Graham Crowden

Clement Graham Crowden (30 November 1922 – 19 October 2010) was a Scottish actor. He was best known for his many appearances in television comedy dramas and films, often playing eccentric scientist, teacher and doctor characters.

Early life Crowden was born on 30 November 1922 in Edinburgh, the third of four children of University of Edinburgh-educated schoolmaster Harry Graham Crowden (d. 1938) and Anne Margaret (née Paterson). He was educated at Clifton Hall School and the Edinburgh Academy. He served briefly in the Royal Scots Youth Battalion of the army until he was injured in an accident. The sergeant reportedly enquired "What is it now, Crowden?", to which Crowden replied "I think you've shot me, sergeant." In 1994, Crowden played the part of Professor Pollux in the BBC TV adaptation of the John Hadfield novel Love on a Branch Line. Crowden then voiced the role of Mustrum Ridcully in the 1997 animated Cosgrove Hall production of Terry Pratchett's Soul Music.

In 2001, he guest-starred in the Midsomer Murders episode "Ring Out Your Dead" and also played The Marquis of Auld Reekie in The Way We Live Now. Between 2001 and 2002, he played a role in the BBC Radio 4 comedy series The Leopard in Autumn. In 2003, he made a cameo as a sadistic naval school teacher in The Lost Prince. In 2005–2008, he starred in the Radio 4 sci-fi comedy Nebulous as Sir Ronald Rolands. In 2008, he appeared as a guest star in Foyle's War.

Death For many years in later life, Crowden lived in Mill Hill, London. Crowden died on 19 October 2010 in Edinburgh after a short illness, survived by his wife, Phyllida Hewat, whom he married in 1952, a son and three daughters, one of whom, Sarah Crowden, followed him into acting.

Filmography

Television roles + Year Title Role Notes1956 David Copperfield Mr. Gulpidge 1957 Nicholas Nickleby Mr. Pyke 1958 Charlesworth at Large Landlord 1964 HMS Paradise Commander Shaw 1964 Redcap Major Fraser Episode: "The Patrol"1965 Danger Man Commander Braithwaite Episode: "That's Two Of Us Sorry"1965 Edgar Wallace Mysteries Murchie Episode: "Dead Man's Chest 1965 The Sullavan Brothers Mr. Cullinane 1970 Catweazle Gobbling Episode: "The Enchanted King"1971 The Guardians The Dirtiest Man Episode: "The Dirtiest Man in the World"1971 Casanova FeldkirchnerEpisode six: "Golden Apples"1972 His and Hers Bobbie Beresford Episode: "Come Back"1973 The Adventures of Black Beauty Mr. Crevace Episode: "Goodbye Beauty"1974Father BrownColonel BohunEpisode: "The Hammer of God"1975 Porridge Prison Physician Christmas Special – "No Way Out"1977 1990 Dr. Sondeberg Episode: "Decoy"1977 Raffles Sir Arthur Rumbold Episode: "Home Affairs"1979–1980 Doctor Who Soldeed "The Horns of Nimon"1982 The Brack Report Max Challen 1983 Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime Colonel Kingston Bruce "The Affair of the Pink Pearl"1985Bleak House Lord Chancellor 1986–1988 A Very Peculiar Practice Dr. Jock McCannon 1986 All Passion Spent Herbert 1987 Screen Two Headmaster Episode: "East of Ipswich"1990–1994 Waiting for God Tom Ballard All 47 episodes1991 Rumpole of the Bailey Sir Hector MacAuliffe Episode: "Rumpole and the Quacks"1992 The Alleyn Mysteries Sir Henry Ancred Episode: "Final Curtain"1994 Love on a Branch Line Professor Pollux 1996 Gulliver's Travels Professor of Politics 2000 The 10th Kingdom Elderly elf 2001 Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible Professor MacLewton Episode: "Curse of the Blood of the Lizard of Doom"2001 The Way We Live Now The Marquis of Auld Reekie 2002 Midsomer Murders Reggie BartonEpisode: "Ring Out Your Dead"2007 Waking the Dead Sir Cyril Barrett Episode: "Deus ex Machina"2008Foyle's War Sir John Sackville Episode: "Broken Souls"

Film roles + Year Title Role Notes1959 The Bridal Path Man Giving Directions to the Beach Uncredited1961 Don't Bother to Knock Scoutmaster Uncredited1962 We Joined the Navy Uncredited1965 One Way Pendulum Prosecuting Counsel / Caretaker 1966 Morgan - A Suitable Case for Treatment Counsel 1968 If.... History Master: Staff 1969 The File of the Golden Goose Smythe 1969 The Virgin Soldiers Medical Officer 1970 Leo the Last Max 1970 The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer Bishop of Cowley 1971 Percy Alfred Spaulton 1971 The Night Digger Mr. Bolton 1972 Something to Hide Lay Preacher 1971 Up the Chastity Belt Sir Coward de Custard 1972 The Ruling Class Kelso Truscott 1972 The Amazing Mr Blunden Mr. Clutterbuck 1973 O Lucky Man! Stewart / Prof. Millar / Meths Drinker 1973 The Final Programme Dr. Smiles 1974 The Abdication Cardinal Barberini 1974 The Little Prince The General 1974 Romance with a Double Bass Count Alexei 1975 The New Spartans 1977 Hardcore Lord Yardarm 1977 Jabberwocky Fanatics' Leader 1977 Three Dangerous Ladies The Butler (segment "The Island")1981 For Your Eyes Only First Sea Lord 1982 Britannia Hospital Professor Millar 1982 The Missionary The Reverend Fitzbanks 1984 The Company of Wolves Old Priest 1985 Code Name: Emerald Sir Geoffrey Macklin 1985 Out of Africa Lord Belfield 1988 A Handful of Dust Mr. Graceful 1996 The Innocent Sleep George 1998 The Sea Change Chairman of The Board 1998 I Want You Old Man 2002 Possession Sir George 2003 Calendar Girls Richard