Occupation Actor Role Actor Years active 1961–1999 | Religion Roman Catholic Name Michael Williams Children Finty Williams | |
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Died January 11, 2001, Hampstead, United Kingdom Movies and TV shows Similar People Judi Dench, Finty Williams, Lewis Gilbert, Adam Goldberg, Errol Morris | ||
Michael Leonard Williams, (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was an English actor who played both classical and comedy roles. He was the husband of actress Dame Judi Dench.
Contents
- Michael williams dame judi dench
- Early life and career
- Personal life
- Stage appearances
- Filmography
- References
Michael williams dame judi dench
Early life and career
Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, he attended St. Edward's College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre.
His first film appearance was in 1962, and he subsequently appeared frequently on television (notably in Elizabeth R), and in British films such as Educating Rita (1983) and (along with Dench) Henry V (1989). In the latter, in perhaps an irresistible casting decision, he played his namesake, the Shakespearean character named Michael Williams. In 1967, he played in Peter Whitehead's documentary Benefit of the Doubt on Peter Brook's anti-Vietnam play "US", along with Peter Brook and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His many radio roles included crime reporter George Cragge in In the Red and its sequels, and Dr. Watson in the BBC's complete run of Sherlock Holmes adaptations.
Williams provided voices for the Woodland Animations BBC Television series Charlie Chalk, created by Ivor Wood.
Personal life
He married Judi Dench on 5 February 1971, in the same year that they co-starred in a stage production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter, Tara Cressida Williams (b. 1972), known as Finty Williams, who is also an actress. Finty is a single parent to a son, Sam Williams (b. 6 June 1997)
Williams chaired the British Catholic Stage Guild for a number of years before he was incapacitated by illness.
He was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.
Williams served as an enthusiastic supporter of the project to build the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, USA. A plaque commemorating Williams' contributions hangs in the completed playhouse.
Shortly before his death from lung cancer at the age of 65, Williams was appointed a Knight of St Gregory (KSG) by Pope John Paul II for his contribution to Catholic life in Britain. The honour was officially bestowed upon him at home on 10 January 2001. He died the next day.
Stage appearances
Principal stage appearances; mostly with the Royal Shakespeare Company:
Also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Theatre-Go-Round Festival, Round House Theatre, London, 1970.
Filmography
Actor
1999
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (TV Mini Series) as
Father Daley
- Episode #1.2 (1999) - Father Daley
- Episode #1.1 (1999) - Father Daley
1999
M.U.G.E.N (Video Game)
1999
Tea with Mussolini as
British Consul
1997
The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge (TV Series) as
Mr. Apple
- The Secret Staircase (1998) - Mr. Apple (voice)
- Spring Story (1997) - Mr. Apple (voice)
1997
A Dance to the Music of Time (TV Mini Series) as
Ted Jeavons
- The War (1997) - Ted Jeavons
- The Thirties (1997) - Ted Jeavons
1997
Bodyguards (TV Series) as
Maurice Boyd
- Stand Off (1997) - Maurice Boyd
1996
Kavanagh QC (TV Series) as
DCI Knowland
- True Commitment (1996) - DCI Knowland
1993
September Song (TV Series) as
Billy Balsam
1993
Conjugal Rites (TV Series) as
Barry Masefield
- Decisions, Decisions (1994) - Barry Masefield
- The Way of All Flesh (1994) - Barry Masefield
- Anyone for Scrabble? (1994) - Barry Masefield
- When I'm 64 (1994) - Barry Masefield
- Double or Nothing? (1994) - Barry Masefield
- There's a Lot of It About (1994) - Barry Masefield
- Happy Returns? (1994) - Barry Masefield
- Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (1993) - Barry Masefield
- The Birthday Boy (1993) - Barry Masefield
- Partners (1993) - Barry Masefield
- Ill Feelings (1993) - Barry Masefield
- Bedtime Story (1993) - Barry Masefield
- Twenty One Today (1993) - Barry Masefield
1992
The Torch (TV Mini Series) as
Sage
- The End of the World (1992) - Sage
- The Raft (1992) - Sage
- The Poseidon (1992) - Sage
- The Nikathlon (1992) - Sage
- The Guardian (1992) - Sage
1990
Screen One (TV Series) as
Kevin
- Can You Hear Me Thinking? (1990) - Kevin
1970
Jackanory (TV Series) as
Storyteller
- How's Business: Part 5 (1990) - Storyteller
- How's Business: Part 4 (1990) - Storyteller
- How's Business: Part 3 (1990) - Storyteller
- How's Business: Part 2 (1990) - Storyteller
- How's Business: Part 1 (1990) - Storyteller
- Island Stories: The Vanishing Island (1970) - Storyteller
- Island Stories: Anglesey - Caradoc and the Fairies (1970) - Storyteller
- Island Stories: Redbeard and His Pirates (1970) - Storyteller
- Island Stories: St Michaels Mount - The Giant Who Ate Too Much (1970) - Storyteller
- Island Stories: Iain and the Blue-Caps (1970) - Storyteller
1989
Happy Christmas - I Love You (TV Movie) as
Bruce Naylor
1989
Henry V as
Williams
1988
Charlie Chalk (TV Series) as
Charlie Chalk / Trader Jones / Lewis T. Duck / ...
