The Avengers
Cast & Crew
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Linda Thorson
Tara King
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Patrick Macnee
John Steed
Born 6 February, 1922 in London, England, to a wealthy and extraordinarily eccentric family, Patrick Macnee spent much of the first eleven years of his life wearing kilts. As his father, a race horse trainer, drank and gambled the family's money away, his lesbian mother and her lover raised Patrick. His film career began in 1943 while he was serving in the Royal Navy, and it might have ended abruptly at that point as he was nearly killed. On the one occasion he did not set sail on his ship owing to illness, the ship was blown out of the water. After nearly being expelled from Eton for running a gambling ring, he attended the Webber Douglas School of Dramatic Art in 1949. Steady work in the U.K. was not forthcoming so he decided to investigate the thriving film industry in Canada, leaving his wife and two children in London. In 1954 he came to Broadway with the Old Vic troupe, and eventually hit Hollywood, working sporadically in film and television, playing mostly what he referred to as "villainy in a tri-corner hat". In the process he'd fallen out of touch with his wife and children, something he deeply regrets to this day. Returning to Britain in 1958, Patrick landed an opportunity to co-produce a TV series entitled 'Winston Churchill - The Valiant Years'. Two years later, Sydney Newman was about to make television history with a new TV series entitled 'The Avengers', and made Patrick an offer he couldn't refuse. Although Patrick wanted to continue producing, Sydney convinced the starving artist to accept the role of John Steed. He remained the sole continuous cast member throughout the series' lengthy, on-again off-again history. Afterward he returned to America where, after living as a beach bum for a while, he kept quite busy, appearing in numerous television shows and films, mostly in light comic roles. Patrick also penned a few books, voiced Jack Higgins stories on audio cassette, and narrated quite a number of video series on ghosts, UFOs and other supernatural phenomena. A birdwatcher (both the feathered and the human varieties), Patrick received an award from the Bureau of Federal Aviation for preventing terrorism on aircraft. Patrick's father was Daniel Macnee; his mother, Dorothea Mary Henry. His first wife was Barbara Douglas; married November, 1942, divorced 1956. Children from this marriage were Rupert (a TV producer) and Jennifer. His second wife was Catherine Woodville (Dr. Keel's fiancee in 'The Avengers'); married 1965, divorced 1969. His third wife is Baba Sekely (baba Majos de Nagyzsenye), married February, 1988. He became a grandfather in 1988. (from: The Avengers Forever - David K. Smith)moreless -
Diana Rigg
Mrs Emma Peel
Dame Diana Rigg is one of Britain's leading actresses. Although she will forever be remembered for her role as the iconic Mrs. Peel in the 1960's television series The Avengers her prolific work on the stage and television have brought her numerous awards, wide critical acclaim and firmly confirmed her cult status.
Rigg was born Enid Diana Elizabeth in Doncaster, South Yorkshire on July 20th 1938. However, at young age she moved to live in India where her father worked for the state railroad. She returned to Britain at the age of 8 to attend boarding school in Buckinghamshire and then went to Fulneck School in Yorkshire.
It is for her work in the theatre that has given her the ability to shine as an outstanding, intelligent performer. In 1955, Rigg was accepted by RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). Her professional debut was made in 1957 at the York Festival. After leaving RADA, she signed a 5 year contract with the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company). During her time there, she played a critically acclaimed Cordelia in a successful production of 'King Lear' directed by Peter Brook. She also played numerous contrasting Shakespearean female characters such as Helena in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and Lady Macbeth. She first performed the Greek tragedy 'Medea' in 1992. When the play went to Broadway in 1994, it resulted in a Tony Award. Rigg has toured Australia and New Zealand with the RSC and in 2004, she starred as Mrs. Venable in a production of Tennessee Williams' 'Suddenly Last Summer.'
The role of martial arts expert Emma Peel in 'The Avengers' between 1964-1968 brought international fame. However, it is by no means the only television work Rigg has done. In 1988 her role as the obsessive mother, Helena Vesey, in the BBC series 'Mother Love' was lauded by the critics. The 1997 ITV adaptation of Daphnie Du Maurier's novel 'Rebecca', where she played Mrs. Danvers, was equally successful. More recently, she has played the wry, sharp witted sleuth Adela Bradley in a BBC series based on the Gladys Mitchell's The Mrs Bradley Mysteries.
Rigg has appeared in numerous films. Soon after leaving 'The Avengers', she starred in 'On her Majesty's Secret Service' alongside George Lazenby in his one and only performance as James Bond. During the early 1980s she appeared in two adaptations of Agatha Christie novels. The first was as Arlena Stewart Marshall in 'Evil Under The Sun' with Sir Peter Ustinov and Dame Maggie Smith. The second was as the duplicitous Christine Vole in Christie's short story 'Witness for the Prosecution.' She also played Chloe Fanshawe in adaptation of William Boyd's humorous novel 'A Good Man in Africa. in 1994.
Rigg has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Israeli painter Menhem Gueffen in 1973. They were divorced in 1976. In 1982 Rigg married Scottish laird Archie Stirling. They had one daughter and were divorced in 1990.
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Honor Blackman
Cathy Gale
Best known for her role as Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger Spouse: Maurice Kaufmann (1963-1975) (divorced) 2 children Billy Sankey (1946-1956) (divorced) -
Ian Hendry
Dr David Keel
Spouse Janet Munro (1963-1971) (divorced) Trivia: Hendry was actuall the primary focus and was top billed over partner Patrick Macnee when the first season of the "The Avengers" hit the airwaves. The more successful pairings of Honor Blackman and Diana Rigg came later.moreless -
Rhonda Parker
Rhonda
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Arthur Hewlett
One-Twelve
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Jon Rollason
Dr Martin King
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Julie Stevens
Venus Smith
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Patrick Newell
Mother (season six)
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Ingrid Hafner
Carol Wilson (seasons one and two)
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Douglas Muir
One-Ten
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Trevor Bannister
Gordon
Trevor Bannister is from the village of Durrington Wilts in the west of England. He has been acting since the age of 15. His early career included acting in a repertory company run by Arthur Brough, who later co-starred with Mr. Bannister on AYBS as Mr. Grainger. Mr. Bannister has worked in the theatre almost non stop, both throughout the UK and in countries around the world, including Canada, Holland and even Lebanon! He has done a great amount of comedy in the theatre, and enjoys playing 'the mother' in pantomimes at the Christmas season. He has also appeared extensively in television and performed in his own show on radio as well. Mr. Bannister has three sons, a music video producer Jeremy is the oldest followed by Simon and Timothy. He is married to a very beautiful woman named Pamela who loves the sport of polo. Mr. Bannister loves to play golf and has played in charity tournaments in the past. Mr. and Mrs. Bannister live in county Surrey.moreless -
Frank Thornton
Sir William Bonner
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Peter Dennis
Private
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Ronald Russell
Wilkinson
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Geoffrey Chater
Jarvis
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Geoffrey Chater
Seaton
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Jon Pertwee
Brigadier Whitehead
Jon was always told that he could never be an actor due to his lisp. This never stopped him and throughout his career Jon portrayed many memorable parts including the third incarnation of Doctor Who and the odd-ball scarecrow Worzel Gummidge. John was born on 7 July 1919 in Chelsea, London. His parents were both in show business, his father a noted playwright and his mother an actress. John changed his name to Jon as a young actor and embarked on a life on the stage, the family business. He had his first role in the "Twelfth Night". He then attended RADA for a time before leaving after he refused to play a part assigned by the school. Jon is perhaps best known for the second-longest serving Doctor, appearing in the role between 1970-1974. During his time, a number of his own vehicles appeared in the show, including a hover-craft. Jon died while he was in the United States at a convention in May 1996. He left behind a wife and two children Sean and Dariel.moreless -
Donald Sutherland
Jessel
Donald was born in Sain John, New Brunswick, Canada to Dorothy McNichol and Frederick Sutherland, with Scottish roots on his mother's side. He grew up in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. His mother was a mathematics teacher, and his father was head of the local bus, gas and electric company. As a child he suffered from polio, hepatitis and rheumatic fever.
He studied at Victoria College, University of Toronto where he graduated in Engineering and Drama. They then went to London to study at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
At first he worked in the UK, on TV and Film, working with Christopher Lee, and venturing into the war film genre. A gradual build up in his career resulted in his ultimate great success and reputation as a Hollywood Great.
Donald's first wife was Lois Hardwick, and they were married for 7 years (1959-1966). He had twins with his second wife, Shirley Douglas (1966-1970) (Kiefer and Rachel), and three sons with his current wife, Francine Racette (Rossif, Angus and Roeg), whom he has been married to since 1972. Shirley's father was Tommy Douglas, acclaimed Member of the Canadian House of Commons.
As of 2008, Donald has a home in Georgeville, Quebec.moreless -
Derek Newark
Crawford
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Derek Newark
Johnson
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Derek Newark
Vickers
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Jeremy Young
Dr. Penrose
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Jeremy Young
George Burton
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Jeremy Young
Willy Frant
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Nicholas Courtney
Captain Legros
Born in Egypt on 16 December 1929, Nicholas Courtney grew up in Kenya and France, then at the age of eighteen was called up for National Service. Following his eighteen month duty, Courtney joined the Webber Douglas Drama School (alma mater of Patrick Macnee and Gareth Hunt). After two years he went to work in the repertory at Northampton before moving to London circa 1961. He started in television with roles in the likes of Sword of Honour and Spot the Birdies.
moreless
Courtney is best known for his work on the legendary British TV series Doctor Who. Indeed, he is the only actor to work on the series with all eight television Doctors (his appearance with the most recent, Paul McGann, care of an audio adventure). He first appeared in Doctor Who in 1965 in "The Daleks' Masterplan" playing Bret Vyon, a space security operative. Two years later he was cast in "The Web of Fear" initially as Captain Knight, though assumed a larger role when the actor David Langton ("The Mauritius Penny", "November Five" and "The 50,000 Breakfast") dropped out. Fate would have it that the part Courtney inherited from Langton--Colonel Lethbridge Stewart--would go on (promoted to Brigadier) to become a regular, and highly popular, character in the series. Courtney was practically a regular on Doctor Who from 1970-75, and he made sporadic returns as the Brigadier until 1989. Today he is Honorary President of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society and is a regular and entertaining guest at conventions. He most recently returned to the part of the Brigadier in a cameo in the Harry Hill comedy show.
Appearances on stage included The Dame of Sark, Donkey's Years, The Rocky Horror Show and The Mousetrap. On television, Courtney has a long list of credits and fans of vintage television will acknowledge him as a very familiar face. He did a great deal of work for ITC/ATV, appearing in series such as Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Jason King and The Champions. In 1983, Courtney starred in Then Churchill Said to Me, a comedy vehicle for Frankie Howerd set in World War II; however, the show was pulled from the schedules due to the Falklands conflict, and did not premire on terrestrial television until 2000. Further television appearances came in the form of Minder, Shelley, Juliet Bravo, All Creatures Great and Small, Sink or Swim. Film work includes To Catch a King (1984), Jenny's War (1985) and the frankly embarrassing Roger Moore-Michael Caine debacle, "Bullseye" (1990).
Nicholas Courtney passed away after a long battle with cancer on February 22nd, 2011. -
Nicholas Courtney
Gifford
Born in Egypt on 16 December 1929, Nicholas Courtney grew up in Kenya and France, then at the age of eighteen was called up for National Service. Following his eighteen month duty, Courtney joined the Webber Douglas Drama School (alma mater of Patrick Macnee and Gareth Hunt). After two years he went to work in the repertory at Northampton before moving to London circa 1961. He started in television with roles in the likes of Sword of Honour and Spot the Birdies.
moreless
Courtney is best known for his work on the legendary British TV series Doctor Who. Indeed, he is the only actor to work on the series with all eight television Doctors (his appearance with the most recent, Paul McGann, care of an audio adventure). He first appeared in Doctor Who in 1965 in "The Daleks' Masterplan" playing Bret Vyon, a space security operative. Two years later he was cast in "The Web of Fear" initially as Captain Knight, though assumed a larger role when the actor David Langton ("The Mauritius Penny", "November Five" and "The 50,000 Breakfast") dropped out. Fate would have it that the part Courtney inherited from Langton--Colonel Lethbridge Stewart--would go on (promoted to Brigadier) to become a regular, and highly popular, character in the series. Courtney was practically a regular on Doctor Who from 1970-75, and he made sporadic returns as the Brigadier until 1989. Today he is Honorary President of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society and is a regular and entertaining guest at conventions. He most recently returned to the part of the Brigadier in a cameo in the Harry Hill comedy show.
Appearances on stage included The Dame of Sark, Donkey's Years, The Rocky Horror Show and The Mousetrap. On television, Courtney has a long list of credits and fans of vintage television will acknowledge him as a very familiar face. He did a great deal of work for ITC/ATV, appearing in series such as Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Jason King and The Champions. In 1983, Courtney starred in Then Churchill Said to Me, a comedy vehicle for Frankie Howerd set in World War II; however, the show was pulled from the schedules due to the Falklands conflict, and did not premire on terrestrial television until 2000. Further television appearances came in the form of Minder, Shelley, Juliet Bravo, All Creatures Great and Small, Sink or Swim. Film work includes To Catch a King (1984), Jenny's War (1985) and the frankly embarrassing Roger Moore-Michael Caine debacle, "Bullseye" (1990).
Nicholas Courtney passed away after a long battle with cancer on February 22nd, 2011.
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Categories
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