Jonathan Miller obit

Sir Jonathan Miller, director and humorist, dies at 85

 

He was not on the list.

Sir Jonathan Miller, the distinguished theatre and opera director who famously starred in the Beyond the Fringe satirical revue, has died aged 85.

In a statement, his family said he had died "peacefully at home... following a long battle with Alzheimer's".

A man of many parts, Miller was also an author, a photographer, a sculptor, a broadcaster and a qualified doctor.

Born in London in 1934, Miller studied medicine at Cambridge before embarking on a career in the arts.

The catalyst was Beyond the Fringe, in which he appeared with Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett.

The groundbreaking revue premiered at the 1960 Edinburgh Festival before transferring to the West End and Broadway.

Its success led to Miller becoming editor and presenter of BBC arts programme Monitor and a director of plays at the National Theatre.

His productions included a modern-dress staging of The Merchant of Venice, with Laurence Olivier as Shylock.

He went on to direct six of the BBC's 1980s Shakespeare productions, among them The Taming of the Shrew with John Cleese and Othello with Anthony Hopkins.

He served as artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre from 1987-90. Despite being unable to read music, he also directed operas for the ENO, Glyndebourne and the Met in New York. Who's Who listed his only recreation as "deep sleep".

'A supreme intellect'

In a tribute, the Royal Opera House's director of opera Oliver Mears said Miller was "one of the most important figures in British theatre and opera of the past half century".

He continued: "Combining a supreme intellect with a consistently irreverent perspective, formed from his experiences in both comedy and medicine, Miller shone a unique light on our art form.

"His intolerance of inauthenticity and laziness on stage was matched by the urgency and rigour of his search for the composer's vision, historical accuracy and psychological truth - resulting in so many productions which have stood the test of time."

The English National Opera added on Twitter: "His contribution to comedy, theatre and ENO in particular was immeasurable. For over four decades Jonathan created some of ENO's most celebrated and popular opera productions."

And the National Theatre described him as "a legendary figure across theatre and opera".

'Creative genius'

Miller, who was knighted in 2002 for services to music and the arts, was witty and erudite but could be cantankerous.

"I've got this, I think, unjustified reputation for being grumpy," he once said, insisting he only objected to "people who are 30 years younger than I am and know 100% less than I do".

Tony Hall, the BBC's director general, said Miller was "a creative genius whose imagination knew no bounds... he brought arts and culture to millions on the BBC".

Monty Python star Eric Idle paid tribute to "the beloved hilarious genius Jonathan Miller", adding that Miller had "dramatically changed my life three times".

He was also remembered by BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Petroc Trelawny as "a polymath and cultural giant" whose "contribution to British cultural life was as varied as it was vast".

Director

Nabucco

Video

Director

2003

 

Anna Bolena

TV Movie

Director

1996

 

Timewatch (1982)

Timewatch

7.6

TV Series

Director

1996

1 episode

 

The Saint Matthew Passion

TV Movie

Director

1994

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.7

TV Series

Director

1988

1 episode

 

Kevin Spacey, Jack Lemmon, Peter Gallagher, and Bethel Leslie in Long Day's Journey Into Night (1987)

Long Day's Journey Into Night

7.2

TV Movie

Director

1987

 

Cosi Fan Tutte (1986)

Cosi Fan Tutte

TV Movie

Director

1986

 

The Beggar's Opera (1983)

The Beggar's Opera

6.2

TV Movie

Director

1983

 

The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978)

The BBC Television Shakespeare

8.2

TV Series

Director (directed by)

1981–1982

6 episodes

 

King Lear (1982)

King Lear

7.6

TV Movie

Director

1982

 

Troilus & Cressida (1981)

Troilus & Cressida

6.5

TV Movie

Director

1981

 

Anthony Hopkins in Othello (1981)

Othello

7.1

TV Movie

Director

1981

 

Antony & Cleopatra (1981)

Antony & Cleopatra

6.3

TV Movie

Director

1981

 

Timon of Athens (1981)

Timon of Athens

7.2

TV Movie

Director

1981

 

The Taming of the Shrew (1980)

The Taming of the Shrew

7.1

TV Movie

Director

1980

 

Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

7.2

TV Movie

stage director

1976

 

BBC Play of the Month (1965)

BBC Play of the Month

6.9

TV Series

Director

1975

1 episode

 

2nd House (1973)

2nd House

5.7

TV Series

Director

1973

1 episode

 

NET Playhouse (1964)

NET Playhouse

7.1

TV Series

Director

1971

1 episode

 

Take a Girl Like You (1970)

Take a Girl Like You

5.5

Director

1970

 

Scotch

Short

Director

1968

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.1

TV Series

Director

1968

1 episode

 

Anne-Marie Mallik in Alice in Wonderland (1966)

Alice in Wonderland

6.7

TV Movie

Director

1966

 

Sunday Night

6.7

TV Series

Director

1965–1966

3 episodes

 

Monitor (1958)

