Ian Hendry

Ian Mackendrick Hendry (13 January 1931 – 24 December 1984) was an English actor. He worked on several British TV series of the 1960s and 1970s, including the lead in the first series of The Avengers and The Lotus Eaters. He was nominated for two BAFTA Awards for his film work: Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles for Live Now – Pay Later and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Get Carter (1971).

His other notable film appearances included The Hill (1965), Repulsion (also 1965), Doppelgänger (1969), Tales from The Crypt (1972), Theatre of Blood (1973), and The Passenger (1975). The latter part of his career was tempered by personal and financial issues, which led him to declare bankruptcy in 1978.

Early years Hendry was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, on 13 January 1931. His mother, Enid (née Rushton), was born in Durham in 1906. His father, James Hendry, was born in 1901 in Glasgow where he graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of Glasgow before moving to Ipswich in 1924 to take up a graduate position with R & W Paul Ltd. His grandfather, George Rushton, was an artist and Head of the Ipswich Art School (1906–1929).

Hendry's younger brother, Donald, was born on 15 August 1933. They were both educated at the Ipswich School and Culford School, Suffolk. At Culford School, Hendry took an interest in sport, particularly boxing, cricket, running and rugby. He was also involved in amateur dramatics at Culford, where he helped to produce and performed in several school plays.

Career 1947–1953: career choices and national service On leaving school in 1947, aged 16, Hendry studied at the College of Estate Management in London. In 1948, he spent a year working for Bidwells at their Cambridge office. In 1949, he began his National Service as part of the programme of conscription in the United Kingdom introduced after World War II. He spent two years with the 32nd Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, during which time he paced for Christopher Chataway in athletics and ran a motorcycle stunt team. On completing his national service he returned to work in estate management at Bidwells London office in Edgware. During this period, Hendry re-established his interest in acting, becoming involved in amateur theatre through a local amateur dramatics group in Edgware.

1953–1955: Central School of Speech and Drama By 1953, Hendry had decided to change his career and follow his ambition to become an actor. In late 1952, he applied to and was accepted for the Central School of Speech and Drama, London. He trained there from 1953 to 1955. His contemporaries at the school included Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave, both two years below him; Wanda Ventham, his future co-star in the series The Lotus Eaters, who was in the year below; and Jeremy Brett and Wendy Craig, who were in the year above him.

1955–1959: theatre, television and film work Hendry's professional acting career began in 1955, working in repertory at the Hornchurch Theatre in Station Lane. He appeared in Goldoni's Servant of Two Masters at the Edinburgh Festival. In 1957, Hendry spent another season in repertory, performing in several plays at the Oxford Playhouse, Oxford. In December 1957, Dinner with the Family transferred to the West End, playing at the New Theatre, London.

As his career developed, he gained parts in films including Up in the World (1956), The Secret Place (1957) and Room at the Top (1959).

1960–1969: theatre, television and film work In 1960, Hendry had a part in Sink the Bismarck! (1960). He then played the lead role of Dr Geoffrey Brent in the 12 episode crime series Police Surgeon. Hendry was next cast in the similar role of Dr David Keel in the action-adventure series The Avengers. Initially, Hendry was the star of this series, which co-starred Patrick Macnee as John Steed. However, production of the first season was curtailed by a strike and Hendry used the opportunity to depart the series and begin a film career – The Avengers continued with Macnee as its lead.

Hendry had lead roles in several films; Live Now – Pay Later (1962), Girl in the Headlines (1963), This is My Street (1964), The Hill (1965) opposite Sean Connery, and Roman Polanski's Repulsion (1965). He starred in Gerry Anderson's film, Doppelgänger (1969), also known as Journey to the Far Side of the Sun. During the 1960s he appeared in TV series such as Armchair Theatre, Danger Man, The Saint and The Gold Robbers. He played the lead role as disbarred Queen's Counsel Alex Lambert in the TV series The Informer (1966–67).

