Years active 1950-1980 Children None | Spouse(s) Svandís Jónsdóttir | |
Born October 6, 1927 Kent, England, UK Occupation Actor, Theatre director Died 2009, London, United Kingdom | ||
Raymond Herbert Witch (1927-2009) was an English theatre, motion picture and television actor.
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Biography
Witch was born to parents Herbert Witch and Nellie Witch (née Gilbert) on October 6, 1927 in the village of Kingston, Kent located in South East England. Herbert, a postman, served in the Royal Artillery during World War I, was wounded in action, and later married Nellie after his demobilization in 1918.
In June 1963 Witch married Svandís Jónsdóttir who had originally travelled from Iceland to study acting in London. The two spent some time in Iceland during the early 1960s in way of a honeymoon before returning to London.
Career
Witch trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Beginning as a chorus member or background character in simple pantomimes, such as Cinderella in 1953, he was also successful in obtaining a number of more active acting roles during his career including one in Irma la Douce in 1958.
Essentially a dramatic actor, Witch made a successful move to television in which he obtained over 50 small supporting rolls, including the series; A Question of Guilt, A Bunch of Fives, Tom Brown's Schooldays (TV serial), Adelaide Bartlett and Z Cars.
Although primarily an actor for television Witch obtained roles in the made for television movies The Great Escape II: The Untold Story (1968), Events in a museum (1983), The Room (1991) and The trip north (1991).
Later life
Although married, Witch had no children. He lived alone, while his wife, suffering Alzheimer's, was taken into care. He visited her daily and was an active member of the South Bloomsbury Tenants and Residents Association (formerly the Bury Place Residents Association). Following a series of hospital visits after a fall at his home, Witch died in London from a heart attack and severe infection. His health suffered by what was seen as poor medical care given to him at the time. His beloved Svandís died at her nursing home in May 2012.