The Harry Potter actor Robert Hardy has died at the age of 91, his family has said.
Somewhere at the back of my mind is that he was one of the leading experts on the longbow……
The Harry Potter actor Robert Hardy has died at the age of 91, his family has said.
Somewhere at the back of my mind is that he was one of the leading experts on the longbow……
WikiPedia says ‘Yes’:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hardy#Personal_life
“The Harry Potter actor Robert Hardy has died”
Does anyone know whether he did any acting before he became a Harry Potter actor?
Not a jot. Hywel Bennett was completely unknown before EastEnders as well.
@AndrewC
Yes, lots.Many knew him as Siegried Farnon in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. See Wiki link above.
Or even Siegfried.
Bugger!
Hot Metal was a very funny and for reasons lost on me seemingly underrated series.
About the Tabloid Press. Hardy played a Murdocuesqe character. Geoffrey Palmer the editor desperately trying to maintain standards.
After running a story claiming that a vicar was a werewolf the paper is forced by the press council to print a retraction.
Palmer confronts Hardy….
“We were ordered to print a retraction after our claim that the vicar was a werewolf”
“And we have”
“Yes, it took me an hour to find it ‘8 Across – No, he’s not'”
Sure was. Did a television program about it.
@Clovis Sangrail
I was being sarcastic. Or is it ironic?
Hardy was 77 when he appeared in Harry Potter and had over 40 years film experience by then but is still described as a ‘Harry Potter’ actor as if that’s all he’d done.
Hot Metal was my favourite too 🙂
@Pat
I think they also ran a competition to “win the bones of Elvis”
What was the programme you did?
In the early 60s, Hardy was a leading classical actor. His performances as Hotspur can still be savoured on grainy TV transfers
Apparently his audiobooks of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series are very good, though I haven’t heard them. (It’s hard to imagine them being better than Patrick Tull’s readings, which are one of life’s great pleasures.)
Scratch that. It appears that Hardy’s version is “heavily abridged.” So stick with Patrick Tull.
Killick! Killick there!
Rather like describing Robert de Niro as the Dirty Grandpa actor.
I have a copy of his book “The Great Warbow”.
Excellent stuff – good material, very comprehensive, well illustrated, and nicely produced.
Wat Dabney – you mean “belay that!”
Codgers should enjoy these cast lists.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Age_of_Kings
Frinstance:
Sean Connery as Hotspur
William Squire as Owen Glendower
Tom Fleming as King Henry the Fourth
Robert Hardy as Henry, Prince of Wales
Frank Windsor as Sir Walter Blunt
Mr Womby,
“Rather like describing Robert de Niro as the Dirty Grandpa actor.”
To be fair, that’s now a fair reflection of de Niro’s career. He spent 22 years from Mean Streets to Casino making generally good movies and 22 years since making stuff like Rocky and Bullwinkle.
Hardy as Rathbone: I’ve appointed a new editor, he’ll be here soon. Now, I just have to pop out.
Leaves
Re-enters without glasses, no other change in appearence.
Hardy: I’m Russell Spam, the new editor.
Bowsandarrers were Hardy’s speciality he was engaged to consult on the tests on the Mary Rose’s weapons. He made a fascinating docu film about it.
The problem with Hot Metal was that it couldn’t keep up with reality. I think what killed it was the “Spanish Donkey Crushing” scandal and the bidding war between the Sun and Mirror to save some clapped out seaside donkey.
@AndrewC
Aany apologies for SOH fail.
I too was incensed by the description.
I think it shows we’re getting old and knowledgeable – two unforgivable sins in the C21.
@clovis Insufficient Saki, no doubt.
jgh,
I remember that scene, although I seem to remember that a lot of friends were completely confused by it.
Still, more of a Brass man meself.
Loved All creatures great and small. Super TV show.
Did he ever perform at the Edinburgh festival?
Ah another sad day. I remember the documentary he did on the longbows, but mostly I remember his perfect portrayal of Siegfried Farnon.
Aye, I fondly remember Brass, and for a while kept mixing up Robert Hardy and Timothy West because of it.
@Robert Dammers
Have just addressed the shortage of saki (or at least of alcoholic beverages)..