Biography
Michael Creighton Balfour (11 February 1918 – 24 October 1997) was an English actor, working mainly in British films and TV, following his TV debut in the BBC's The Marvellous History of St Bernard, in 1938. He was a recognisable face, often in small character parts and supporting roles, in nearly two hundred films and TV shows, from the 1940s to the 1990s, often playing comical heavies or otherwise shady characters notable for their "loud" clothes, sometimes convincingly cast as an American. He worked for a roll call of film directors, including Tony Richardson, Pete Walker, Billy Wilder, Lewis Gilbert, Roman Polanski, Leslie Norman, Tim Burton, John Frankenheimer, François Truffaut, John Gilling, Stanley Donen, Ken Annakin, Cavalcanti, Lance Comfort, Terence Young, Gerald Thomas, Pasolini, John Paddy Carstairs, Terence Fisher, Val Guest, Frank Launder, John Huston, Basil Dearden and Howard Hawks. Balfour had parts in many popular TV shows of the era including Educated Evans, Mess Mates, Danger Man, The Avengers, Hancock's Half Hour, Dixon of Dock Green, Rogue's Gallery, Z-Cars, The Onedin Line, and the detective drama The Vise, playing Saber's assistant Barney O'Keefe. Balfour was also known as the passenger in a Jaguar XK120 car driven by actor Bonar Colleano when it crashed, killing Colleano. Balfour's injuries required him to have 98 stitches, but he was released from hospital in time to attend Colleano's funeral. As his screen career began to slow down in the late 1970s, Michael Balfour went on tour with European circuses, as a clown. He founded Circus Hazzard, and created his own clown character. His son later became a circus manager. As well as performing, Balfour was a dedicated painter and sculptor, and in later years turned increasingly to sculpture and the arts, even running his own gallery for a while. For his subjects, he frequently drew on his own family career as a circus clown
Acted in 107
1990s
- 1992
Revenge of Billy the Kid
Gyles MacDonald
- 1990
The Krays
Referee
1980s
- 1989
- 1987
Casanova
Movie
- 1985
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
The Stick Up
Sam
Joseph Andrews
Ruffian
- 1972
All Coppers Are...
Heart Attack Victim (uncredited)
- 1971
Macbeth
First Murderer
- 1970
Man of Violence
Cafe Owner
The Adventurers
Detective
1960s
- 1969
The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder
Albert · 1 episode
- 1968
Cold Comfort Farm
Earl P. Neck · 3 episodes
- 1967
Mickey Dunne
Porridge · 1 episode
- 1966
Press for Time
Sewerman
Kaleidoscope
Poker Player
- 1965
Strangler's Web
John Vichelski
- 1964
Five Have a Mystery to Solve
Emilio
Five Have a Mystery to Solve
Emilio · 6 episodes
- 1963
The Rescue Squad
Barrow-Boy
A Stitch in Time
Workman with Mallet (uncredited)
Echo of Diana
Newsagent
- 1962
The Fast Lady
Bandit
She Always Gets Their Man
Runkle
- 1961
The Monster of Highgate Ponds
Bert
- 1960
The Cheaters
Harry, Freddy · 1 episode
Surprise Package
Oscar
Carry On Constable
Matt
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
The Larkins
Sharkey · 1 episode
The Big Money
'Wilberforce'
The Steel Bayonet
Pte. Thomas
- 1957
Man from Tangier
Spade
- 1956
Breakaway
Barney
Armchair Theatre
Ward, Mr. Bollanger · 1 episode
- 1955
Secret Venture
Stevens
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
Stage Doorman
Strange Experiences
Man · 1 episode
The Reluctant Bride
Boxer
Barbados Quest
Barney Wilson
One Good Turn
Boxing Spectator (uncredited)
The Delavine Affair
Sammy
It's a Great Day
Charlie Mead's Mate
- 1954
Devil's Point
Bennett, short henchman
Delayed Action
Honey
Meet Mr. Callaghan
Coffee Stallkeeper
The Diamond Wizard
Hoxie
River Beat
Adams
Impulse
uncredited
- 1953
Small Town Story
Turner
3 Steps to the Gallows
Carter, boxing fan
Black 13
Joe
Albert R.N.
Hank
Love in Pawn
Alaric
Park Plaza 605
Ted Birston
The Red Beret
American Sergeant
Recoil
Parkes
Johnny on the Run
Movie
Genevieve
Trumpeter (Uncredited)
The Steel Key
'The Mae McCleod' Captain
- 1952
Top Secret
Jersey Sailor
13 East Street
Joey Long
- 1951
A Case For P.C. 49
Chubby Price
The Quiet Woman
Lefty Brown
- 1950
Her Favourite Husband
Pete
Prelude to Fame
Lucio
1940s
- 1949
I Was a Male War Bride
Male Billet Sergeant (uncredited)
Helter Skelter
Barman (uncredited)
Don't Ever Leave Me
Jim Kennedy
Stop Press Girl
Crook (uncredited)
- 1948
William Comes to Town
Stall-holder
The Small Voice
Frankie
Woman Hater
Reporter (uncredited)
Sleeping Car to Trieste
Spiegel
No Orchids for Miss Blandish
Barney
- 1947
Just William's Luck
Tonks
