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Martin Benson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Benson in the TV seriesOne Step Beyond, episodeThe Sorcerer, 1961 | |
| Born | Martin Benjamin Benson (1918-08-10)10 August 1918 London, England |
| Died | 28 February 2010(2010-02-28) (aged 91) Markyate, Hertfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1942–2005 |
| Spouses |
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Martin Benjamin Benson (10 August 1918 – 28 February 2010)[1][2] was an English actor who appeared in films, theatre and television. He appeared in both British andHollywood productions.[3]
Benson was born in the East End of London, into a Jewish family,[4] the son of a Russian-Jewish grocer and his Polish-Jewish wife who had left Russia at the revolution.[1] After attending Tottenham Grammar School on a scholarship, he served in the 2nd Searchlight, Royal Artillery, duringWorld War II. Stationed in Cairo, Egypt, he andArthur Lowe founded therepertory company Mercury Theatre in Alexandria.[1]
Benson is remembered for his role as the Kralaholme in the original London production ofThe King and I, a role he recreated in the Oscar-winning film version.[5]
Appearing in films for over six decades, Benson played mostly supporting characters or villains.[6] His films includeThe Blind Goddess (1948),Wheel of Fate (1953),Interpol (1957),The Strange World of Planet X (1958),Once More, with Feeling! (1959),Exodus (1960),Five Golden Hours (1961),A Shot in the Dark (1964),Pope Joan (1972),The Sea Wolves (1980) andAngela's Ashes (1999).[7]
Benson also had an uncredited role inMGM's hit historical film,Ivanhoe, and in 1963 he acted in another historicfilm, as Ramos inCleopatra (which also starredElizabeth Taylor). Benson played both serious roles, such as Ali inKillers of Kilimanjaro (1959) and comic roles, such as Maurice inA Shot in the Dark.[3]
In 1964, Benson appeared as Mr. Solo, the gangster who is killed by Goldfinger's henchmanOddjob in theJames Bond filmGoldfinger.[5]
Benson appeared in many roles on television. He played a barrister, using his own name, in the unscripted seriesThe Verdict is Yours which ran for several years in the 1950s. Cases were shown and the previously unknown verdict was given by jury of viewers.[2] In 1957 he made a guest appearance onThe Jack Benny Show.[8] In the same year he played the recurringcharacter the Duke de Medici in the children's adventure seriesSword of Freedom.[9] In 1960 he appeared in the seriesDanger Man in the episode entitled "Position of Trust" as Fawzi. In 1981 he appeared in the television production ofThe Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, albeit unrecognisable under the heavy make-up and costume of Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz, leader of the Vogon fleet sent todestroy Earth.[6] His last appearance was in the TV seriesCasualty in 2005.[10]
Benson died in his sleep on 28 February 2010, from natural causes.[2]
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Martin Benson passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday 28th February 2010.
