'Young Winston' actor Simon Ward dies after long illness

BBC News ^ | 28th July 2012 | BBC News

[the scotsman]

'The British screen and stage actor Simon Ward has died after a long illness, his agent has confirmed.

Ward, who was 70, appeared in several films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including The Three Musketeers.

He also starred as Bishop Gardiner in The Tudors and as Sir Monty in the popular BBC television series Judge John Deed. A statement released by his agent said he passed away peacefully with his wife Alexandra and daughters at his bedside.

The son of a car salesman from Beckenham in Kent, Ward joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 13 where he remained for eight years. After attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he worked in repertory in Northampton, Birmingham and Oxford, and occasionally in London's West End.

Ward's break into the theatre came in 1967 when he played the lead in Joe Orton's play, Loot, which paved the way for television and film roles. In 1972, he gained national acclaim for his portrayal of Churchill in Richard Attenborough's epic film Young Winston, which featured a distinguished cast including Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

The following year, he played the Duke of Buckingham in The Three Musketeers.'

[x]

Good actor, but his big break cut both ways. Filmmakers didn't want an Old Young Winston, and he couldn't make the full transition to Old Winston or Old Simon.

You can see him in The Tudors and the 1970s Three Musketeers. He also reprised his Churchill role for Turkish TV, but I don't think we'll be seeing a six hour series about Turkish history on DVD any time soon.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[eddie willers]

I remember Young Winston and enjoyed it.

RIP

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks the scotsman. The only role of his that comes to mind was his “Lord Buckingham” in the 1970s (and by far the finest) movie version of “The Three Musketeers”. R.I.P.

[Cyman]

Also in a terrific film ZULU DAWN

[Sans-Culotte]

Sad news. I really enjoyed him in YOUNG WINSTON, an under-rated film. He was very good in THE THREE MUSKETEERS. I also second ZULU DAWN as another under-rated film. RIP, Simon.