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Robert Hardy

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1925-10-29

Day of Death

2017-08-03

Place of Birth

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK

Robert Hardy

Biography

One of England's most successful and enduring character actors, with a prolific screen career on television and in films, Robert Hardy was acclaimed for his versatility and the depth of his performances. Born in Cheltenham in 1925, he studied at Oxford University and, in 1949, he joined the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon. Television viewers most fondly remember him as the overbearing Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small (1978) but his most critically acclaimed performance was as the title character of Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981). His portrayal of Britain's wartime leader was so accurately observed that, in the following years, he was called on to reprise the role in such productions as The Woman He Loved (1988) and War and Remembrance (1988). Unlike some British character actors, Hardy was not a Hollywood name and his work in films was therefore restricted to appearances in predominantly British-based productions such as The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) and Sense and Sensibility (1995). However, in the 21st century, Hardy came to the attention of a whole new generation for his performances in the hugely successful Harry Potter films, while also continuing to make regular appearances in British television series. His co-star from All Creatures Great and Small (1978), Peter Davison, quite simply described Hardy as an "extraordinary" actor who would "never do the same thing twice" when he was acting with him. He was awarded the CBE for services to acting. He died in August 2017.

Filmography (78)

No Image
⭐ 0 Role: Donald

Snapshot Wedding

2017
⭐ 5.0 Role: Old Joseph

Joseph's Reel

2015
⭐ 0 Role: Winston Churchill

Churchill: 100 Days That Saved Britain

2015
⭐ 6.9 Role: Self - Interviewee

Narnia's Lost Poet: The Secret Lives and Loves of C.S. Lewis

2013
No Image
⭐ 0 Role: Narrator

Ghosts in the Machine

2009
⭐ 5.8 Role: Willie Whitelaw

Margaret

2009
⭐ 0 Role: George Reynolds (voice)

Centenary: The BP Story

2009
No Image
⭐ 0 Role: Self

Elementary My Dear Viewer

2007
⭐ 7.7 Role: Cornelius Fudge

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2007
⭐ 7.0 Role: Mr. Stiles

Goodbye Mr Snuggles

2006
⭐ 6.4 Role: Judge Murray

Lassie

2005
⭐ 7.8 Role: Cornelius Fudge

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2005
⭐ 6.8 Role: Father Parry

Making Waves

2004
⭐ 8.0 Role: Cornelius Fudge

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2004
⭐ 7.0 Role: Professor Neddy Welch

Lucky Jim

2003