Nationality British Role Actor Occupation Actor TV shows Jesus of Nazareth | Years active 1952-1982 Ex-spouse Pauline Jones Name John Phillips | |
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Full Name William John Phillips Born 20 July 1914 ( 1914-07-20 ) Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Died May 11, 1995, Oswestry, United Kingdom Movies The Mummy's Shroud, Romanoff and Juliet, The Mouse on the Moon, Torture Garden, Quadrophenia Similar People Roy William Neill, Anthony Hinds, John Gilling, Budd Boetticher, Freddie Francis | ||
William John Phillips MC (20 July 1914 – 11 May 1995) was an English actor. He is best remembered for the role of Chief Superintendent Robins, in the television series Z-Cars and for his work as a Shakespearean stage actor.
Contents
Early life
Phillips was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire in 1914, and began his acting career at Birmingham Rep in the 1930s. During the Second World War, Phillips served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross.
Stage
His early theatre roles included the Ghost in the 1955 Peter Brook – Paul Scofield production of Hamlet at the Phoenix Theatre; the American Ambassador in Peter Ustinov's 1957 production of Romanoff and Juliet; and Prospero in the 1959 production of John Dryden and William Davenant's version of The Tempest, at the Old Vic. Phillips continued to work as a stage actor until his retirement in the 1980s.
Television
Phillips appeared in a number of television roles, which included: Danger Man (1962), Lieutenant Colonel John Whitley in Frontier (1968), Jack Frazer in The Onedin Line (1972–76), Grand Duke Nicholas in Fall of Eagles (1974), Josiah Wedgewood in Days of Hope (1975), Naso in Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and Dr Charles Langley-Beard in The Old Men at the Zoo (1983). His role as Chief Superintendent Robins (1962–78) in Z-Cars and Softly, Softly was perhaps his most memorable.
Death
Phillips died at Oswestry, Shropshire on 11 May 1995.
Filmography
Actor
1992
Leon the Pig Farmer as
Trevor
1991
Merlin of the Crystal Cave (TV Series) as
King Dafydd
- The Flight (1991) - King Dafydd
- The Cave (1991) - King Dafydd
1987
One by One (TV Series) as
Ben Friedhofer
- A Dying Breed (1987) - Ben Friedhofer
1985
TV Eye (TV Series) as
Committee Member
- What Price Trident? (1985) - Committee Member
1984
Strangers and Brothers (TV Series) as
Reggie Collingwood
- Episode #1.12 (1984) - Reggie Collingwood
- Episode #1.11 (1984) - Reggie Collingwood
1983
The Old Men at the Zoo (TV Series) as
Dr. Charles Langley-Beard
- Armageddon (1983) - Dr. Charles Langley-Beard
- Exodus (1983) - Dr. Charles Langley-Beard
- Godmanchester's Plan (1983) - Dr. Charles Langley-Beard
- A Tall Story (1983) - Dr. Charles Langley-Beard
1983
Ascendancy as
Wintour
1970
Play for Today (TV Series) as
Examining Judge / Rev. Howard Whithead - Anglican Vicar
- The Executioner (1980) - Examining Judge
- Our Day Out (1978)
- The Hallelujah Handshake (1970) - Rev. Howard Whithead - Anglican Vicar
1979
Quadrophenia as
Magistrate
1978
Lillie (TV Mini Series) as
W. E. Gladstone
- The Sailor Prince (1978) - W. E. Gladstone
1962
Z Cars (TV Series) as
Det. Chief Supt. Robins / Asst. Chief Constable Robins / Det. Chief Superintendent Robins / ...
