Occupation Actor Years active 1957–present | Name Keith Baxter Role Theatre actor | |
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Movies Chimes at Midnight, The Regent's Wife, Berlin Blues, Hollywood Mavericks Similar People Norman Rodway, Beatrice Welles, Christopher Welles Feder, Margaret Rutherford, Orson Welles | ||
Keith baxter on chimes at midnight bfi
Keith Baxter (born 29 April 1933) is a Welsh theatre, film and television actor.
Contents
- Keith baxter on chimes at midnight bfi
- Keith baxter on chimes at midnight
- Early years RADA
- Films
- Broadway
- Directing
- Cleopatra
- Television work
- Other work
- Theatre awards
- References
Keith baxter on chimes at midnight
Early years & RADA
Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, in 1933, he was christened Keith Baxter-Wright, the son of a Merchant Navy sea captain, and lived for a time in Romilly Road, Barry, Glamorgan. He was educated at Newport High School and Barry Grammar School. His early introduction to the stage was from his interest in making model theatres and stage scenery. He studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, during which period he shared a flat with classmate Alan Bates. He made his film debut in the 1957 remake of The Barretts of Wimpole Street and appeared uncredited as a detective in the British horror classic Peeping Tom (1960).
Films
In 1960, Orson Welles selected Baxter to portray Prince Hal in his stage production Chimes at Midnight, which combined portions of the Shakespearean plays Henry IV, Part I, Henry IV, Part II, Henry V, Richard II, and The Merry Wives of Windsor and brought the comic figure of Falstaff to the forefront of a primarily tragic tale. Baxter repeated his performance in the 1965 film version. Additional film credits include Ash Wednesday (1973), Golden Rendezvous (1977), and Killing Time (1998).
Broadway
In 1961, Baxter made his Broadway debut as King Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons. Other New York City stage credits include The Affair (1962), Avanti! (1968), Sleuth (1970), Romantic Comedy (1980), and The Woman in Black (2001).
Directing
Baxter has regularly directed shows at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington D.C., including:
Cleopatra
Baxter was signed for the role of Octavian "Augustus" Caesar opposite Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra in the 1963 film of the same name. Taylor's bout of pneumonia soon after filming began temporarily shut down filming. By the time she recovered, Baxter had other commitments and Roddy McDowall assumed the role. Baxter eventually co-starred with Taylor in the film Ash Wednesday (1973).
Television work
Baxter's television work includes appearances in Gideon's Way, The Avengers, Hawaii Five-O, and the mini-series Merlin.
Other work
Baxter is the author of My Sentiments Exactly, memoirs. He has written several plays including: 56 Duncan Terrace, Cavell, and Barnaby and the Old Boys.
In 1971 he recorded an LP of several of the short stories of Saki for Caedmon Records under the title Reginald On House-Parties, and Other Stories.
He is an Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art