John Bennett (actor)


John David Bennett was an English actor.

Early life

Bennett was born in Beckenham, Kent, to Alfred Bennett and Bessie Bennett. He was educated at Bradfield College in Berkshire, then trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, followed by a wide repertory theatre experience including Bromley, Bristol Old Vic, Dundee, the Edinburgh Festival and Watford before going to London's West End. He was Jewish. He was married to actress Caroline Mortimer.

Career

Often cast as a villain, Bennett had many roles on television including Market in Honey Lane, Porridge, Survivors, The Avengers, Strange Report, Bergerac, The Professionals and four episodes of The Saint. He guest-starred in two Doctor Who serials. He is also well remembered as Philip Bosinney in the BBC's adaptation of The Forsyte Saga, but also appeared in over three hundred TV productions including God's Architect; Blake's 7; I, Claudius; Rome; Rosemary & Thyme; Saracen; Special Branch; Softly, Softly; Mulberry; Crown Court; Tales of the Unexpected and Anna Karenina. One of his last televised roles was in an episode of Jonathan Creek.
Bennett's film roles included The House That Dripped Blood, The House in Nightmare Park, The Fifth Element, Charlotte Gray and Minority Report. He also played an undercover detective in Victim, but the role was uncredited.
Bennett's theatre roles included Yasha in The Cherry Orchard and Henry Percy in Henry IV, Part 1 both for John Gielgud, Exton in Richard II and Volscian Senator in Coriolanus, Marley's Ghost in A Christmas Carol and Uncle in Inner Voices, as well as working extensively at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. He starred in many West End musicals including On Your Toes, Marilyn!, The Sound of Music, The King and I, The Baker's Wife and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical for his performance as Louis Epstein in Jolson The Musical. His last stage role was as Conrad in Gates of Gold by Frank McGuinness with William Gaunt at the Finborough Theatre, London, in December 2004.
In radio, Bennett had been a member of the BBC Drama Repertory Company, and his broadcast parts included roles in programmes that ranged from Shakespeare to Paul Temple.
Bennett was an enthusiastic amateur flier and an accomplished glider pilot. For many years he was a member of the RAF G.S.A Centre at RAF Bicester in the 1970s. He flew alongside Warrant Officer Andy Gough and was a part owner of a number of high performance gliders.

Selected filmography

Diplomatic Passport – André The Trials of Oscar Wilde – Marquis of Queensberry's Friend The Challenge – SpiderA Taste of Money – WaiterThe Curse of the Werewolf – Policeman Victim – Undercover Detective Postman's Knock – PeteThe Barber of Stamford Hill - Mr FiggCrooks Anonymous – ThomasThe Pirates of Blood River – Penal Colony Guard Lawrence of Arabia – Arab Sheik Kaleidoscope – Poker PlayerA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum The Syndicate – Dr. SinghThe House That Dripped Blood – Detective Inspector HollowayHenry VIII and His Six Wives – WriothesleyThe House in Nightmare Park – PatelHitler: The Last Ten Days – Joseph GoebbelsPorridge - the prison doctorThe Message – SaloolThe Greek Tycoon – ServantWatership Down – Capt. Holly The Mirror Crack'd – Barnsby Eye of the Needle – KleinmannThe Plague Dogs – Don Give My Regards to Broad Street – Mr. RathTai-Pan – OrlovHell Comes to Frogtown – Frog GuardPrisoner of Honor – MagistrateSherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady – Dr. Sigmund FreudSplit Second – Dr. SchulmanCadfael: The Leper of St. Giles – Lazarus the LeperPriest – Father RedstoneThe Fifth Element – PriestBridge of Dragons – The RegistrarBeginner's Luck – Old luvvieCharlotte Gray – GerardThe Pianist – Dr. EhrlichMinority Report – Adulation #4