- Pressure (1978) - Chief Constable Robins
- Officer Material-? (1973) - Asst. Chief Constable Robins
- None the Worse: Part 4 (1969) - Asst. Chief Constable Robins
- None the Worse: Part 3 (1969) - Asst. Chief Constable Robins
- They're Not Supposed to Do That - Are They?: Part 2 (1967) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- The Dark Side of the Road (1964) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- Cage Until Tame (1964) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- No Malice (1964) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- By the Book (1963) - Det. Chief Superintendent Robins
- Business Trip (1962) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- Day Trip (1962) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- Never on Wednesdays (1962) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- Friday Night (1962) - Det. Chief Supintendent Robins
- Stab in the Dark (1962) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- Four of a Kind (1962) - Det. Chief Superintendent Robins
1978
Mrs. Amworth (Short) as
Francis Urcombe
1978
Hazell (TV Series) as
Det. Supt. Bull
- Hazell and the Rubber-Heel Brigade (1978) - Det. Supt. Bull
1977
Three Dangerous Ladies as
Urcombe (segment "Mrs. Amworth")
1977
1990 (TV Series) as
Attorney General Graham
- Whatever Happened to Cardinal Wolsey? (1977) - Attorney General Graham
1977
Ripping Yarns (TV Series) as
Colonel Harcourt Badger Owen
- Escape from Stalag Luft 112 B (1977) - Colonel Harcourt Badger Owen
1977
Mr. Big (TV Series) as
Leopold Ruchworth
- Vote for Rocksburgh (1977) - Leopold Ruchworth
1977
Jesus of Nazareth (TV Mini Series) as
Naso
- Part 4 (1977) - Naso
- Part 1 (1977) - Naso
1972
The Onedin Line (TV Series) as
Jack Frazer / Jack - Frazer Senior / Mr. Frazer
- Not Wanted on Voyage (1976) - Jack Frazer
- A Cold Wind Blowing (1976) - Jack Frazer
- Loss of the Helen May (1976) - Jack Frazer
- The Passenger (1974) - Jack Frazer
- Amazon Cargo (1973) - Jack Frazer
- Echoes from Afar (1973) - Jack Frazer
- The Stranger (1973) - Jack Frazer
- The Ship Devils (1973) - Jack Frazer
- The Challenge (1972) - Jack Frazer (uncredited)
- Yellow Jack (1972) - Jack - Frazer Senior
- Winner Take All (1972) - Mr. Frazer
1976
The Flight of the Heron (TV Series) as
Cameron of Lochiel
- Episode #1.4 (1976) - Cameron of Lochiel
- Episode #1.2 (1976) - Cameron of Lochiel
- Episode #1.1 (1976) - Cameron of Lochiel
1975
Quiller (TV Series) as
Henry Tulliver
- The Thin Red Line (1975) - Henry Tulliver
1975
Days of Hope (TV Mini Series) as
Josiah Wedgwood
- 1924: A Miracle (1975) - Josiah Wedgwood
1975
Wodehouse Playhouse (TV Series) as
Sir Redvers Branksome
- A Voice from the Past (1975) - Sir Redvers Branksome
1975
The Revivalist (TV Movie) as
Henry Lloyd
1974
Father Brown (TV Series) as
Brander Merton
- The Arrow of Heaven (1974) - Brander Merton
1974
The Gathering Storm (TV Movie) as
Von Brondorff
1974
The Pallisers (TV Mini Series) as
Sir Gregory Grogram
- Part Nineteen (1974) - Sir Gregory Grogram
- Part Eighteen (1974) - Sir Gregory Grogram
1974
Fall of Eagles (TV Mini Series) as
Grand Duke Nicholas
- Tell the King the Sky Is Falling (1974) - Grand Duke Nicholas
1974
John Halifax, Gentleman (TV Mini Series) as
Abel Fletcher
- Episode #1.2 (1974) - Abel Fletcher
- Episode #1.1 (1974) - Abel Fletcher
1973
Wipers Three (TV Movie) as
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe
1973
Jane Eyre (TV Mini Series) as
Mr. Brocklehurst
- Part 1 (1973) - Mr. Brocklehurst
1970
Crime of Passion (TV Series) as
Maître Lacan
- Therese (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Cecile (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Baptiste (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Florence (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Felix (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Manon (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Emilie (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Paul (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Janine (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Jean-Paul (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Modeste (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Daniel (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Lina (1972) - Maître Lacan
- Magdalena (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Louis (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Roland (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Justine (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Olivier (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Celestina (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Camille (1971) - Maître Lacan