- Goodbye Hello (1989) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones / - (voice)
- Return of the Litter (1989) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones / - (voice)
- Bert's Boring Day (1989) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- Mildred's Day Off (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T .Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- There Are No Roads on Merrytwit (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- The Feast (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- Edward Keeps Fit (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- The Mountain that Moaned (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- Jumping Bananas (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones / - (voice)
- The Sneezes (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- Coconut Harvest (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- Arnold's Night Out (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
- Shipwrecked Charlie (1988) - Charlie Chalk / Lewis T. Duck / Trader Jones (voice)
1987
Screen Two (TV Series) as
Tommy / Goronwy Rees
- Angel Voices (1989) - Tommy
- Blunt (1987) - Goronwy Rees
1988
Double First (TV Series) as
N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.7 (1988) - N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.6 (1988) - N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.5 (1988) - N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.4 (1988) - N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.3 (1988) - N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.2 (1988) - N. V. Standish
- Episode #1.1 (1988) - N. V. Standish
1981
A Fine Romance (TV Series) as
Mike
- Happy Ever After? (1984) - Mike
- A Romantic Meal (1984) - Mike
- Problems (1984) - Mike
- A Weekend Away (1984) - Mike
- Mike's New Girlfriend (1984) - Mike
- In Hiding (1984) - Mike
- The Telephone Call (1984) - Mike
- Extreme Measures (1983) - Mike
- Parenthood (1983) - Mike
- Business Problems (1983) - Mike
- The Dinner Party (1983) - Mike
- The Hotel (1983) - Mike
- Missing (1983) - Mike
- Furniture (1982) - Mike
- Boulogne (1982) - Mike
- The New Secretary (1982) - Mike
- Was That a Proposal? (1982) - Mike
- A Trip to the Dentist (1982) - Mike
- A Helping Hand (1982) - Mike
- Playing Games (1981) - Mike
- Keep Them Apart (1981) - Mike
- How to Avoid Bankruptcy (1981) - Mike
- Unlucky in Love (1981) - Mike
- The Restaurant (1981) - Mike
- Different Answers (1981) - Mike
- First Meeting (1981) - Mike
1983
Educating Rita as
Brian
1982
Enigma as
Hirsch, Limmer's Assistant
1981
Prisoners of Conscience (TV Series) as
Vladimir Bukovsky
- Vladimir Bukovsky (1981) - Vladimir Bukovsky
1981
The Search for Alexander the Great (TV Mini Series) as
Aristotle
- Lord of Asia (1981) - Aristotle
- The Last March (1981) - Aristotle
- The Young Conqueror (1981) - Aristotle
- The Young Lion (1981) - Aristotle
1981
The White Shadow (TV Series) as
Stan
- B.M.O.C. (1981) - Stan
1980
Love in a Cold Climate (TV Mini Series) as
Davey Warbeck
- In Love and War (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- Monsieur Le Duc (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- Foreigners Are Fiends (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- Heir Apparent (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- The Merry Widower (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- Rings and Things (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- Coming Out (1980) - Davey Warbeck
- Child Hunt (1980) - Davey Warbeck
1979
Quest of Eagles (TV Series) as
Etherington
- Decision (1979) - Etherington
- Chase (1979) - Etherington
- Memories (1979) - Etherington
- Enigma (1979) - Etherington
- Treasure (1979) - Etherington
- Secret Service (1979) - Etherington
- Sailor (1979) - Etherington
1979
Turtle's Progress (TV Series) as
William Nesbitt
- Episode #1.5 (1979) - William Nesbitt
1979
My Son, My Son (TV Mini Series) as
William Essex
- Episode #1.8 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.7 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.6 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.5 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.4 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.3 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.2 (1979) - William Essex
- Episode #1.1 (1979) - William Essex
1978
Cooper, Just Like That (TV Series)
- Show Two (1978) - (as Mike Williams)
1978
BBC2 Play of the Week (TV Series) as
Paul
- Ice Age (1978) - Paul
1978
The Comedy of Errors (TV Movie) as
Dromio of Syracuse
1978
Martine (TV Series)
- Episode #3.1 (1978)
1977
Out of the Past (TV Series)
- Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 3: The Castle Builders (1977)
- Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 2: When the wind changed (1977)
- Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1: A King for England (1977)
