Martin Benson

Martin Benjamin Benson (10 August 1918 – 28 February 2010) was an English actor who appeared in films, theatre and television. His credits include The Strange World of Planet X, Once More, with Feeling! (1959), Exodus (1960), Five Golden Hours (1961), Cleopatra (1963), A Shot in the Dark (1964), Goldfinger (1964), Pope Joan (1972), The Omen (1976), Mohammad, Messenger of God (also 1976), The Sea Wolves (1980), The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981), and Angela's Ashes (1999).

Early life Benson was born in the East End of London, into a Jewish family, the son of a Russian-Jewish grocer and his Polish-Jewish wife who had left Russia at the revolution. After attending Tottenham Grammar School on a scholarship, he served in the 2nd Searchlight, Royal Artillery, during World War II. Stationed in Cairo, Egypt, he and Arthur Lowe founded the repertory company Mercury Theatre in Alexandria.

Appearing in films for over six decades, Benson played mostly supporting characters or villains. Wheel of Fate (1953),

Benson also had an uncredited role in MGM's hit historical film, Ivanhoe,

In 1964, Benson appeared as Mr. Solo, the gangster who is killed by Goldfinger's henchman Oddjob in the James Bond film Goldfinger. In the same year he played the recurring character the Duke de Medici in the children's adventure series Sword of Freedom. In 1960 he appeared in the series Danger Man in the episode entitled "Position of Trust" as Fawzi. In 1981 he appeared in the television production of The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, albeit unrecognisable under the heavy make-up and costume of Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz, leader of the Vogon fleet sent to destroy Earth. His last appearance was in the TV series Casualty in 2005.

Death Benson died in his sleep on 28 February 2010, from natural causes.

Filmography

Film

Television