Martin Benson (actor): Difference between revisions
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Benson was born in [[London]], [[England]] |
Benson was born in [[London]], [[England]]. The son of a [[Russian-Jewish]] Grocer and a [[Polish-Jewish]] mother, who left [[Russia]] during the Revolution. He won a scholarship to [[Tottenham Grammar School]]. |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Revision as of 02:26, 22 November 2010
Martin Benson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Martin Benjamin Benson |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1942–2005 |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Oliver (?–?) divorsed Joy Swinson-Benson(?–2010) (his death) |
Martin Benjamin Benson (10 August 1918–28 February 2010)[1] was an English character actor, who appeared in films, theatre and television. He appeared in both British and Hollywood productions.
Early life
Benson was born in London, England. The son of a Russian-Jewish Grocer and a Polish-Jewish mother, who left Russia during the Revolution. He won a scholarship to Tottenham Grammar School.
Career
He is remembered for his role as the Kralaholme in the original London production of The King and I, a role he recreated in the Oscar winning film version.
Appearing in films for over six decades, Benson played mostly supporting characters or villains. His films include The Blind Goddess (1948), Wheel of Fate (1953), Interpol (1957), The Strange World of Planet X (1958), Once More, with Feeling! (1959), Exodus (1960), Five Golden Hours (1961), A Shot in the Dark (1964), Pope Joan (1972), The Sea Wolves (1980) and Angela's Ashes (1999).
He also had an uncredited role in MGM's hit historical film, Ivanhoe, and in 1963 he acted in another historic film, as Ramos in Cleopatra (which also starred Elizabeth Taylor). Benson played both serious roles, such as Ali in Killers of Kilimanjaro (1959) and comic roles, such as Maurice in A Shot in the Dark.
In 1964, he appeared as Mr. Solo, the gangster who refused to take part in the title villain's plan and is later shot by his henchman Oddjob in the James Bond film, Goldfinger.
Television
He appeared in many roles on television. In 1957 he made a guest appearance on The Jack Benny Show. In the same year he played the recurring character the Duke de Medici in the children's adventure series Sword of Freedom. In 1981 he appeared in the television production of The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, albeit unrecognisable under the heavy make-up and costume of Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz, leader of the Vogon fleet sent to destroy Earth. His last appearance was in the TV series, Casualty in 2005.
Personal life and death
He married, first Joan Oliver, with whom he had three daughters and a son and then Joy Swinson, with whom he had two daughters and a son; there was a son by another relationship. Benson died in his sleep on 28 February, 2010, from natural causes, aged 91 at his home in Buckinghamshire. He is survived by his wife, Joy Swinson-Benson, his three daughters, his son, his two stepdaughters and one stepson.
Selected filmography
References
External links
- Martin Benson at IMDb
- Obituary in The Times
- Martin Benson - Daily Telegraph obituary
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