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| Actor Nigel Davenport dies at 85 | Actor Nigel Davenport dies at 85 |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Veteran British actor Nigel Davenport has died at the age of 85. | Veteran British actor Nigel Davenport has died at the age of 85. |
| He died on 25 October after suffering from pneumonia, his agent Nicholas Young told the BBC. | He died on 25 October after suffering from pneumonia, his agent Nicholas Young told the BBC. |
| During a career spanning more than 50 years, Davenport appeared in such films as A Man for All Seasons and Chariots of Fire and the TV series Howards' Way. | During a career spanning more than 50 years, Davenport appeared in such films as A Man for All Seasons and Chariots of Fire and the TV series Howards' Way. |
| His son, the actor Jack Davenport, is best known for his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and BBC series This Life. | His son, the actor Jack Davenport, is best known for his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and BBC series This Life. |
| "It was a privilege, a pleasure and an honour to have represented Nigel," said Mr Young. "Not only was he an excellent actor, but he was also a charming, warm and witty man. | "It was a privilege, a pleasure and an honour to have represented Nigel," said Mr Young. "Not only was he an excellent actor, but he was also a charming, warm and witty man. |
| "His performances over the years were powerful and moving; his voice, the envy of many an aspiring actor, was a joy to listen to. | "His performances over the years were powerful and moving; his voice, the envy of many an aspiring actor, was a joy to listen to. |
| "Never afraid to give his opinion, he lived life to the full and enjoyed his retirement. Immensely popular on both a personal and professional level, he will be sadly missed." | "Never afraid to give his opinion, he lived life to the full and enjoyed his retirement. Immensely popular on both a personal and professional level, he will be sadly missed." |
| Born in May 1928, Davenport studied English at Trinity College, Oxford. There he joined the Oxford University Drama Society and decided to pursue a career in acting. | Born in May 1928, Davenport studied English at Trinity College, Oxford. There he joined the Oxford University Drama Society and decided to pursue a career in acting. |
| He did most of his early work in theatre, landing his first professional job as an understudy at the Savoy in Noel Coward's Relative Values. | He did most of his early work in theatre, landing his first professional job as an understudy at the Savoy in Noel Coward's Relative Values. |
| He later joined the English Stage Company at the Royal Court, where he appeared in more than a dozen plays including A Taste of Honey - a play he performed on Broadway in 1960. | He later joined the English Stage Company at the Royal Court, where he appeared in more than a dozen plays including A Taste of Honey - a play he performed on Broadway in 1960. |
| On the big screen he appeared in such movies as A High Wind in Jamaica, The Island of Dr Moreau and Without A Clue. | On the big screen he appeared in such movies as A High Wind in Jamaica, The Island of Dr Moreau and Without A Clue. |
| He was best known for his roles as Thomas More's friend, the Duke of Norfolk, in 1966 Oscar winner A Man for All Seasons, and as Olympic committee member Lord Birkenhead in Chariots of Fire. | He was best known for his roles as Thomas More's friend, the Duke of Norfolk, in 1966 Oscar winner A Man for All Seasons, and as Olympic committee member Lord Birkenhead in Chariots of Fire. |
| On the small screen he starred in dozens of TV shows, including The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Saint, The Avengers and South Riding. | On the small screen he starred in dozens of TV shows, including The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Saint, The Avengers and South Riding. |
| In the BBC's 1980s drama Howards' Way he played Sir Edward Frere, the father of property tycoon Charles Frere. | In the BBC's 1980s drama Howards' Way he played Sir Edward Frere, the father of property tycoon Charles Frere. |
| Davenport was an active member of the actors' union Equity and served as its president from 1986 to 1992. | Davenport was an active member of the actors' union Equity and served as its president from 1986 to 1992. |
| His more recent roles included parts in BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, ITV drama Midsomer Murders and a 2000 dramatisation of David Copperfield. | His more recent roles included parts in BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, ITV drama Midsomer Murders and a 2000 dramatisation of David Copperfield. |
| Davenport was married twice, the second time to actress Maria Aitken. He is survived by sons Jack and Hugo and daughter Laura. | Davenport was married twice, the second time to actress Maria Aitken. He is survived by sons Jack and Hugo and daughter Laura. |