Bernard Hepton RIP

[LMcD]

I've just heard of the death of this fine actor at the age of 92. Wonderful performances in 'Colditz', 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and 'Secret Army'.

[PJPJ]

RIP - a fine actor, indeed.

[LMcD]

Petroc now playing the theme from 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'. What could be more fitting?

[cloughie]

A great actor with many superbly, professionally delivered roles over many years. RIP Bernard.

[Richard Tarleton]

A huge body of film and television work - marvellous actor. I watched Tinker Tailor and Smiley's People (where he moves up the billing) only recently. Among so much else, a great turn as a washed-up actor-manager in a 1998 episode of Midsomer Murders, in a fedora hat with outsize brim. I've just finished a re-read of Adam Sisman's biog of John Le Carré - the BBC threw a grand lunch for cast and crew shortly before TTSS went out. All were there, drinking champagne, except Hepton - Alec Guinness was becoming impatient, thinking Hepton was being deliberately late. Eventually he arrived, wearing a green tailored suit. "Oh Bernard, you came as a frog", said Guinness. But they went on to work splendidly together in Smiley's People.

[aeolium]

Yes, he was impressive in everything he appeared in. Some of his minor roles were particularly enjoyable as well, e.g. Pallas in I Claudius and a sulphurous Krook in the BBC's 1980s adaptation of Bleak House.

[burning dog]

I was aware of him first as Thomas Cramner in "The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth" and "Elizabeth R"
A great actor.

[BBMmk2]

I remember BH in Colditz very well, also in The Secret War and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. RIP

[Conchis]

A huge body of film and television work - marvellous actor. I watched Tinker Tailor and Smiley's People (where he moves up the billing) only recently. Among so much else, a great turn as a washed-up actor-manager in a 1998 episode of Midsomer Murders, in a fedora hat with outsize brim. I've just finished a re-read of Adam Sisman's biog of John Le Carré - the BBC threw a grand lunch for cast and crew shortly before TTSS went out. All were there, drinking champagne, except Hepton - Alec Guinness was becoming impatient, thinking Hepton was being deliberately late. Eventually he arrived, wearing a green tailored suit. "Oh Bernard, you came as a frog", said Guinness. But they went on to work splendidly together in Smiley's People.

Having read Alec Guinness's published (and, no doubt, heavily expurgated) Diaries as well as Piers Paul Read's official biography, I am very glad I never met the man. He sounded utterly loathsome and creepy.

Bernard Hepton was a marvellously self-effacing actor who always left an impression with the need for any grandstanding. For some reason, I'm always reminded of his performance in I, Claudius - as are many people, as it turns out from the spontaneous obituaries I've been reading.

[LMcD]

I remember BH in Colditz very well, also in The Secret War and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. RIP

I don't remember 'The Secret War', did you perhaps mean 'Secret Army'?

[cloughie]

Having read Alec Guinness's published (and, no doubt, heavily expurgated) Diaries as well as Piers Paul Read's official biography, I am very glad I never met the man. He sounded utterly loathsome and creepy.

Bernard Hepton was a marvellously self-effacing actor who always left an impression with the need for any grandstanding. For some reason, I'm always reminded of his performance in I, Claudius - as are many people, as it turns out from the spontaneous obituaries I've been reading.

Not keen then Conchis?

[Serial_Apologist]

Ah yes - the well-turned out "Magyar" in TTSS.