Richard Beale obit

Obituary - Richard Beale, actor who starred in EastEnders

 

He was not on the list.

RICHARD Beale, who has died aged 96, was a stocky, dependable character actor whose career spanned five decades. A distinctive presence, his rich voice and strong features were recognisable to audiences even if his name was not. A year in EastEnders (1990-91 as veteran market trader Jackie Stone) cemented the viewer’s impression that they had probably seen him in something somewhere.

He was born Richard Henry Beale, the eldest of three sons of print business owner Henry and his wife Constance. Joining the Navy in 1940, he rose from being a rating to having his own command by the end of the Second World War: Lieutenant Beale was mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in 1945.

For ten years he worked at his father’s firm before following his dream and becoming an actor, whereafter he was rarely short of work. Early roles in nautical films like The Battle of the River Plate (1956), A Night to Remember (1958) and Sink the Bismark! (1960) benefitted from his wartime experience.

His theatre career began in Bristol, and he enjoyed stints at the Traverse, Edinburgh (1980) and as Julius Caesar for the National Theatre at the Young Vic (1972, with Nigel Hawthorne as Brutus). He cut his teeth on the small screen in the tense arena of live television and became an asset to directors like Rex Tucker and Michael E Briant who used him again and again. Early recurring parts included the stableman Hippolyte (good casting as he was a skilled rider with a love of horses) in Madame Bovary (1964) and a detective in the soap opera Compact (1963-64).

His deeply textured voice found him playing a benevolent invisible alien opposite William Hartnell’s Doctor Who in The Ark (1966) which was to be the first of four credits on the iconic show. Alongside staple fare such as Dr Finlay’s Casebook (1970), Z-Cars (1972, 1974) Dixon of Dock Green (1975), and The Onedin Line (1978) he was in the high profile BBC productions of War and Peace (1973, with Anthony Hopkins), The Prince and the Pauper (1976, with Nicholas Lyndhurst in the dual role), A Horseman Riding By (1978), and The Life and Times of David Lloyd George (as Lord Kitchener, 1981).

He worked opposite three different interpretations of Long John Silver, playing Captain Smollett in the BBC’s Treasure Island (1977, with Alfred Burke), the same role in an otherwise unrelated Return to Treasure Island (with Brian Blessed for Disney, 1986), and Mr Arrow in the 1990 TV Movie with Charlton Heston.

He was in the film A Handful of Dust with Kristin Scott Thomas (1988) but despite a busy time on screen in the early 2000s - including Teachers (2004) and Afterlife (2005) both with Andrew Lincoln - he eventually retired to spend more time with his boat, racing and sailing single handedly until 2010. Thereafter he remained as physically active and mentally sharp as ever, engaging with political issues by writing to his local paper or contributing to the BBC’s Any Answers. His evocative and well written memoir of his time in the navy, One Man’s War, was published by Bloomsbury in 2015.

His marriage to German born Anne ended in divorce: he is survived by their two children Anya and Tom.

Actor

Afterlife (2005)

Afterlife

7.9

TV Series

Mr. Keyhoe

2005

1 episode

 

Teachers (2001)

Teachers

7.8

TV Series

Charlie

2004

1 episode

 

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.1

TV Series

Geoff Slavin

2004

1 episode

 

The Young Visiters (2003)

The Young Visiters

6.8

TV Movie

Middle Aged Man

2003

 

All About Me (2002)

All About Me

4.7

TV Series

Local

2002

1 episode

 

Aka Albert Walker (2002)

Aka Albert Walker

6.6

TV Movie

Capt. Wichtar

2002

 

Peak Practice (1993)

Peak Practice

6.4

TV Series

Julian Rankin

2002

1 episode

 

Down to Earth (2000)

Down to Earth

6.8

TV Series

Mr. Furze

2001

1 episode

 

The Sins (2000)

The Sins

7.2

TV Mini Series

Daniel Kramerenko

2000

1 episode

 

Food of Love (1997)

Food of Love

4.7

William

1997

 

Family Money (1996)

Family Money

6.8

TV Series

Steve

1997

1 episode

 

Amanda Redman in Beck (1996)

Beck

7.0

TV Series

John Doyle

1996

1 episode

 

Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, Mark Wingett, and Delia Swan in The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Geoffrey Rowley

Walter Lepore

Sam Hiller ...

