| Richard Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ian Colquhoun Wilson 9 July 1936 Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | 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 also had a high-profile role in Demons and currently stars in Merlin.
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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] at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow 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).
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 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.[citation needed]
Wilson is a long time supporter of deafblind charity Sense and in 2007 hosted the Annual Sense Awards, honouring excellence in both deafblind people and those who work with them.[citation needed]
Wilson's biography, One Foot on the Stage: The Biography of Richard Wilson (ISBN 0752811150), was written by James Roose-Evans.[citation needed]
The opening voice on Strawbs first album providing narration on the track The Man They called Jesus.[citation needed]
Owing 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.[citation needed]
Politics
Wilson has been a supporter of the British Labour Party.[1] In 1998 he was named in a list of the biggest private financial donors to the Labour Party (UK).[3] He was an opponent of the Iraq war but continued to support Labour.[4]
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.
- Would I lie to you?
- 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
- Whoops Apocalypse
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. http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/faces/richard_wilson.shtml. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
- ^ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9255.html
- ^ "'Luvvies' for Labour". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/161057.stm.
- ^ "Richard Wilson stars in Twelfth Night". http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article6874442.ece.
External links
- Richard Wilson at the Internet Movie Database
- 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
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Johnny Ball |
Rector of the University of Glasgow 1996–1999 |
Succeeded by Ross Kemp |
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