Robert Hardy

Actor · 1925–2017 · Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK

Biography

One of England's most successful and enduring character actors, with a prolific screen career on television and in films, Robert Hardy was acclaimed for his versatility and the depth of his performances. Born in Cheltenham in 1925, he studied at Oxford University and, in 1949, he joined the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon. Television viewers most fondly remember him as the overbearing Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small (1978) but his most critically acclaimed performance was as the title character of Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981). His portrayal of Britain's wartime leader was so accurately observed that, in the following years, he was called on to reprise the role in such productions as The Woman He Loved (1988) and War and Remembrance (1988). Unlike some British character actors, Hardy was not a Hollywood name and his work in films was therefore restricted to appearances in predominantly British-based productions such as The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) and Sense and Sensibility (1995). However, in the 21st century, Hardy came to the attention of a whole new generation for his performances in the hugely successful Harry Potter films, while also continuing to make regular appearances in British television series. His co-star from All Creatures Great and Small (1978), Peter Davison, quite simply described Hardy as an "extraordinary" actor who would "never do the same thing twice" when he was acting with him. He was awarded the CBE for services to acting. He died in August 2017.

Acted in 125

2010s

2015
Joseph's Reel
Old Joseph
Churchill: 100 Days That Saved Britain
Winston Churchill

2000s

2009
Margaret
Willie Whitelaw
Centenary: The BP Story
George Reynolds (voice)
2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Cornelius Fudge
75
Lewis
Sir Arnold Raeburn · 1 episode
80
2006
Goodbye Mr Snuggles
Mr. Stiles
Le Grand Charles
Franklin D. Roosevelt · 2 episodes
2005
Lassie
Judge Murray
75
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Cornelius Fudge
80
2004
Agatha Christie's Marple
Winston Churchill · 1 episode
79
Making Waves
Father Parry
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Cornelius Fudge
82
2003
Death in Holy Orders
Father Martin Petrie · 2 episodes
Lucky Jim
Professor Neddy Welch
The Gathering
Bishop
56
2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Cornelius Fudge
74
Foyle's War
Henry Beaumont · 1 episode
84
Bertie and Elizabeth
President Roosevelt
Thunderpants
Doctor
45
Spooks
Sir John Barry · 1 episode
81
The Falklands Play
Sir Anthony Parsons
Shackleton
Sir James Caird · 1 episode
81
2001
The Lost World
Prof. Illingworth
66
The Lost World
Professor Illingworth · 2 episodes
2000
The 10th Kingdom
Chancellor Griswold · 5 episodes
80

1990s

1999
The Tichborne Claimant
Lord Rivers
An Ideal Husband
Lord Caversham
Nancherrow
TV
Nancherrow
Viscount Berryan
1998
The Barber of Siberia
Forsten
59
1997
Mrs. Dalloway
Sir William Bradshaw
Midsomer Murders
Robert Cavendish · 1 episode
78
1996
Testament: The Bible in Animation
Abraham (voice) · 1 episode
Gulliver's Travels
Dr. Parnell · 2 episodes
70
1995
Sense and Sensibility
Sir John Middleton
82
Bramwell
Sir Herbert Hamilton, Sir Herbert Hamilton · 1 episode
1994
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Prof. Krempe
56
A Feast at Midnight
Headmaster
Middlemarch
Arthur Brooke · 6 episodes
76
1992
The Master Blackmailer
Charles Augustus Milverton

1980s

1989
Bomber Harris
Winston Churchill
Paris by Night
Adam Gillvray
1988
Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday Affair
Dr. Price
War and Remembrance
Winston Churchill · 12 episodes
82
The Woman He Loved
Winston Churchill
1987
Blat
Sidney Tolland
The Death of the Heart
Major Brutt
Northanger Abbey
General Tilney
57
Inspector Morse
Andrew Baydon · 1 episode
81
Make and Break
John Garrard
1986
Paying Guests (Part 2)
Colonel Chase
Paying Guests (Part 1)
Colonel Chase
ScreenPlay
Colonel Chase · 2 episodes
The Demon Lover
William Drover
Hot Metal
Twiggy Rathbone / Russell Spam · 13 episodes
1985
Jenny's War
Klein
Theatre Night
John Garrard · 1 episode
Jenny's War
Klein · 4 episodes
The Shooting Party
Bob, Lord Lilburn
Screen Two
General Tilney · 1 episode
1984
The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood
King Richard
Sherlock Holmes
Charles Augustus Milverton · 1 episode
86
The Far Pavilions
The Commandant · 3 episodes
James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate
Lord Bob Lilburn (archive footage) (uncredited)
1983
Shades of Darkness
William Drover · 1 episode
The Cleopatras
Julius Caesar · 3 episodes
1982
Countdown
TV · 94 Seasons · Reality TV
61
1981
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years
Winston Churchill · 8 episodes
Fothergill
John Fothergill
1980
Twelfth Night
Sir Toby Belch