George Pastell


George Pastell was a Cypriot character actor in British films and television programmes. Sources vary as to whether his real name was Nino or George Pastellides. His marriage record gives his name as Georgiou Pastellides while his RADA record lists his name as George Pastel.

Early life

Born to a French mother and Greek father, Pastell began his career spending two years in banking. Aged 21, he joined the Greek National Theatre. Leaving Cyprus a few years later with only £50 in his pocket, Pastell came to England, scarcely able to speak much English. However, he studied the language by taking evening classes at the Pitman School and soon graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Career

He made his film debut in Give Us This Day, credited as Nino Pastellides, and played villains in film and television. He was often cast by Hammer Film Productions as Eastern characters such as Mehemet Bey in The Mummy, the High Priest of Kali in The Stranglers of Bombay, Inspector Etienne in Maniac, and Hashmi Bey in The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb.
His exotic looks often saw him cast in spy films of the '60s such as From Russia with Love ; Licensed to Kill ; A Man Could Get Killed ; That Riviera Touch ; and Deadlier Than the Male. He also appeared in the films Tiger Bay, The Angry Hills, The Siege of Sidney Street, Konga, The Frightened City, On the Beat, The Moon-Spinners, The Long Duel and The Magus.
He also appeared as the villain in the '60s television series Danger Man; The Avengers ; Doctor Who; The Champions; The Saint; and Department S.

Music

At the suggestion of his wife, backing singer Gloria George, Pastell went into the recording business. In 1968 with his partner Alexander Dembeniotis and help from a couple of bankers, the Duboff Brothers, he took over Recorded Sound Studio to make it a more commercially viable studio. The place would go on to house consoles and equipment created by electronics engineer Rupert Neve. Pastell acted as studio manager and by 1971, the studio was renamed Nova Sound after being acquired by a group named Scotia Investments.

Personal life

Pastell had dual citizenship between the United Kingdom and United States with homes in Miami, Florida and Manhattan. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild as well as a theatrical instructor for Pasadena Playhouse. Pastell spent his final years touring the nation, performing in musical theatre with his wife.

Death

He died on 4 April 1976 from a heart attack.

Selected filmography

  • Adam and Evelyne - Headwaiter at Restaurant
  • Madness of the Heart - Waiter
  • Give Us This Day - The Lucy
  • Moulin Rouge - Man at First Bar
  • The Gambler and the Lady - Jacko Spina
  • Deadly Nightshade - Ferrari
  • South of Algiers - Hassan
  • Blind Spot - Schrieder
  • Battle of the V-1 - Eryk
  • Tiger Bay - 'POLOMA' Captain
  • Deadly Record - Angelo
  • The Angry Hills - Papa Panos
  • The Mummy - Mehemet Bey
  • The Stranglers of Bombay - High Priest of Kali
  • Bottoms Up - Swarthy Man
  • The Siege of Sidney Street - Brodsky
  • Konga - Prof. Tagore
  • The Frightened City - Sanchetti
  • Village of Daughters - 2nd Pickpocket
  • Masters of Venus - Kallas
  • On the Beat - Manzini
  • Tarzan's Three Challenges - Khan
  • Impact - Sebastian 'The Duke' Dukelow
  • Maniac - Inspector Etienne
  • From Russia with Love - Train Conductor
  • The Secret Door - Antonio
  • The Moon-Spinners - Police lieutenant
  • The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - Hashmmi Bey
  • Danger Man - Petel
  • The High Bright Sun - Prinos
  • The Intelligence Men - Assassin
  • She - Haumeid
  • Licensed to Kill - Second Russian Commisar
  • Out of the Unknown - Major Kahn
  • A Man Could Get Killed - Lazlo
  • That Riviera Touch - Ali
  • Khartoum - Giriagis Bey
  • Run with the Wind - Lennie
  • Deadlier Than the Male - Carloggio
  • The Long Duel - Ram Chand
  • Doctor Who - The Tomb of the Cybermen, - Eric Klieg
  • The Magus - Andreas-Priest
  • Vendetta for the Saint - Marco Ponti