Glyn Houston | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Glyndwr Desmond Houston (1925-10-23)23 October 1925 Clydach Vale,Glamorgan, Wales |
| Died | 30 June 2019(2019-06-30) (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1949–1996 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Family | Donald Houston (brother) |
Glyndwr Desmond Houston (23 October 1925 – 30 June 2019) was a Welsh actor best known for histelevision work.[1] He was the younger brother of film actorDonald Houston.[2]
Houston was born at 10 Thomas Street,Tonypandy,Glamorgan, Wales.[3][2] He served in thearmy during theSecond World War, and was briefly a stand-up comedian performing for soldiers during the war.[4] He made his first film appearance inThe Blue Lamp in 1950.[5] In 1951 he appeared at theDuchess Theatre in London'sWest End in the comedy playThe Happy Family byMichael Clayton Hutton.[6]
In the 1970s Houston playedLord Peter Wimsey's valetBunter oppositeIan Carmichael in television adaptations of several ofDorothy Sayers tales. His performance was praised inThe New York Times.[7] Later, he had a role as a literary agent in the 1980s British sitcomKeep It in the Family. He appeared in a number of films includingThe Great Game.[8]
Other credits included 'Peter Ridgway' in 'Colonel March of Scotland Yard' Episode 'The Stolen Crime' (1956),My Good Woman (1973–1974),A Horseman Riding By (1978),Inspector Morse,It Ain't Half Hot Mum,Minder andDoomwatch, as well as the recurring character "Det Supt Jones" inSoftly, Softly. He also appeared twice as different characters inDoctor Who — as "Professor Owen Watson" inThe Hand of Fear (1976)[9] and as "Colonel Ben Wolsey" inThe Awakening (1984).[10] He also playedBrother Cadfael in a 1979 BBC Radio 4 adaptation ofOne Corpse Too Many. Houston had over two hundred television and film credits,[2] dating back as early as 1950.[11] Houston won aBAFTA Cymru special award in April 2008.[11]
A highlight of Houston's career was his appearance at the concert to celebrate the opening of theNational Assembly for Wales in 1999[12] along with other actors such asIoan Gruffudd andHarry Secombe.[13]
Houston was married to the actress and model Shirley Lawrence and had two children.[5] In May 2000 he unveiled a Mining Memorial in his native Rhondda at theRhondda Heritage Park. He led the tributes to the thousands of miners who died and suffered during 150 years of mining in theSouth Wales coalfield.[14] He released an autobiography titledGlyn Houston, A Black and White Actor in December 2009.[4] Houston died at the age of 93 on 30 June 2019.[15][16]
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