Hywel Bennett

Actor: Hywel Bennett

Born: Apr 08, 1944 in Garnant, South Wales
Occupation: Actor
Active: '60s-'70s, '90s
Major Genres: Comedy, Drama
Career Highlights: The Buttercup Chain, Pennies From Heaven, Misery Harbour
First Major Screen Credit: The Family Way (1966)

Biography

Yes, it's true that Welsh actor Hywel Bennett, a bonafide male, made his London stage debut as Ophelia in Hamlet. It's important to note, however, that the production was staged by the Youth Theatre, that it was traditional for men to play female roles in Shakespeare's time, and that, at 15, Bennett's voice hadn't broken yet. Thereafter, he trafficked in "angry young men" parts on stage, and as crafty characters posing as naifs in films. One of his most famous film roles was his first--in 1966's The Family Way, he played the briefly impotent husband of Hayley Mills. He went on to star in the anti-war The Virgin Soldiers (1970) and Percy (1973), in which he played the first recipient of a penis transplant. On British television, Bennett was seen in such weeklies as Where the Buffalo Roams (1967) and Shelley (1985). Incidentally, Hywel Bennett finally got to play the male lead in Hamlet in a 1974 South African production. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Hywel Bennett
Born	Hywel Thomas Bennett 8 April 1944 (1944-04-08) (age 65) Garnant, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Hywel Thomas Bennett (born 8 April 1944) is a Welsh actor.

Bennett was born in Garnant, Carmarthenshire, Wales, the son of Sarah Gwen (née Lewis) and Gorden Bennett.^[1] He is the brother of actor Alun Lewis. Raised in London from an early age, he attended Henry Thornton Grammar School, Clapham and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Bennett is best known for his appearances on British television. He played small parts in Doctor Who (1964) and The Sweeney (1976). He starred in The Virgin Soldiers (1969), the film adaptation of Loot (1970) by Joe Orton, Percy (1971) and played the lead role in Shelley (1979-84) and its sequel The Return of Shelley (1988-92). He was also cast opposite former child star Hayley Mills in several films including The Family Way (1966), Twisted Nerve (1968) and Endless Night (1972).

He played major parts in several Dennis Potter television plays, including Where the Buffalo Roam (1966), Pennies From Heaven (1978), Cold Lazarus (1996) and Karaoke (also 1996). He was also a colorful villain in Neil Gaiman's miniseries Neverwhere (1996). His character, Ricki Tarr, was pivotal in the 1979 BBC miniseries based on the John le Carré novel, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979). He also appeared in Lock, Stock... (2000) as "Deep Throat". Bennett also starred in the 4 part 1979 BBC mini series Malice Aforethought from the original novel, written in the 1920's, by Francis Iles.

In 2003, he joined the cast of long running soap opera EastEnders as Jack Dalton, a gangland boss; and has appeared as an occasional character, Peter Baxter, on The Bill.

From 1967-88, Bennett was married to Cathy McGowan, best known as the presenter of the TV rock show Ready Steady Go! in the mid 1960s. They have a daughter, Emma.

Filmography

The Family Way (1966)
Twisted Nerve (1968)
The Virgin Soldiers (1969)
Loot (1970)
The Buttercup Chain (1970)
Percy (1971)
Endless Night (1972)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972)
The Love Ban (1973)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979)
Towards the Morning (1980)
Artemis 81 (1981)
Murder Elite (1985)
Deadline (1987)
A Mind to Kill (1991)
Deadly Advice (1994)
Married 2 Malcolm (1998)
Misery Harbour (1999)
Nasty Neighbours (2000)
One for the Road (2003)

References

^ Hywel Bennett Biography (1944-)

External links

Hywel Bennett at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
NAME	Bennett, Hywel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Bennett, Hywel Thomas
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Actor
DATE OF BIRTH	1944-4-8
PLACE OF BIRTH	Garnant, Carmarthenshire, Wales
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

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	It's Not the Size That Counts (1974 Comedy Film)
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