Basil Dignam
Basil Dignam was an English character actor.
Basil Dignam was born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire. Before the acting, he tried many jobs, from a company clerk to a journalist. He acted on film and television between 1948 and 1978. He often appeared as an authority figure, such as Mr Justice Poynter in Crown Court, as a police officer, army general or peer. Television appearances include The Prisoner: Checkmate and The Champions, as Sir Frederick in episode 2 "The Invisible Man".
Personal life
He was married to actress Mona Washbourne from 1940 until his death in 1979. His brother Mark Dignam was also a professional actor. Basil Dignam died, aged 73, in Westminster, London.
Selected filmography
Maytime in Mayfair – Commissionaire Smart Alec – Defending CounselTwo on the Tiles – Ship's CaptainThe Lady with a Lamp Appointment with Venus – R.A.M.C. CaptainHis Excellency – Security OfficerHammer the Toff – SuperintendentThere Was a Young Lady Carrington V.C. The Quatermass Xperiment – Sir Lionel Dean They Can't Hang Me – Wing Commander RiddleTouch and Go – StevensThe Narrowing Circle – George PaceyPrivate's Progress – Col. Martin Port of Escape – Det. Insp. CrawfordThe Intimate Stranger – Dr. GrayReach for the Sky – Air Ministry Doctor The Weapon – The Counterfeit Plan – Police CommissionerYou Pay Your Money – CurrieBrothers in Law – Mr. Justice EmeryYangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst – Sir Lionel Henry Lamb, British Ambassador at NankingMan in the Shadow – Bit Part Three Sundays to Live – DavittThe Depraved – Tom WiltonSon of a Stranger – Dr. DelaneyThe Safecracker – Air Vice MarshalThem Nice Americans – Inspector AdamsInnocent Sinners – Mr. Dyson – Olivia's Solicitor Up the Creek – CoombesThe Spaniard's Curse – Guy Stevenson A Cry from the Streets – Police Inspector Carry On Sergeant – Third SpecialistFurther Up the Creek – Flagship CommanderI Only Arsked! – Corridors of Blood – ChairmanRoom at the Top – Priest Carlton-Browne of the F.O. – Security OfficerSapphire – Doctor Burgess I'm All Right Jack – Minister of LabourA Touch of Larceny – Lt. Cmdr. Evans at P.R.O. The Spider's Web – HugoSuspect – Dr ChildsThe Pure Hell of St Trinian's – Army OfficerSentenced for Life – Ralph ThompsonGorgo – Admiral BrooksThe Secret Partner – LyleThe Fourth Square - Inspector ForbesThe Court Martial of Major Keller – MorrellFate Takes a Hand – WheelerLife for Ruth – Lawyer MapletonLawrence of Arabia – Cavalry General at Field Briefing Seven Seas to Calais – Sir Francis WalsinghamMaster Spy – Richard HortonHeavens Above! – Prison Governor80,000 Suspects – Medical Officer BoswellRing of Spies – 2nd Member at Lord's Joey Boy – GeneralThe Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders – LawyerRotten to the Core – The GeneralWhere the Spies Are – Major HardingNaked Evil – Jim BensonThe Jokers – Bank ManagerCuckoo Patrol – SnodgrassI'll Never Forget What's'isname Assignment K – HowlettTwisted Nerve – DoctorLaughter in the Dark – DealerBattle of Britain – Tactical Records Officer The Great White Hope – English Official 10 Rillington Place – Medical BoardPersuasion - Sir Walter ElliotA Lizard in a Woman's Skin – The Commissioner Young Winston – Joseph ChamberlainSoft Beds, Hard Battles – BrigadierEdward the Seventh - Prime Minister Asquith