Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)
Richard Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ian Colquhoun Wilson |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, theatre director and presenter |
| Years active | 1964–present |
Ian Colquhoun Wilson OBE (born 9 July 1936), better known as Richard Wilson, is a Scottish actor, theatre director and presenter, best known for playing Victor Meldrew in the popular BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave. He has also had high-profile roles in Merlin and Demons.
Personal life
Wilson was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire (now part of Inverclyde). He was educated in Greenock and studied science and did National Service with the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in Singapore. He worked in a laboratory[1] as a research scientist before switching to acting at age 27. He trained at RADA and then appeared in repertory theatres in Edinburgh (Traverse), Glasgow and Manchester (Stables). He was also a supporter of the British Labour Party,[1] and an opponent of the Iraq war.
Wilson was awarded the OBE for services to drama as a director and actor in 1994. In April 1996, he was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow for a period of three years.[1]
Wilson is openly gay and is a strong supporter of Stonewall (UK)[2].
Wilson is one of the Patrons for Scottish Youth Theatre, Scotland's National Theatre 'for and by' young people.
Wilson's biography, One Foot on the Stage: The Biography of Richard Wilson (ISBN 0752811150), was written by James Roose-Evans.
The opening voice on Strawbs first album providing narration on the track The Man They called Jesus.
Due to the popularity of One Foot In The Grave, Wilson is still hounded by members of the public to say the classic 'I don't believe it' catchphrase of his alter-ego Victor Meldrew. Wilson insists they must give to charity first.
Television
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1985) episode The Red Headed League as Duncan Ross
- Born and Bred
- Doctor Who — episodes "The Empty Child" and "The Doctor Dances" (2005)- Doctor Constantine
- Duck Patrol
- Emmerdale
- Hot Metal (1988)
- King of Fridges (2004) (as Frank)
- Father Ted — episode "The Mainland"
- Inspector Morse - episode "Absolute Conviction"
- Mr Bean — episode "The Trouble With Mr Bean"
- Gulliver's Travels
- My Good Woman
- Rentaghost
- Normal Service
- One Foot in the Grave (as Victor Meldrew)
- High Stakes
- Only When I Laugh
- A Sharp Intake Of Breath
- Tutti Frutti
- Cluedo
- Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em -episode "Wendy House"- As an Insurance claims adjuster
- Star Portraits with Rolf Harris - celebrity "sitter" in one episode of the portraiture contest.
- Jeffrey Archer: The Truth as Duke of Edinburgh
- Crown Court (1970s) - as a barrister.
- Thank God You're Here
- Merlin - as Gaius
- Demons - as Father Simeon
- Britain's Best Drives
- The F Word - Appeared as himself in the middle of the first season.
- New Tricks (2009) - as Father Bernárd in episode "The war against drugs"
Films
- A Dry White Season
- A Passage to India
- Carry On Columbus
- Fellow Travellors
- How to Get Ahead in Advertising
- Prick Up Your Ears
- Soft Top, Hard Shoulder
- The Man Who Knew Too Little
- Women Talking Dirty
Theatre Direction
Wilson won the TMA Best Director Award in 2000 for Mr Kolpert.[1]
- The Woman Before by Roland Schimmelpfennig—Royal Court, May 2005
- East Coast Chicken Supper by Martin J Taylor—The Traverse, 2005
- Rainbow Kiss by Simon Farquhar—Royal Court, April 2006
- A Wholly Healthy Glasgow by Ian Heggie; The Royal Exchange Theatre, Edinburgh International Festival, The Royal Court, 1988/89
- Primo
References
- ^ a b c d "Richard Wilson - Drama Faces". BBC. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
- ^ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9255.html
External links
- Richard Wilson at IMDb
- The Official Richard Wilson Archive
- University of Glasgow Newsletter (20 March 1996 - Issue No: 178), announcing Wilson's election as Rector
- Exclusive Interview with Richard Wilson
- The Richard Wilson TV IV WIKI
- David Tennant Chain Reaction interview BBC Radio 4