1970–1979: theatre, television and film work In the early 1970s, Hendry had lead roles in several TV series including The Adventures of Don Quick (1970) and The Lotus Eaters (1972–73). He guest starred, alongside Brian Blessed, in the first episode of The Sweeney, titled "Ringer", made in 1974 and broadcast early in 1975. He appeared regularly as a guest star in TV series including The Persuaders!, Dial M for Murder, Churchill's People, Thriller, Van der Valk, Supernatural, Crown Court, The Enigma Files, Bergerac and The Chinese Detective. Hendry was reunited with Patrick Macnee as a guest star on The New Avengers, although he did not reprise the role of David Keel. His previous role in the series was acknowledged, however, by Steed's parting words: "It may be seventeen years late, but welcome back Gunner." (Season 1, Ep. 7 "To catch a rat").

Towards the end of the decade Hendry appeared as a former SAS Trooper and convict Roy Gates in the Return of the Saint episode "Yesterday's Hero."

He appeared in a number of films, including the Hammer entry Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter (1974). Among the more widely seen films he appeared in during this time were Get Carter (1971), for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor, Theatre of Blood (1973) opposite Vincent Price, The Passenger (1975) and Damien - Omen II (1978).

1980–1984: television and film work

Hendry starred opposite Nyree Dawn Porter in the TV series For Maddie with Love (1980). In 1980 Hendry appeared in the film McVicar based on the life of the bank robber John McVicar (played by Roger Daltrey of rock band The Who). Towards the end of his life he had a role in the crime series Jemima Shore Investigates as the eponymous heroine's literary agent.

His final TV role was in 1984 in the Channel Four soap opera Brookside, playing Davey Jones, father of Petra Taylor, Marie Jackson and Michelle Jones.

Later years Hendry was declared bankrupt in the late 1970s. He suffered from several health problems in his latter years, largely due to the long-term alcoholism which affected his professional and personal life. Gerry Anderson recalled in his biography that Hendry "was always drinking", and was intoxicated during the filming of Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969).

His last part in a film was a substantial, though uncredited, role as a corrupt policeman in McVicar (1980).

His last public appearance was as a guest on an October 1984 episode of This Is Your Life which profiled his former Avengers co-star Patrick Macnee, who had been a special guest when This Is Your Life featured Hendry in March 1978.

Personal life

Hendry's first marriage was to Phyllis Joanna Bell, née Chaddock, in September 1955. She worked as a make-up artist for Leichner. The marriage ended in 1962. On 16 February 1963, Hendry married actress Janet Munro, whom he met making Afternoon of a Nymph on TV. They had two daughters, Sally and Corrie, but their turbulent life together ended in divorce in 1971. Munro died a year later in London from the heart condition myocarditis. This was a contributory factor in Hendry's increasing alcoholism. Hendry later married Sandra (Sandy) Jones on 27 May 1975; they had a daughter, Emma. This Is My Street Harry King The Beauty Jungle Don Mackenzie

Repulsion Michael The Hill Staff-Sergeant Williams 1966 The Sandwich Man Motorcycle Policeman

Casino Royale Hitman Role deleted Traitors of San Angel Nick Thomas

Cry Wolf Hobson The Southern Star Karl Journey to the Far Side of the Sun John Kane 1970 The McKenzie Break Major Perry 1971 Get Carter Eric Paice

The Jerusalem File General Mayer Tales from The Crypt Carl Maitland All Coppers Are... Sonny Wade

Theatre of Blood Peregrine Devlin Assassin The Assassin

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter Kerro The Internecine Project Alex Hellman 1975 The Passenger Martin Knight 1976 Intimate Games Uncle Rodney 1978 Damien - Omen II Michael Morgan Uncredited 1979 The Bitch Thrush Feather 1980 McVicar Hitchens Uncredited

Television Year Title Role Notes 1956 Calling All Boys Mr. X TV series (all or some episodes) As Others See Us Husband TV series (1 episode, 20/11/56) 1958 Emergency Ward 10 Mr. Clarke TV series (8 episodes) 1958–59 Murder Bag Various TV series (Episodes: 2.2: Lockhart Bags a Brooch (7/7/58) – unknown; 2.21: Lockhart Pulls The Trigger (19/11/58) – unknown; 2.32: Lockhart Visits a Hospital (5/2/59) – Doctor) Television Playwright Tony TV series (Episode 1.30: Walk on the Grass)1959BBC Sunday-Night TheatreLeading Seaman DemburyTV series (Episode 10.1: The Stone Ship) The Invisible Man Lt. Daniels TV series (Episode 2.12: Shadow Bomb) Crime Sheet Not known TV series (Episode 1.19: Lockhart Has It in Store (12/8/59)) 1960 Inside Story Peter TV series (Episode 1.7, Return to Base) Probation Officer Christopher Stamp TV series (Episode 1.37) Police Surgeon Dr. Geoffrey Brent TV series (all 13 episodes) 1961 The Avengers Dr. David Keel TV series (Season 1: 25 of 26 episodes) 1962 The Ginger Man Sebastian Balfe Dangerfield TV film BBC Sunday-Night Play Morgan Delt TV plays (Play: A Suitable Case for Treatment) 1962–63 Armchair Theatre David SimpsonRichard Bligh Afternoon of a NymphA Cold Peace 1963 Drama 61-67 Harry Barnes TV series (Drama 63: 54 Minute Affair) 1965 Danger Man (US title: Secret Agent) Wallace/Hagen TV series (Episode 3.13: Say it with Flowers) 1965–66 Blackmail Various TV series (Episode 1.8: The Case of the Phantom Lover – Steve Keen; Episode 2.11: The Man Who Could See – Ronnie Wade) 1966 Preview Tonight Angus TV series (Episode 1.4: Roaring Camp) 1966–67 The Informer Alex Lambert TV series (all 21 episodes) 1967 ITV Play of the Week Paul Du Pre TV plays (Play: The Crossfire) 1968 Jackanory Narrator TV series (Episodes 504–508) 1969 The Saint Alessandro Destamio TV series (Episodes 6.15 and 6.16: Vendetta for the Saint) The Gold Robbers Tom Goodwin TV mini-series (Episode 1.7: An Oddly Honest Man) 1970 The Adventures of Don Quick Capt. Don Quick TV series (all 6 episodes) 1970 – 72 ITV Playhouse See notes TV plays (Plays: Thursday's Child (1970) – Peter Ware; The High Game (1970) – Paul Venniker; A Splinter of Ice (1972) – Tony) ITV Saturday Night Theatre See notes TV plays (Plays: Dangerous Corner (1970) as Charles Staunton; Love Doesn't Grow on Trees (1971) as Eric Shiffner; A Summer Story (1972) as Nico) 1971 The Persuaders! Lord Croxley TV series (Episode 1.6: The Time and the Place) 1972 Suspicion Freddo Watts TV series (Episode: Old Man's Hat) Joy Ben TV film The Protectors Inspector Wilson TV series (Episode 1.9: Thinkback) The Frighteners Anthony Ashworth TV series (Episode 1.9: Bed and Breakfast) 1972 – 73 The Lotus Eaters Erik Shepherd TV series (all 15 episodes) 1973 Late Night Theatre Dave TV series (Episode: We're Strangers Here) 1974 Dial M for Murder Marvin Stone TV series (Episode 1.2: Contract) 1975 Thriller Bob/Terry Spelling TV series (Episode 4.4: Killer with Two Faces) The Sweeney Dave Brooker TV series (Episode 1.1: Ringer) Churchill's People William Davenant TV series (Episode 1.16: March On, Boys!) Village Hall Wally TV series (Episode 2.7: Battleground) Cooper Officer Bryce TV series (Episodes 1.5 and 1.6) 1976 Shades of Greene The Man TV series (Episode 2.8: Dream of a Strange Land) 1976 Killers Mr. J.D. Cassels, KC TV series (Episodes: 1.4, Murder at the Metropole; 1.3, The Crumbles Murder) The Dick Emery Show Russian agent TV series (Episode 15.2) The New Avengers Irwin Gunner TV series (Episode 1.7: To Catch a Rat) ITV Sunday Night Drama Alex Fleming TV series (Episode: The Goldfinch) 1977 Supernatural Zoltan Vinzenz TV series (Episodes: 1.2, Countess Ilona; 1.3, The Werewolf Reunion) 1977 Van der Valk Boersma TV series (Episode 3.11: Gold Plated Delinquents) 1978 Premiere Nifty TV series (Episode 2.1: Crest of a Wave) Return of the Saint Roy Gates TV series (Episode 1.7: Yesterday's Hero) 1979 Crown Court Frank Edwards TV series (Episodes 8.43–8.45: Cowboy, parts 1 to 3) 1980 The Enigma Files Joe Mackie TV series (Episode 1.5: Investigation of a Copper) For Maddie with Love Malcolm Laurie TV series 1981 The Chinese Detective Eddie Dwyer TV series (Episode 1.6: Ice and Dust) Smuggler Agate TV mini-series (Episode1.11: An Eye for an Eye) Bergerac Major Furneaux TV series (Episode 1.4: Campaign for Silence) 1983 Jemima Shore Investigates Cy TV series (Episodes: 1.5: Dr. Ziegler's Casebook; 1.10 High Style; 1.11: The Damask Collection) 1984 Brookside Davey Jones TV series (Episodes 142–146: Etiquette; King Rat; Tights; Transport; Off)

