Hilary Minster

Life and career

Born in Surrey, England, he is perhaps best known for playing General Erich Von Klinkerhoffen in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! between 1984 and 1992. Other credits include Crossroads; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; and a semi-regular role in Secret Army as Hauptmann Muller. Minster also had a brief period writing scripts with Kenneth Williams for the latter's International Cabaret television show.

In 1974, Minster appeared as Lieutenant Lightfoot in the Upstairs, Downstairs episode "Facing Fearful Odds." He also appeared twice in Doctor Who, as the Thal soldier Marat in Planet of the Daleks (1973) and as an unnamed Thal soldier in Genesis of the Daleks (1975). This makes him one of the few Doctor Who actors to have played two characters from the same alien race. He also had a major part in another episode of a successful science fiction series playing Yagon in "Achilles Heel,' an episode of The Tomorrow People, in 1978.

His film appearances were scarce but include roles in A Bridge Too Far (1977), The Godsend (1980), Cry Freedom (1987) and The Girl in a Swing (1988).

He was a presenter and producer of Central Independent Television's flagship ethnic minorities current affairs programme Here and Now during the early 1980s.

Minster provided the narration for the controversial Central television documentary The Men Who Killed Kennedy, which outlined various theories concerning the assassination of the American president John F. Kennedy.

Death

Minster died from cancer in London on 24 November 1999. His body was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery. The epitaph on the gravestone reads:

The noblest of men. He brought laughter to a million hearts. Loving father to Leo, Quona, Jack and Lyall. Beloved partner to Nicola. So sorely missed. My wonder.

Confusion over date of birth

Sources differ as to the year of his birth. Dates given include 19 September 1939 and 21 March 1945. According to the BBC DVD Genesis of the Daleks, Hilary Minster was born in 1945. According to the births index, however, his birth was registered between April and June 1944.