- Alain (1970) - Maître Lacan
- Nicole (1970) - Maître Lacan
- Pierre (1970) - Maître Lacan
- Celine (1970) - Maître Lacan
- Helene (1970) - Maître Lacan
- Catherine (1970) - Maître Lacan
1972
Man of Straw (TV Mini Series) as
Dr. Heuteufel
- A Loyal Subject (1972) - Dr. Heuteufel
- A Suitable Match (1972) - Dr. Heuteufel
- Imperial Justice (1972) - Dr. Heuteufel
- Upholders of Morality (1972) - Dr. Heuteufel
- Esprit De Corps (1972) - Dr. Heuteufel
1971
The Persuaders! (TV Series) as
Lanning Koestler
- Powerswitch (1971) - Lanning Koestler
1971
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series) as
Professor Dyne
- The Missing Q.C.s - Professor Dyne
1970
Horizon (TV Series documentary) as
Mr. Bidder
- The Gargantuan Triumph of Science (1970) - Mr. Bidder
1970
The Main Chance (TV Series) as
Arnold Bingley
- A Vision of the Future (1970) - Arnold Bingley
1970
The Black Tulip (TV Mini Series) as
Cornelius de Witt
- Episode #1.2 (1970) - Cornelius de Witt
- Episode #1.1 (1970) - Cornelius de Witt
1970
Confession (TV Series) as
Headmaster
- People Who Visit Glass Houses (1970) - Headmaster
1970
Doctor in the House (TV Series) as
Sir Hartley Maynard
- Finals (1970) - Sir Hartley Maynard
1970
Manhunt (TV Series) as
Klintzch
- Little Man, Big Gun: Part 2 (1970) - Klintzch
- Little Man, Big Gun: Part 1 (1970) - Klintzch
1969
Who-Dun-It (TV Series) as
Det. Insp. Hollis
- Death of a Cavalier (1969) - Det. Insp. Hollis
1969
Christ Recrucified (TV Mini Series) as
Pope Grigoris
- In Vain, My Christ, in Vain (1969) - Pope Grigoris
- The Savage Face of Christ (1969) - Pope Grigoris
- The Pope's Curse (1969) - Pope Grigoris
- The Rising Path (1969) - Pope Grigoris
- The Spirit and the Flesh (1969) - Pope Grigoris
- The Apostles (1969) - Pope Grigoris
1969
W. Somerset Maugham (TV Series) as
Commandant
- A Man with a Conscience (1969) - Commandant
1968
The Caesars (TV Mini Series) as
Piso
- Tiberius (1968) - Piso
1968
Frontier (TV Series) as
Lt-Col. Whitley / Lt. Col. Whitley
- The Whole Truth (1968) - Lt-Col. Whitley
- Duel of Honour (1968) - Lt. Col. Whitley
- Mutiny (1968) - Lt-Col. Whitley
- Outpost (1968) - Lt-Col. Whitley
- His Lordship (1968) - Lt-Col. Whitley
- A Little Before His Time (1968) - Lt-Col. Whitley
- Dasturi (1968) - Lt-Col. Whitley
- The Last of the Line (1968) - Lt. Col. Whitley
1965
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) as
Councillor Percival / Sir Gilbert Hardacre / Cardinal Runan / ...
- Mrs. Lawrence Will Look After It (1968) - Councillor Percival
- A Brilliant Future Behind Him (1967) - Sir Gilbert Hardacre
- A Breach in the Wall (1967) - Cardinal Runan
- Sir Jocelyn, the Minister Would Like a Word- (1965) - Forbes-Wainwright
1965
Theatre 625 (TV Series) as
Clifford Dyke / Alfred Truelove
- The Fall of Kelvin Walker (1968) - Clifford Dyke
- Portraits from the North: Bruno (1965) - Alfred Truelove
1968
Softly Softly (TV Series) as
Det. Chief Supt. Robins
- Unfinished Business (1968) - Det. Chief Supt. Robins
1968
The Gambler (TV Mini Series) as
The General
- Episode #1.2 (1968) - The General
- Episode #1.1 (1968) - The General
1967
Torture Garden as
Eddie Storm (segment 2 "Terror Over Hollywood")
1966
Dixon of Dock Green (TV Series) as
Magistrate / Mr. Parry
- Case No. 7 (1967) - Magistrate
- The Pact (1966) - Mr. Parry
1967
Out of Town Theatre (TV Mini Series) as
Sir Howard Price
- Interview (1967) - Sir Howard Price
1967
This Way for Murder (TV Mini Series) as
Barnton
- Episode #1.6 (1967) - Barnton
- Episode #1.5 (1967) - Barnton
1967
The Forsyte Saga (TV Series) as
Sir Alexander MacGown
- Swan Song (1967) - Sir Alexander MacGown
- The Silver Spoon (1967) - Sir Alexander MacGown
- Action for Libel (1967) - Sir Alexander MacGown
1967
Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) as
Mr. Tredgold
- Child Marlene (1967) - Mr. Tredgold
1967
The Mummy's Shroud as
Stanley Preston
1967
The Avengers (TV Series) as
Nesbitt
- The Hidden Tiger (1967) - Nesbitt
1967
Mr. Aitch (TV Series) as
Sir Caradoc
- Enemy Within (1967) - Sir Caradoc
1966
Mystery and Imagination (TV Series) as
Colonel Gaillarde
- The Flying Dragon (1966) - Colonel Gaillarde
1966
BBC Play of the Month (TV Series) as
Major General Atkins
- The Devil's Eggshell (1966) - Major General Atkins
1964
Sergeant Cork (TV Series) as
Colonel Haverlock / Big Ben Lewis
- The Case of the Notorious Nun (1966) - Colonel Haverlock
- The Case of Big Ben Lewis (1964) - Big Ben Lewis
1965
Secret Agent (TV Series) as
Dr. Brajanska
- Say It with Flowers (1965) - Dr. Brajanska
1965
Knock on Any Door (TV Series) as
Robert Prettyman
- The Knife (1965) - Robert Prettyman
1957
ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) as
John Anthony / Prime Minister / Simon Mortwill / ...
