Brian Bedford

For the English songwriter, see Brian Bedford (songwriter). For the Welsh footballer, see Brian Bedford (footballer).
Brian Bedford
Born (1935-02-16)16 February 1935
Morley, West Yorkshire, England, UK
Died 13 January 2016(2016-01-13) (aged 80)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Alma mater Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation Actor
Years active 1957–2016
Spouse(s) Tim MacDonald

Brian Bedford (16 February 1935 – 13 January 2016) was an English actor. He has appeared on the stage and in film, and is known for both acting in and directing Shakespeare productions. He received seven Tony nominations, the second most for a male actor behind Jason Robards, who has eight.

Early life

Bedford was born in Morley, West Yorkshire, the son of Ellen (née O'Donnell) and Arthur Bedford, a postman.[1] He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London from 1952-55.[2]

Career

Primarily a stage actor, he was known for his English-speaking interpretations of the French playwright Molière, including Tony Award nominated performances in Tartuffe, The Molière Comedies (a double bill of the short plays The School for Husbands and The Imaginary Cuckold) and The School for Wives, for which he received the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play.[3]

He did a great deal of Shakespearean work, notably as Ariel in The Tempest opposite John Gielgud's Prospero in 1958, Angelo in Measure for Measure at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 1975 and 1976, and The Public Theater's New York Shakespeare Festival Shakespeare in the Park productions of As You Like It (as Orlando), and Timon of Athens (as Timon), the latter based on a production he originated with the National Actors Theatre in 1993 and which he eventually played on Broadway. Bedford's additional Broadway credits include The Seven Descents of Myrtle, Private Lives, Two Shakespearean Actors, London Assurance and Jumpers.

Bedford appeared with James Garner in the 1966 film Grand Prix, and in 1967 he was a regular on the short-lived CBS series Coronet Blue. He provided the voice of Robin Hood in the 1973 Disney film of the same name. In 1997 Bedford was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. Other honours include the Obie Award, the Outer Circle Critics Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the L.A. Drama Critics Award.[2]

In 2009, Bedford starred as "Lady Bracknell" in The Importance of Being Earnest, marking 27 seasons of acting and/or directing, at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada.[4]

He repeated the role in 2010 (in a double role as both actor and director) for the Roundabout Theatre in New York, which earned him a 2011 Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play.[5]

Personal life

Bedford shared a renovated home in Stratford, Ontario with fellow actor Tim MacDonald, his partner since 1986 and husband since 2013.[5][6]

Death

Bedford died from cancer on 13 January 2016 in Santa Barbara, California, at the age of 80.[7]

Stratford Shakespeare Festival credits as actor

Stratford Shakespeare Festival credits as director

Filmography

Films
Year Title Role Notes
1957 Miracle in Soho Johnny
1960 The Angry Silence Eddie
1961 Traitor in a Steel Helmet Himself
1963 The Punch and Judy Man 1st Escort
1965 The Holy Terror Billy Sims
1966 The Pad and How to Use It Bob Handman
1966 Grand Prix Scott Stoddard
1973 Robin Hood Robin Hood Voice only
1995 Nixon Clyde Tolson
2002 Mr. St. Nick Jasper
2004 A Christmas Carol Mr. Fezziwig
2011 The Importance of Being Earnest Lady Bracknell

Awards and nominations

Tony Awards
  • 1971 Best Leading Actor in Play - The School for Wives (winner)
  • 1992 Best Leading Actor in Play - Two Shakespearean Actors (nominee)
  • 1994 Best Leading Actor in Play - Timon of Athens (nominee)
  • 1995 Best Leading Actor in Play - The Molière Comedies (nominee)
  • 1997 Best Leading Actor in Play - London Assurance (nominee)
  • 2003 Best Leading Actor in Play - Tartuffe (nominee)
  • 2011 Best Leading Actor in Play - The Importance of Being Earnest (nominee)
Drama Desk Awards
  • 1969 Outstanding Performance - The Misanthrope (winner)
  • 1970 Outstanding Performance - Private Lives (winner)
  • 1971 Outstanding Performance - The School for Wives (winner)
  • 1974 Outstanding Performance - Jumpers (winner)
  • 1992 Outstanding Actor in a Play - Two Shakespearean Actors (winner)
  • 1994 Outstanding Actor in a Play - Timon of Athens (nominee)
  • 2011 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play - The Importance of Being Earnest (winner)
Obie Awards
  • 1965 Outstanding Performance - The Knack (winner)

References

  1. Brian Bedford profile, FilmReference.com; accessed 25 August 2011.
  2. 1 2 RADA Student and Graduate Profiles: – Brian Bedford, rada.ac.uk; accessed 15 January 2016.
  3. Brian Bedford profile, kino-teatr.ru; accessed 15 January 2016. (Russian)
  4. "Brian Bedford profile". Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
  5. 1 2 Brantley, Ben (5 January 2011), "The Importance of Being Astonished", New York Times, retrieved 9 March 2011
  6. Weber, Bruce (13 January 2016). "Brian Bedford, Stage Actor Who Brought the Classics to Life, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  7. "Brian Bedford, Stratford Festival icon, dead at age 80". CBC News. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.

External links

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