1977
The Paper Lads (TV Series) as
Tom Sharp
- Enter Picasso (1977) - Tom Sharp
1975
The Hanged Man (TV Mini Series) as
Alan Crowe
- Ring of Return (1975) - Alan Crowe
- Laws of Fortune (1975) - Alan Crowe
- Grail and Platter (1975) - Alan Crowe
- The Bridge Maker (1975) - Alan Crowe
- Chariot of Earth (1975) - Alan Crowe
- Knave of Coins (1975) - Alan Crowe
- Tower of Destruction (1975) - Alan Crowe
- Wheel of Fortune (1975) - Alan Crowe
1974
Dead Cert as
Sandy Mason
1974
A Raging Calm (TV Mini Series) as
Philip Hart
- A Vote for Progress (1974) - Philip Hart
- Missing Persons (1974) - Philip Hart
- The Banner of Loyalty (1974) - Philip Hart
- A Time to Judge (1974) - Philip Hart
- A Friend of the Family (1974) - Philip Hart
- A Guarantee of Happiness (1974) - Philip Hart
- Next of Kin (1974) - Philip Hart
1973
A Picture of Katherine Mansfield (TV Series) as
D. H. Lawrence
- Episode #1.4 (1973) - D. H. Lawrence
- Episode #1.3 (1973) - D. H. Lawrence
1972
Eagle in a Cage as
Dr. O'Meara
1971
Elizabeth R (TV Mini Series) as
Duke of Alençon
- Shadow in the Sun (1971) - Duke of Alençon
1970
A Family at War (TV Series) as
Eddie Chappell
- For Strategic Reasons (1970) - Eddie Chappell
1969
Seven Crystal Balls and the Prisoners of the Sun as
Tintin (voice, uncredited)
1969
Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) as
The Prisoner
- A Hot Day (1969) - The Prisoner
1967
Marat/Sade as
Herald
1965
Off Beat... (TV Mini Series)
- Episode #1.1 (1965)
1963
The Plane Makers (TV Series) as
Stephen Allsopp
- One of Those Days (1963) - Stephen Allsopp
1963
Moonstrike (TV Series) as
Beded
- Message Received (1963) - Beded
1963
ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) as
Charlie Vine
- A Builder by Trade (1963) - Charlie Vine
1963
ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) as
Alan Bailey
- The Buried Man (1963) - Alan Bailey
1962
BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) as
Evangelist
- House on Three Floors (1963)
- A Child in the House (1962) - Evangelist
1962
Armchair Theatre (TV Series) as
Paul
- Joker (1962) - Paul
1962
Z Cars (TV Series) as
Norbert Nuttall
- Full Remission (1962) - Norbert Nuttall
1962
Top Secret (TV Series) as
Pablo
- Maggie (1962) - Pablo
1962
The Trial of Joan of Arc as
Englishman (uncredited)
1962
Under Western Eyes (TV Movie) as
Ivan
1961
The Wakefield Shepherd's Play (Short) as
Third Shepherd
1961
Theatre Night (TV Series) as
Bernard Fuller, the bridegroom
- Celebration (1961) - Bernard Fuller, the bridegroom
1961
The Happiest Days of Your Life (TV Movie)
Writer
1998
America's Victoria: Remembering Victoria Woodhull (TV Movie documentary)
1984
Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show (TV Series)
Self
1996
Very Important Pennis: Uncut (Video) as
Self (uncredited)
1996
Very Important Pennis (TV Series) as
Self
- Very Important Pennis: Part 1 (1996) - Self (uncredited)
1996
GMTV (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 30 May 1996 (1996) - Self
1994
An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck (TV Special documentary) as
Self - Audience Member
1991
Auntie's Bloomers (TV Series documentary) as
Self / Acting Role
- Auntie's Bloomers (1991) - Self / Acting Role (uncredited)
1990
Live from the London Palladium: Happy Birthday, Happy New Year! (TV Special) as
Self
1988
An Audience with Victoria Wood (TV Special) as
Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
1988
An Audience with Peter Ustinov (TV Special) as
Self (uncredited)
1983
Children in Need (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.1 (1983) - Self
1982
Playing Shakespeare (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Self
- Rehearsing the Text (1982) - Self
- Language and Character (1982) - Self
- Using the Verse (1982) - Self
1981
On the Town (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode #2.1 (1981) - Self
1970
Doing Her Own Thing (TV Movie documentary)
1968
Tell Me Lies (Documentary) as
Guest
1967
The Benefit of the Doubt (Documentary) as
Self
Archive Footage
2018
Tea With the Dames (Documentary) as
Self / Mike (uncredited)
2017
Judi Dench: My Passion for Trees (TV Movie documentary) as
Self (uncredited)
2016
Let's Do It: A Tribute to Victoria Wood (TV Special documentary) as
Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
2011
The Many Faces of... (TV Series documentary) as
Mike
- Dame Judi Dench (2011) - Mike (uncredited)
2005
What Did ITV Do for Me? (TV Movie documentary) as
Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
2002
Judi Dench: A BAFTA Tribute (TV Special) as
Self
1998
Best of British (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Audience Member
- Victoria Wood (1998) - Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
1991
Auntie's Bloomers (TV Series documentary) as
Self
References
Michael Williams (actor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA