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Christopher Malcolm

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Christopher Malcolm
Born(1946-08-19)19 August 1946
Aberdeen, Scotland
Died15 February 2014(2014-02-15) (aged 67)
London, England
Occupation(s)Actor, producer, director
Years active1968–2011
SpouseJudy Malcolm
Children3

Christopher Malcolm (19 August 1946 – 15 February 2014) was a Scottish-Canadian actor and theatrical producer. He first achieved notoriety for his role as Brad Majors in the original stage production of The Rocky Horror Show.

Early life and education

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Malcolm was born in Aberdeen and was brought up in Canada after his family emigrated to British Columbia in the late 1940s. He attended the University of British Columbia, where he worked and studied theatre.

Career

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After university, he returned to the UK and began his professional career with the Royal Shakespeare Company (1966–68). He appeared in at least ten productions and worked with directors including Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn and John Barton. Throughout the 1970s, he worked continuously in theatre and film, appearing in many Royal Court productions including the award-winning musical, The Rocky Horror Show creating the role of Brad Majors.[1] He appeared in films including The Empire Strikes Back (as Zev Senesca, the Alliance pilot who locates and rescues the stranded Luke Skywalker and Han Solo on planet Hoth), Reds, Ragtime, Superman III, Labyrinth, and Highlander.[2]

In 1978, Malcolm began his producing career with Pal Joey, which was successfully transferred to the West End in 1980 and was nominated for best Musical Revival in the Laurence Olivier Awards. He followed this success with the Best Comedy award in 1981 for Nell Dunn's Steaming, which went on to play for two years at the Comedy Theatre and around the world.[3][4] Other productions in London included Frankie and Johnny, When I Was A Young Girl I Used To Scream And Shout, as well as five Steven Berkoff plays, including Decadence, Greek and Metamorphosis.[5] in 1983 he appeared in Only Fools and Horses as axe murderer Charles Winters. Malcolm also played the role of the café owner in The Comic Strip's 1984 film "A Fistful of Traveller's Cheques".[6]

In 1990, Malcolm co-produced a new production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Piccadilly Theatre, in partnership with Howard Panter of the Ambassador Theatre Group.[7] This Olivier nominated production went on to huge success throughout the UK, enjoying 4 nationwide tours over the next 10 years as well as many productions throughout the world. He oversaw these productions on behalf of The Rocky Horror Company Ltd, a company formed by the producers and the play's author Richard O'Brien to look after this much loved musical.[8] The show finally reached Broadway in 2000 in a Tony Award-nominated production co-produced with Jordan Roth Productions at the Circle in the Square theatre.[9]

Other British productions throughout this time include The Pajama Game, Footloose the Musical, and the award-winning Single Spies written by Alan Bennett which had a very successful year at the Queen's Theatre. He co-produced the world premiere of Flashdance The Musical which premiered at the Plymouth Theatre Royal in 2008, toured the UK and presented at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2010. The final show he produced was 'Oh! What a Lovely War!' at Stratford East which was directed by Terry Johnson and opened in January 2014 to critical acclaim. He had maintained his interest in acting as well, appearing on 11 episodes of Absolutely Fabulous as Saffy's father, Justin, and in the BBC2 film, Daphne as Nelson Doubleday.[10][11]

Personal life

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Malcolm lived in London with his wife Judy Lloyd, an actress. They had three children, Nell, Morgan, and Marlon.[5]

His daughter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm reported his death from cancer, aged 67, on 15 February 2014, via Twitter.[12]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1968 A Midsummer Night's Dream Attendant
1969 The Desperados Gregg
1970 Figures in a Landscape Helicopter observer
1971 Welcome to the Club Pvt. Henry Hoe
1972 The Adventures of Barry McKenzie Sean [5]
1975 The Spiral Staircase Policeman
1977 The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It The Other CIA Man
1978 Force 10 from Navarone Rogers
1979 The Great Riviera Bank Robbery Serge [5]
1980 The Empire Strikes Back Zev Senesca (Rogue 2) [2]
The Dogs of War Baker
1981 Shock Treatment Vance Parker
Ragtime Police Captain No. 2 [7]
Reds C.L.P. Party member [5]
1983 Superman III 1st Miner [7]
1984 Lassiter Quaid
1985 King David Doeg
Rustlers' Rhapsody Jud
Spies Like Us Jumpmaster
1986 Highlander Kirk Matunas [2]
Labyrinth Robert [2]
1987 Eat the Rich Steinbeck
1988 Whoops Apocalypse Gallagher

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1969 Strange Report Slaon 1 episode, "Report 3906: Cover Girls - Last Year's Model"
1971 ITV Playhouse The first officer 1 episode "The Switch"
Justice Farrer 1 episode "People Have Too Many Rights"
1972 The Protectors Malloy 1 episode, "Disappearing Trick"
1973 Diamonds on Wheels Jock Television Movie
Harriet's Back in Town Benjamin Finch 2 episodes
1974 Disneyland Jock 3 episodes, "Diamonds on Wheels"
1975 Thriller Hank 1 episode, "Won't Write Home Mom – I'm Dead"
Edward the Seventh American Attaché 1 episode, "The New World"
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow The Yank Television Movie
1976 Second Verdict Mullaly 1 episode, "Lizzie Borden"
1977 Raffles Barney Maguire 1 episode, "A Trap to "Catch a Cracksman"
1980 Play for Today Matt 1 episode, "Instant Enlightenment Including VAT"
Oppenheimer Steve Nelson 2 episodes
1982 Whoops Apocalypse Motorcycle Cop 1 episode, "How To Get Rid of It"
We'll Meet Again  Master Sgt. Mac McGraw 10 episodes
Beau Geste Hank 5 episodes
1983 The Last Day American at Airport Television Movie
Only Fools and Horses Charles Winters, the Axe Murderer 1 episode, Friday the 14th
1984–1990 The Comic Strip Brother-in-law, Cafe Owner 2 episodes [13]
1986 The Daily Woman Max Callisher Television Movie
The Last Days of Patton Maj. Ken Morgan (Hospital PAO) Television Movie
The Ted Kennedy Jr. Story Ben Gibbs Television Movie
1987 Pulaski Tony 1 episode, "The Lone Granger"
1988 War and Remembrance Bunky Thurston 2 episodes
1992–1994 Firm Friends Eddie Vincent 2 episodes
1992–2011 Absolutely Fabulous Justin 11 episodes (final appearance) [7]
1994 Lovejoy Texas Greenberg 1 episode [7]
1996 Over Here Murphy Television Movie
2007 Daphne Nelson Doubleday Television Movie [14]

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary: Christopher Malcolm, actor and producer". www.scotsman.com.
  2. ^ a b c d "Christopher Malcolm, Rocky Horror's Brad, dies aged 67". BBC News. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Olivier Winners 1981". Olivier Awards.
  4. ^ "Christopher Malcolm – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e Michael Coveney (17 February 2014). "Christopher Malcolm obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Christopher Malcolm". www.aveleyman.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e Jenn Selby (18 February 2014). "Christopher Malcolm dead: Tributes flood in for late Star Wars and Rocky Horror Show actor, who died aged 67". independent.co.uk. The Independent. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  8. ^ "The Rocky Horror Company, Ltd. – Broadway Organization | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  9. ^ "The Rocky Horror Show – Broadway Musical – 2000 Revival | IBDB".
  10. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2003) Credits". www.screenonline.org.uk.
  11. ^ "Daphne (2007)" – via www.blu-ray.com.
  12. ^ "Christopher Malcolm From The Empire Strikes Back & Labyrinth Dies Age 67". The Bearded Trio. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  13. ^ Mark Newbold (18 February 2014). "Christopher Malcolm dies aged 67: Remembering the Empire Strikes Back actor". metro.co.uk. Metro. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Daphne (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes.
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