- Strife (1965) - John Anthony
- The Apple Cart (1962) - Prime Minister
- Break from Cover (1961) - Simon Mortwill
- House of Lies (1960) - Mr. Smith
- Night of January 16th (1960) - John Graham Whitfield
- The Killing of the King (1959) - Cromwell
- The Linden Tree (1958) - Professor Robert Linden
- Winterset (1958) - Judge Gaunt
- - And Humanity (1958) - General von Sauberzweig
- Arrow in the Air (1957) - Anthony Folland
- Morning's at Seven (1957) - David Crampton
- Boy Meets Girl (1957) - Mr. Friday
1965
Legend of Death (TV Series) as
Edward Gargan
- The Black Return (1965) - Edward Gargan
- The Moving Maze (1965) - Edward Gargan
- Journey Into Danger (1965) - Edward Gargan
- The Golden Intruder (1965) - Edward Gargan
1965
Joey Boy as
Insp. Morgan
1965
Alexander Graham Bell (TV Series) as
Professor Bell
- The Two-Way Test (1965) - Professor Bell
- The Birthday Party (1965) - Professor Bell
- Sound of the Spring (1965) - Professor Bell
- A Note in Music (1965) - Professor Bell
- Journey in the Air (1965) - Professor Bell
1964
Smuggler's Bay (TV Series) as
Elzevir Block
- On the Beach (1964) - Elzevir Block
- Found- and Lost Again (1964) - Elzevir Block
- A Reward of Fifty Pounds (1964) - Elzevir Block
- The Auction (1964) - Elzevir Block
- In the Vault (1964) - Elzevir Block
- A Death and a Discovery (1964) - Elzevir Block
1964
Rupert of Hentzau (TV Series) as
Colonel Zapt
- The Decision of Fate (1964) - Colonel Zapt
- A Perilous Reunion (1964) - Colonel Zapt
- The Wheel of Chance (1964) - Colonel Zapt
- Audience with the King (1964) - Colonel Zapt
- Return to Zenda (1964) - Colonel Zapt
- The Queen's Goodbye (1964) - Colonel Zapt
1964
Armchair Theatre (TV Series) as
George
- Cradle Song (1964) - George
1964
Becket as
Bishop of Winchester
1963
The Sentimental Agent (TV Series) as
Henry Peabody Sr.
- Meet My Son, Henry (1963) - Henry Peabody Sr.