1988–1996

5 episodes

 

Ian McShane in Lovejoy (1986)

Lovejoy

7.9

TV Series

Mervyn The Fisherman

1994

1 episode

 

David Jason in A Touch of Frost (1992)

A Touch of Frost

7.9

TV Series

Mr Proctor

1994

1 episode

 

Hedd Wyn (1992)

Hedd Wyn

7.1

Army Representative

1992

 

EastEnders (1985)

EastEnders

4.7

TV Series

Jackie Stone

Jackie

1990–1991

21 episodes

 

David Suchet in Poirot (1989)

Poirot

8.6

TV Series

Merritt

1990

1 episode

 

Treasure Island (1990)

Treasure Island

7.0

TV Movie

Mr. Arrow

1990

 

Woof! (1989)

Woof!

7.1

TV Series

Master of Fox Hounds

1989

1 episode

 

Chelworth (1989)

Chelworth

7.9

TV Mini Series

Stan Minton

1989

1 episode

 

Everyman (1977)

Everyman

7.9

TV Series

Dutch émigré

1989

1 episode

 

Storyboard (1983)

Storyboard

7.5

TV Series

Krane

1989

1 episode

 

David Jason and Gwen Taylor in A Bit of a Do (1989)

A Bit of a Do

7.1

TV Series

Lester Griddle

1989

1 episode

 

Witness

TV Series

Grandad

1988

1 episode

 

Blind Justice (1988)

Blind Justice

7.5

TV Mini Series

Saville

1988

1 episode

 

Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)

A Handful of Dust

6.6

Ben

1988

 

Worlds Beyond (1986)

Worlds Beyond

6.7

TV Series

George

1987

1 episode

 

Yesterday's Dreams (1987)

Yesterday's Dreams

8.0

TV Series

Mr. Endall

1987

1 episode

 

Brian Blessed and Christopher Guard in Return to Treasure Island (1986)

Return to Treasure Island

8.3

TV Mini Series

Captain Smollett

1986

4 episodes

 

The Tripods (1984)

The Tripods

7.4

TV Series

Ulf

1985

2 episodes

 

Leslie Ash, Jill Gascoine, and Rosalyn Landor in C.A.T.S. Eyes (1985)

C.A.T.S. Eyes

6.4

TV Series

Prinley

1985

2 episodes

 

Rob Heyland in One by One (1984)

One by One

7.8

TV Series

Mr. White

1985

1 episode

 

Colin Firth and Greta Scacchi in Camille (1984)

Camille

6.2

TV Movie

Farmer

1984

 

Suzanna Hamilton in A Pattern of Roses (1983)

A Pattern of Roses

6.0

TV Movie

Mr. Pettigrew, The Past

1983

 

Death of an Expert Witness (1983)

Death of an Expert Witness

7.4

TV Mini Series

Mr. Bidwell

1983

1 episode

 

The Plot to Murder Lloyd George

TV Movie

Bill Wheeldon

1983

 

Terence Alexander, Sean Arnold, Annette Badland, Deborah Grant, Lindsay Heath, Celia Imrie, David Kershaw, Geoffrey Leesley, Thérèse Liotard, Nancy Mansfield, Tony Melody, John Nettles, Cécile Paoli, John Telfer, and Mela White in Bergerac (1981)

Bergerac

6.9

TV Series

Bank Manager

1983

1 episode

 

Don Henderson, Diane Keen, Peter Sallis, and Don Warrington in Crown Court (1972)

Crown Court

7.3

TV Series

Station Officer Blackstone

1983

1 episode

 

Noah Beery Jr., Karen Austin, Perry King, and Ray Vitte in The Quest (1982)

The Quest

7.4

TV Series

(as Richard H. Beale)

1982

1 episode

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

Captain Bulteel

Police Major

1975–1981

2 episodes

 

Prisoners of Conscience (1981)

Prisoners of Conscience

TV Series

KGB man

1981

1 episode

 

Paul Daneman and Nanette Newman in Stay with Me Till Morning (1981)

Stay with Me Till Morning

6.5

TV Series

Jesse Thomas

1981

1 episode

 

Philip Madoc in The Life and Times of David Lloyd George (1981)

The Life and Times of David Lloyd George

8.4

TV Mini Series

Lord Kitchener

1981

1 episode

 

Love in a Cold Climate (1980)

Love in a Cold Climate

7.6

TV Mini Series

Josh

1980

2 episodes

 

Escape (1980)

Escape

TV Series

Colonel

1980

1 episode

 

The Legend of King Arthur (1979)

The Legend of King Arthur

7.7

TV Series

Ector

1979

1 episode

 

Jan Francis, Juliet Hammond, Terrence Hardiman, Bernard Hepton, Angela Richards, Clifford Rose, and Stephen Yardley in Secret Army (1977)

Secret Army

8.5

TV Series

Inspector Benet

1979

2 episodes

 

Emmerdale Farm (1972)

Emmerdale Farm

4.8

TV Series

Tober Moore

1979

6 episodes

 

Nigel Havers in A Horseman Riding By (1978)

A Horseman Riding By

7.5

TV Series

Edward Derwent

1978

6 episodes

 

Peter Gilmore and Anne Stallybrass in The Onedin Line (1971)

The Onedin Line

7.6

TV Series

Captain Barrie

1978

1 episode

 

Jan Chappell, Paul Darrow, David Jackson, Michael Keating, Sally Knyvette, Jacqueline Pearce, and Gareth Thomas in Blake's 7 (1978)

Blake's 7

8.0

TV Series

Saymon

1978

1 episode

 

The Four Feathers (1978)

The Four Feathers

6.4

TV Movie

Wembol (valet)

1978

 

Treasure Island (1977)

Treasure Island

7.2

TV Mini Series

Capt. Smollett

1977

3 episodes

 

The Duchess of Duke Street (1976)

The Duchess of Duke Street

8.2

TV Series

Mr. Caper

1977

1 episode

 

Ian Hendry, Carole Mowlam, and Maureen Pryor in The Sunday Drama (1977)

The Sunday Drama

5.0

TV Series

Cubby

Straker

1977

2 episodes

 

Backs to the Land (1977)

Backs to the Land

6.4

TV Series

Jim

1977

1 episode

 

The Expert (1968)

The Expert

8.1

TV Series

Brewster

1976

1 episode

 

Can You Keep a Secret

TV Movie

Mr. Hodge

1976

 

Jack Shepherd in Bill Brand (1976)

Bill Brand

7.6

TV Mini Series

Preen

1976

1 episode

 

Gerald Harper in Hadleigh (1969)

Hadleigh

7.4

TV Series

Perlberger

1976

1 episode

 

Alison Steadman in Red Letter Day (1976)

Red Letter Day

6.8

TV Series

Tommy Stewart

1976

1 episode

 

The Prince and the Pauper (1976)

The Prince and the Pauper

7.2

TV Series

Lord Elyot

1976

3 episodes

 

Madame Bovary (1975)

Madame Bovary

7.2

TV Mini Series

M. Rouault

1975

1 episode

 

Jack Warner in Dixon of Dock Green (1955)

Dixon of Dock Green

6.9

TV Series

Fred Gilbraithe

1975

1 episode

 

Horizon (1964)

Horizon

8.6

TV Series

Lysenko's father

1974

1 episode

 

The Case of Eliza Armstrong (1974)

The Case of Eliza Armstrong

TV Series

Mr. Armstrong

1974

1 episode

 

Anthony Valentine, Margaret Lockwood, and John Stone in Justice (1971)

Justice

7.6

TV Series

Mr. Feltham

1974

1 episode

 

Sam (1973)

Sam

8.1

TV Series

Norrie Bagueley

Wilf

1973–1974

2 episodes

 

Norman Wisdom in A Little Bit of Wisdom (1974)

A Little Bit of Wisdom

7.1

TV Series

Welshman

1974

1 episode

 

Fulton Mackay, Patrick Mower, Derren Nesbitt, Wensley Pithey, and George Sewell in Special Branch (1969)

Special Branch

7.4

TV Series

Commander Glover

1974

2 episodes

 

James Ellis, John Slater, and Gary Watson in Z Cars (1962)

Z Cars

7.0

TV Series

Bordman

Peters

1972–1974

2 episodes

 

Stratford Johns in Barlow at Large (1971)

Barlow at Large

6.8

TV Series

Murray

1974

1 episode

 

Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, William Hartnell, Sylvester McCoy, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who (1963)

Doctor Who

8.4

TV Series

Minister of Ecology

Broadcaster

Propaganda Seller ...

