter, Emily Beth Woodward (born 1983). Woodward and Barrett divorced in 1986. He was married to Dotrice from 1987 until his death in Treliske, Truro, Cornwall.

Death change

Edward Woodward died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on 16 November 2009 at the age of 79. He lived in Hawker's Cove, Cornwall, near Padstow. He had various illnesses, including pneumonia.[1][2]

He is survived by his wife, Michele Dotrice and their daughter, and the three children of his first marriage.[3]

Recording artist change

His ability as tenor let him record twelve albums of romantic songs, as well as three albums of poetry and fourteen books to tape. His vocal ability and acting skill let him make a number of appearances when time allowed on the BBC's Edwardian era music hall programme, The Good Old Days.[4][5]

Awards change

In 1969 and 1970, he was Television Actor of the Year, and Best Actor at the Sun Awards in 1970, 1971 and 1972. Woodward won the 1970 BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his title role in Callan. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1978. At the 1987 Golden Globe Awards, he won Best Actor in a Dramatic TV Series for his role of Robert McCall in The Equalizer. At the Emmy Award from 1986 to 1990, he was nominated each year for The Equalizer.

Filmography change

Stage change

  • 1955 - Where There's a Will
  • 1958 - Romeo and Juliet
  • 1958 - Hamlet
  • 1962 - Rattle of a Simple Man
  • 1968 - Two Cities
  • 1971 - Cyrano de Bergerac
  • 1971 - The White Devil
  • 1973 - The Wolf
  • 1975 - Male of the Species
  • 1976 - On Approval
  • 1978 - The Dark Horse
  • 1980 - The Beggar's Opera (also as director)
  • 1980 - Private Lives
  • 1982 - The Assassin
  • 1982 - Richard III
  • 1992 - The Dead Secret

Movies change

Television series change

Made-for-TV movies change

  • 1983 - Merlin and the Sword (U.S. title, Arthur the King)
  • 1983 - Love is Forever
  • 1984 - A Christmas Carol
  • 1986 - Uncle Tom's Cabin
  • 1988 - The Man in the Brown Suit
  • 1990 - Hands of a Murderer
  • 1995 - The Shamrock Conspiracy

Television specials change

  • 1969 - Omnibus: Scott Fitzgerald
  • 1970 - Bit of a Holiday
  • 1971 - Evelyn
  • 1979 - Rod of Iron
  • 1980 - The Trial of Lady Chatterley
  • 1980 - Blunt Instrument
  • 1981 - Wet Job
  • 1986 - The Spice of Life
  • 1988 - Hunted
  • 1990 - Hands of a Murderer, or The Napoleon of Crime
  • 1991 - In My Defence
  • 1994 - Harrison
  • 1995 - Cry of the City
  • 1995 - Gulliver's Travels

References change

  1. Equalizer Star Dies
  2. "Actor Edward Woodward dies at 79". BBC. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  3. Barker, Dennis (16 November 2009). "Edward Woodward obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  4. Edward Woodward :They Didn't Believe Me
  5. Edward Woodward :Soldiers Of The Queen

Other websites change