Radio appearances Year Title RoleNetworkNotes 1969 Unscheduled Stop Robin FiskeBBC Radio 4 An adaptation of Derek Bond's Unscheduled Stop 1971 The Third Man Harry LimeBBC Radio An adaptation of Graham Greene's The Third Man 1973 Desert Island Discs Himself (guest)BBC Radio 1976 Five Roundabouts to Heaven Not knownBBC Radio World Service An adaptation of John Bingham's Five Roundabouts 1978 A Moon for the Misbegotten TyroneBBC Radio 3 A Little Bit of Heaven Gerry MahoodBBC Radio 4 1983 The Price of Silence MaxonBBC Radio

Theatre credits Year Title Role(s) Venue Notes 1951 Ring Round The Moon Hugo/Frederic Edgware Amateur Dramatics Production 1955 Reluctant Heroes Tone Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch Witness for the Prosecution Leonard Vole This Happy Breed Reg Our Town Prof. Willard The Recruiting Officer Constable 1956 The Adventures of Davy Crockett 1957 Paradise Street Mahatma Gandhi Hall, Studio Theatre Club Frost at Midnight Dodger Oxford Playhouse Lysistrata Strymodoros Figure of Fun Freddie The Critic and the Heart Pat Rye The Beaux Stratagem Francis Archer Change in the Wind Charles Auguste The Man Who Came To Dinner Prof. Metz Arlecchino Edinburgh Festival Dinner with the Family Jacques Oxford Playhouse Cambridge Arts Theatre King's Theatre, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Brighton Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh New Theatre, London 1959 Murder on Arrival Steve Taylor Westminster Theatre, London 1960 Hedda Gabler George Tesman Oxford Playhouse 1970 No Exit Joseph Garcin The Bear Grigoriy Smirnov In Camera Joseph Garcin Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon The Bear Grigoriy Smirnov 1976 Motive Wallace Barrows Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Surrey Theatre Royal, Brighton Theatre Royal, Norwich 1977 The Owl and the Pussycat Felix Kings Theatre, Southsea Cambridge Arts Theatre Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 1978 Otherwise Engaged Simon Grand Theatre, Leeds Theatre Royal, Nottingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Lady Windermere's Fan Lord Windermere Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Surrey Theatre Royal, Norwich

Awards and nominations