Don Henderson
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Don Henderson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Donald Francis Henderson 10 November 1931 Leytonstone, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | 22 June 1997 (aged 65) Warwick, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Cause of death | Throat cancer |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1964–1997 |
| Spouse | Shirley Stelfox (1979–1997; his death) |
| Children | John Henderson Mimi Henderson |
Donald Francis "Don" Henderson (10 November 1931 – 22 June 1997)[1] was an English actor of stage, television and screen. Henderson was known for playing both "tough guy" roles and authority figures, and is remembered for his portrayal of detective George Bulman between 1976 and 1987 in the popular Granada Television police drama series The XYY Man, Strangers, and Bulman, as priest Frank Kane in BBC drama The Paradise Club (1989–90), and as General Tagge in the first Star Wars film (1977). This last role also brought him attention from science fiction fans, and he later appeared in cult science fiction television series Red Dwarf and Doctor Who.[2]
Biography
He lived in his adopted home town of Stratford-upon-Avon for many years, where he was a familiar face to locals. He also had several minor roles at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the town. Prior to becoming an actor, Henderson was a dental technician in the Army, a detective sergeant with the Essex Constabulary, and an insurance salesman.
Career
Henderson is best remembered for his role as the fictional detective George Bulman. This character featured in three TV series The XYY Man in the mid-1970s; the later Strangers that saw Bulman rise from Detective Sergeant to Detective Chief Inspector and, in 1985, the series Bulman saw George retired from the police and pursuing a career as a horologist. He also starred in the popular TV drama series Warship.
Henderson made little money from his role in Star Wars - £300 for one day of filming. He also missed out on $2000 for his copy of the Star Wars script:
"I have only once been recognised as having been in Star Wars, and that was when I was making a film in Los Angeles. Somebody in the hotel I was staying at offered me $2000 for my copy of the Star Wars script. As I growled at him in amazement, he took that as a refusal, or that he had offered too little and eventually went up to an offer of $5000! Sadly, as with all my used scripts, I had given it to my kids to scribble and draw on."[3]
Death
Henderson died of throat cancer. His widow was the actress Shirley Stelfox, with whom he appeared professionally many times.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Attendant | |
| 1974 | Callan | George | |
| 1974 | Abby | Flip | |
| 1975 | The Ghoul | Ghoul | |
| 1975 | Brannigan | Geef | |
| 1976 | Voyage of the Damned | Engineering Officer | |
| 1977 | Star Wars | General Tagge | |
| 1977 | Crossed Swords | Burly Ruffian | |
| 1978 | The Big Sleep | Lou | |
| 1980 | The Island | Rollo | |
| 1985 | Brazil | First Black Maria Guard | |
| 1987 | Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire | The Wednesday Man | |
| 1987 | Out of Order | Car Driver | |
| 1988 | The Adventures of Baron Munchausen | Commander | |
| 1989 | The BFG | Bloodbottler/Fleshlumpeater/Sergeant | (voice) |
| 1990 | The Fool | Bob | |
| 1992 | Carry On Columbus | The Bosun | |
| 1992 | As You Like It | The Dukes | |
| 1993 | The Baby of Macon | Father Confessor | |
| 1993 | The Trial | Flogger | |
| 1994 | No Escape | Killian | |
| 1996 | The Wind in the Willows | The Sentry | |
| 1997 | Preaching to the Perverted | Commander Cope | |
| 1997 | FairyTale: A True Story | Sydney Chalker |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Poldark | Tom Carne | 3 episodes |
| 1976-77 | The XYY Man | DS George Bulman | 13 episodes |
| 1978 | Crossroads | Mr Black | 6 episodes |
| 1978 | Danton's Death | ||
| 1978-82 | Strangers | George Bulman | 30 episodes |
| 1985-87 | Bulman | George Bulman | 20 episodes |
| 1986 | Dead Head | Det. Inspector Malcolm | Episode: Why Me? |
| 1987 | Knights of God | Colley | 6 episodes |
| 1987 | Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen | Gavrok | 3 episodes |
| 1988 | Maigret | Barge Captain | TV movie |
| 1989-90 | The Paradise Club | Frank Kane | 20 episodes |
| 1992-94 | Screen One | Daddy Brett-Smith | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | The Famous Five | Block | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Casualty | Jerry Hunter | Episode: Night Moves |
| 1997 | Red Dwarf: | Rogue Simulant | Episode: Beyond a Joke |
Radio
- The Archers (1983) (Radio) ... Ben Warner
References
- ^ Ancestry/Find My Past (his birth was registered in the December 1931 quarter)
- ^ http://embraagain.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/an-interview-with-don-henderson.html
- ^ http://embraagain.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/an-interview-with-don-henderson.html