1966–1973

10 episodes

 

Anthony Hopkins in War & Peace (1972)

War & Peace

8.2

TV Series

Hetman

1973

1 episode

 

Cranford (1972)

Cranford

8.5

TV Series

Mr Penny

1972

1 episode

 

Clouds of Witness (1972)

Clouds of Witness

8.0

TV Mini Series

Dr. Thorpe

1972

1 episode

 

Jude the Obscure (1971)

Jude the Obscure

7.7

TV Mini Series

Chivers

1971

1 episode

 

The Roads to Freedom (1970)

The Roads to Freedom

8.2

TV Mini Series

Locksmith

1970

1 episode

 

BBC Play of the Month (1965)

BBC Play of the Month

6.7

TV Series

Workman

1970

1 episode

 

Norman Bowler, Walter Gotell, Stratford Johns, and Frank Windsor in Softly Softly: Task Force (1969)

Softly Softly: Task Force

7.2

TV Series

Harry

1970

1 episode

 

Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1962)

Dr. Finlay's Casebook

7.7

TV Series

William March

1970

1 episode

 

Pauline Collins, Jonathan Elsom, and Martin Shaw in The Mating Machine (1970)

The Mating Machine

TV Series

Political speaker

1970

1 episode

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

6.0

TV Series

Henry

1969

1 episode

 

Elaine Taylor in Sinister Street (1969)

Sinister Street

TV Mini Series

Priest

1969

1 episode

 

Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, and Mary Ure in Where Eagles Dare (1968)

Where Eagles Dare

7.6

Telephone Orderly (uncredited)

1968

 

Sonia Dresdel and Noel Willman in The Man in the Iron Mask (1968)

The Man in the Iron Mask

7.2

TV Series

M. Colbert

1968

5 episodes

 

Fay Compton in Sanctuary (1967)

Sanctuary

8.0

TV Series

Doctor

1968

1 episode

 

ITV Playhouse (1967)

ITV Playhouse

6.9

TV Series

Domingo Marin

1967

1 episode

 

The Paradise Makers

TV Series

Guest

1967

1 episode

 

Vendetta (1966)

Vendetta

8.0

TV Series

Billy Hunter

1966

1 episode

 

Valerie Gearon and David Sumner in Eugenie Grandet (1965)

Eugenie Grandet

TV Mini Series

Cornoiller

1965–1966

2 episodes

 

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1965)

For Whom the Bell Tolls

8.2

TV Series

Anselmo

1965

4 episodes

 

The Ipcress File (1965)

The Ipcress File

7.2

Security Clerk (uncredited)

1965

 

Gideon C.I.D. (1964)

Gideon C.I.D.

8.1

TV Series

Captain Vanner

1964

1 episode

 

Compact (1962)

Compact

6.8

TV Series

Detective Inspector Birling

Detective Sergeant Birling

1963–1964

8 episodes

 

Peter Cushing in The Caves of Steel (1964)

Story Parade

5.3

TV Series

Controller

1964

1 episode

 

Glynn Edwards and Nyree Dawn Porter in Madame Bovary (1964)

Madame Bovary

5.8

TV Series

Hippolyte

1964

3 episodes

 

The Flood (1963)

The Flood

6.3

Grout

1963

 

John Gregson in First Night (1963)

First Night

8.3

TV Series

Countryman

1963

1 episode

 

Moonstrike (1963)

Moonstrike

8.5

TV Series

First Resistance Man

1963

1 episode

 

Probation Officer (1959)

Probation Officer

7.3

TV Series

Assistant Jailer

1960

2 episodes

 

ITV Sunday Night Drama (1959)

ITV Sunday Night Drama

7.1

TV Series

Overseer

1960

1 episode

 

Sink the Bismarck! (1960)

Sink the Bismarck!

7.2

Petty Officer in Phone Montage (uncredited)

1960

 

Private Investigator

TV Series

Joe

Sooty Myers

1958–1959

2 episodes

 

The Life and Death of Sir John Falstaff

TV Series

1959

1 episode

 

A Night to Remember (1958)

A Night to Remember

7.9

Harbor Pilot (uncredited)

1958

 

Black Furrow

TV Movie

Mick

1958

 

Macbeth

TV Mini Series

First Murderer

1958

2 episodes

 

Escape

5.6

TV Series

Duggie

1957

2 episodes

 

Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956)

Pursuit of the Graf Spee

6.6

Capt. Pottinger (uncredited)

1956