Stanley Baker

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Sir William Stanley Baker (born February 28, 1928 in Ferndale , Rhondda Valley , Wales , † June 28, 1976 in Málaga , Andalusia , Spain ) was a British film and theater actor and film producer .

biography

Born in an industrial Welsh district and the son of a miner , Baker did not move to London with his parents until the mid-1930s . Together with his friend, Richard Burton , later also known as an actor , Baker was discovered and promoted by the teacher Glyn Morse. Like Burton, Baker made his debut on the theater stage in Cardiff .

Baker began his film career in 1943. His debut film Undercover was about Yugoslavia's partisan war during World War II . The 1950s and 1960s were Baker's heyday, when he starred in large-scale productions such as The Cannons of Navarone and Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as ambitious films such as those of director Joseph Losey , for whom he appeared four times in front of the camera.

Baker also produced eight feature films between 1964 and 1970, including Zulu and Charlie scooping millions . In 1975 he played the leading role in the six-part television series So green was my valley based on the novel by Richard Llewellyn, which was also successful in Germany . He played a Welsh miner, head of the Morgan family.

Baker was married to Ellen Martin from 1950 until his death. The marriage had four children. Stanley Baker was always politically active, so he supported Harold Wilson's Labor Party and was an active member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament .

Baker was diagnosed with lung cancer and was in Spain for an operation when Harold Wilson proposed him to Queen Elizabeth II in June 1976 for the title of Knight Bachelor . Shortly afterwards, at the age of 48, he died of complications from his cancer surgery. Although the accolade could not be carried out at Buckingham Palace (usually the prerequisite for being allowed to bear the title), the title was awarded to him posthumously.

Filmography (selection)

Awards

  • 1960: nominated for the British Film Academy Award for Enemies of Yesterday (Category: Best British Actor)
  • 1977: Emmy nomination for How Green Was My Valley (Masterpiece Theater)

Web links
personal data
SURNAME Baker, Stanley
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Baker, William Stanley (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British film and theater actor and film producer
DATE OF BIRTH February 28, 1928
PLACE OF BIRTH Ferndale , Rhondda Valley , Wales
DATE OF DEATH June 28, 1976
Place of death Málaga , Andalusia , Spain