Michael Hordern

Sir Michael Murray Hordern CBE (3 October 1911 – 2 May 1995) was a celebrated English actor known for his roles in various media, especially stage and film. He made his mark in Shakespeare roles such as King Lear and is remembered for his work in nearly 140 films. Hordern was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, to a family with no theatrical connections and educated at Windlesham House School and Brighton College, where his interest in the theatre developed. After college, he joined an amateur dramatics company and subsequently caught the attention of several influential Shakespearean directors who cast him in minor roles in Othello and Macbeth. During World War II, Hordern served on HMS Illustrious, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander. After demobilisation, he resumed his acting career and television debut.

Hordern came into prominence in the early 1950s when he participated in a theatrical competition at the Arts Theatre in London. This led to a season-long contract at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre where he played major parts including Caliban in The Tempest, Jaques in As You Like It, and Sir Politick Would-Be in Ben Jonson's comedy Volpone. Later in the 1960s, he met British theatre director Jonathan Miller and made several notable performances. Hordern suffered from kidney disease during the 1990s and died from it in 1995 at age 83.