1963
First Night (TV Series) as
Gideon Cobb
- The Road (1963) - Gideon Cobb
1963
The Mouse on the Moon as
Bracewell - U.S. Delegate
1962
Thirty Minute Theatre (TV Series)
- The Apple Cart (1962)
1962
We Joined the Navy as
Rear Admiral
1962
A Prize of Arms as
Col. Fowler
1962
Man of the World (TV Series) as
General Montreaux
- Death of a Conference (1962) - General Montreaux
1962
Saki (TV Mini Series) as
Duncan Dullamy
- Episode #1.7 (1962) - Duncan Dullamy
1961
BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) as
Trifonov / Prince Galitzin
- The Pretender (1962) - Prince Galitzin
- A Call on Kuprin: Part 2 (1961) - Trifonov
- A Call on Kuprin: Part 1 (1961) - Trifonov
1962
Drama 61-67 (TV Series) as
Major Spencer
- Drama '62: Teeth of Treason (1962) - Major Spencer
1962
The Hatchet Man (TV Movie) as
George Curnic, head of studio
1962
Suspense (TV Series) as
Luther Ross
- Course for Collision (1962) - Luther Ross
1962
Under Western Eyes (TV Movie) as
Ivanovich
1961
The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone as
Tom Stone
1961
One Step Beyond (TV Series) as
Frank
- Eyewitness (1961) - Frank
1961
The Devil Inside as
Chief Superintendent Gault
1961
Romanoff and Juliet as
Hooper Moulsworth
1960
Danger Man (TV Series) as
Coyannis / Paul
- The Deputy Coyannis Story (1961) - Coyannis
- Position of Trust (1960) - Paul
1960
ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) as
Captain Whalley
- The End of the Tether (1960) - Captain Whalley
1960
Man in the Moon as
Professor Stephens
1960
Follow That Horse! as
American Delegate (uncredited)
1960
Village of the Damned as
General Leighton
1960
Somerset Maugham Hour (TV Series) as
Norman Grange
- Flotsam and Jetsam (1960) - Norman Grange
1960
Saturday Playhouse (TV Series) as
Jeffrey Bellenger
- Conflict at Kalanadi (1960) - Jeffrey Bellenger
1959
Bleak House (TV Mini Series) as
Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.9 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.8 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.7 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.6 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.5 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.4 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- Episode #1.3 (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
- In Which We Touch Upon a Secret (1959) - Mr. Tulkinghorn
1955
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) as
Jacob Dillon / Colonel Davies / Escales / ...
- Whistling in the Dark (II) (1959) - Jacob Dillon
- Touch Wood (1958) - Colonel Davies
- Romeo and Juliet (1955) - Escales / Chorus
1958
Floods of Fear as
Dr. Matthews
1958
Dunkirk as
Boat Owner Spokesman (uncredited)
1958
Doomsday for Dyson (TV Movie) as
General Schalz
1958
I Accuse! as
Prosecutor - Esterhazy Trial
1958
Television World Theatre (TV Series) as
The Mayor / Count Peter Zichy
- The Government Inspector (1958) - The Mayor
- The Dark Is Light Enough (1958) - Count Peter Zichy
1957
The Shiralee as
Doctor
1957
She Played with Fire as
Willis Croft
1957
Theatre Night (TV Series) as
Hooper Moulsworth
- Romanoff and Juliet (1957) - Hooper Moulsworth
1957
The Adventures of Peter Simple (TV Series) as
Captain Savage, RN / Captain Savage RN
- Capture (1957) - Captain Savage, RN
- The Plot Against Peter (1957) - Captain Savage RN
1956
The Black Tulip (TV Series) as
John de Witte
- The Trial (1956) - John de Witte
- The Traitors (1956) - John de Witte
1956
The Count of Monte Cristo (TV Series) as
Major Du Valle
- A Matter of Justice (1956) - Major Du Valle
1956
Passport to Treason as
Police Driver (uncredited)
1956
Women Without Men as
Male Guard at Gate (uncredited)
1956
Lilli Palmer Theatre (TV Series) as
Plainclothes Officer
- The Old Man of the Air (1956) - Plainclothes Officer
1955
The Vise (TV Series) as
Philip Twyford
- Code Name: Murder (1955) - Philip Twyford (uncredited)
1955
Richard III as
Norfolk
1955
The Dark Avenger as
Second French Knight
1955
Noah Gives Thanks (TV Movie) as
Mr. Pebble, Vicar of Crockitt
1954
The Monkey's Paw (TV Movie) as
Sergeant-Major Morris
1952
Angels One Five as
Engineer Officer
1938
The Wooing of Anne Hathaway (TV Movie) as
Thomas Heming (of the Lord Leicester's Players)
Archive Footage
2017
Amicalement Votre, Hollywood au service de sa majesté (TV Movie documentary) as
Lanning Koestler
2012
The Beat Goes On: The Making of the Mummy's Shroud (Video documentary short) as
Stanley Preston
1974
Mission: Monte Carlo as
Koestler
References
John Phillips (actor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA