Michael Williams KSG

From Wikipedia:

Early life and career

Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, he attended St. Edward's College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre.

His first film appearance was in 1962, and he subsequently appeared frequently on television (notably in Elizabeth R), and in British films such as Educating Rita (1983) and (along with Dench) Henry V (1989). In the latter, in perhaps an irresistible casting decision, he played his namesake, the Shakespearean character named Michael Williams. In 1967, he appeared in Benefit of the Doubt, Peter Whitehead's documentary on Peter Brook's anti-Vietnam War play US", along with Brook and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

His many radio roles included crime reporter George Cragge in In the Red and its sequels, and Dr. Watson in the BBC's complete run of Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

Williams provided voices for the Woodland Animations BBC Television series Charlie Chalk, created by Ivor Wood.

Personal life

He married Judi Dench on 5 February 1971, in the same year that they co-starred in a stage production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter, Tara Cressida Williams (b. 1972), known as Finty Williams, who is also an actress. Finty is a single parent to a son, Sam Williams (b. 6 June 1997)

Williams chaired the British Catholic Stage Guild for a number of years before he was incapacitated by illness.

He was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.

Williams served as an enthusiastic supporter of the project to build the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, USA. A plaque commemorating Williams' contributions hangs in the completed playhouse.

Shortly before his death from lung cancer at the age of 65, Williams was appointed a Knight of St Gregory (KSG) by Pope John Paul II for his contribution to Catholic life in Britain. The honour was officially bestowed upon him at home on 10 January 2001. He died the next day.

Selected television roles

Year Title Role

• 1962 Z-Cars Norbert Nuttall (1 episode)
• 1971 Elizabeth R François, Duke of Anjou and Alençon
• 1975 The Hanged Man Alan Crowe (8 episodes)
• 1980 Love in a Cold Climate Davey Warbeck (8 episodes)
• 1981–84 A Fine Romance Mike Selway
• 1988 Double First Norman 'N.V.' Standish
• 1993–94 Conjugal Rites Barry Masefield
• 1997 A Dance to the Music of Time Ted Jeavons (2 episodes)
• 1999 The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Father Daley
• 1999 Kavanagh QC DCI Knowland (1 episode)

Selected radio roles

Year Title Role

• 1973 The War Between Men and Women reader
• 1989–98 Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson
• 1995–96 Change at Oglethorpe Rocket
• 1995–99 The George Cragge series George Cragge
• 1997 Mansfield Park Sir Thomas Bertram
• 1998–99 Old Dog and Partridge Jack
• 1999–2000 Bristow Bristow

Selected film roles

Year Title Role

• 1967 Marat/Sade Herald
• 1968 Tell Me Lies Guest
• 1972 Eagle in a Cage Barry O'Meara
• 1974 Dead Cert Sandy Mason
• 1982 Enigma Hirsch, Limmer's Assistant
• 1983 Educating Rita Brian
• 1988 Angel Voices Tommy
• 1989 Henry V Williams
• 1999 Tea with Mussolini British Consul

Stage appearances

Principal stage appearances; mostly with the Royal Shakespeare Company:

• A Midsummer Night's Dream (1963)
• The Beggar's Opera (1963)
• The Representative (1963)
• King Lear (1964)
• The Comedy of Errors (1964)
• Marat/Sade (1964)
• The Jew of Malta (1964)
• Don't Make Me Laugh (1965)
• Timon of Athens (1965)
• Hamlet (1965)
• Tango (1966)
• The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
• As You Like It (1967)
• Troilus and Cressida (1968)
• London Assurance (1970)
• The Merchant of Venice (1971)
• The Duchess of Malfi (1971)
• Henry V (1971)
• Toad of Toad Hall (1972)
• Content to Whisper (1973)
• Jingo (1975)
• Too True to Be Good (1975)
• The Comedy of Errors (1976)
• The Winter's Tale (1976)
• Schweik in the Second World War (1977)
• The Montrous Regiment (1978)
• A Village Wooing (1981)
• Quartermaine's Terms (1982)
• Pack of Lies (1983/4)
• Two into One (1984)
• Mr and Mrs Nobody (1986/7)
• Out of Order (1990)
• The Tempest (1995)
• The Round Dozen (1996)
• Brief Lives (1997/8)
• The Forest (1999)

Also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Theatre-Go-Round Festival, Round House Theatre, London, 1970.

Free BMD:

Surname First name(s) Mother District Vol Page

Births Sep 1935 (>99%)

Williams Michael L Mulligan Barton 8c 756 Scan available - click to Surname First name(s) Mother District Vol Page

Births Sep 1935 (>99%)

Williams Michael L Mulligan Barton 8c 756 Scan available - click to view