Monitor

8.5

TV Series

Director

1965

1 episode

 

Writer

Children of the Taliban (2023)

Children of the Taliban

8.2

script writer

2023

 

Madness (1991)

Madness

8.7

TV Series

by

1991

5 episodes

 

Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

TV Series

Writer

1990

4 episodes

 

João Magueijo in Equinox (1986)

Equinox

7.3

TV Series

written by

1989

1 episode

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.7

TV Series

adapted by

1988

1 episode

 

The Body in Question (1978)

The Body in Question

8.4

TV Series

Writer

1978–1979

13 episodes

 

Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

7.2

TV Movie

writer

1976

 

NET Playhouse (1964)

NET Playhouse

7.1

TV Series

Writer

1971

1 episode

 

Canvas (1966)

Canvas

TV Series

narrative script

1970

1 episode

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.1

TV Series

adaptation

1968

1 episode

 

From Chekhov with Love

TV Movie

adaptation

1968

 

Anne-Marie Mallik in Alice in Wonderland (1966)

Alice in Wonderland

6.7

TV Movie

teleplay (uncredited)

1966

 

Sunday Night

6.7

TV Series

writercompiled by

1965–1966

3 episodes

 

Profiles in Courage (1964)

Profiles in Courage

8.2

TV Series

written by

1965

1 episode

 

Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, and Jonathan Miller in Beyond the Fringe (1964)

Beyond the Fringe

7.8

TV Special

writer

1964

 

Actor

Sensitive Skin (2005)

Sensitive Skin

7.9

TV Series

Dr. Cass

2005

2 episodes

 

Terminale (1998)

Terminale

4.4

Olivier

1998

 

The Edison Twins (1982)

The Edison Twins

6.9

TV Series

Tony

1986

1 episode

 

Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

7.2

TV Movie

Various

1976

 

On the Margin

TV Series

1966

1 episode

 

One Way Pendulum (1965)

One Way Pendulum

5.7

Kirby

1965

 

Chronicle (1963)

Chronicle

7.4

TV Series

1964

1 episode

 

Producer

Madness (1991)

Madness

8.7

TV Series

producer (uncredited)

1991

5 episodes

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.7

TV Series

producer

1988

1 episode

 

The Mikado or the Town of Titipu (1987)

The Mikado or the Town of Titipu

7.7

TV Movie

producer

1987

 

Cosi Fan Tutte (1986)

Cosi Fan Tutte

TV Movie

producer

1986

 

Brian Protheroe in The Third Part of Henry the Sixth (1983)

The Third Part of Henry the Sixth

7.9

TV Movie

producer

1983

 

The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978)

The BBC Television Shakespeare

8.2

TV Series

producer

1981–1983

11 episodes

 

The Second Part of Henry the Sixth (1983)

The Second Part of Henry the Sixth

7.6

TV Movie

producer

1983

 

Brenda Blethyn in The First Part of Henry the Sixth (1983)

The First Part of Henry the Sixth

7.3

TV Movie

producer

1983

 

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1981)

A Midsummer Night's Dream

6.6

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

Troilus & Cressida (1981)

Troilus & Cressida

6.5

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

Anthony Hopkins in Othello (1981)

Othello

7.1

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

Antony & Cleopatra (1981)

Antony & Cleopatra

6.3

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

Timon of Athens (1981)

Timon of Athens

7.2

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

The Winter's Tale (1981)

The Winter's Tale

7.2

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

All's Well That Ends Well (1981)

All's Well That Ends Well

6.9

TV Movie

producer

1981

 

Warren Mitchell in The Merchant of Venice (1980)

The Merchant of Venice

7.2

TV Movie

producer

1980

 

The Taming of the Shrew (1980)

The Taming of the Shrew

7.1

TV Movie

producer

1980

 

NET Playhouse (1964)

NET Playhouse

7.1

TV Series

producer

1971

1 episode

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.1

TV Series

producer

1968

1 episode

 

Anne-Marie Mallik in Alice in Wonderland (1966)

Alice in Wonderland

6.7

TV Movie

producer

1966

 

Sunday Night

6.7

TV Series

producer

1965–1966

3 episodes

 

Editor

Monitor (1958)

Monitor

8.5

TV Series

Editor

1964

1 episode

 

Editorial Department

Monitor (1958)

Monitor

8.5

TV Series

programme editor

1965

1 episode

 

Additional Crew

Mozart: Così fan tutte (2021)

Mozart: Così fan tutte

Video

stage director

2021

 

The Mikado (2019)

The Mikado

8.7

stage director

2019

 

La bohème

TV Movie

stage director

2016

 

Rossini's the Barber of Seville: English National Opera

7.3

stage director

2015

 

La clemenza di Tito (2005)

La clemenza di Tito

Video

stage director

2005

 

Nabucco (2004)

Nabucco

TV Movie

staged by

2004

 

Le nozze di Figaro (2003)

Le nozze di Figaro

TV Movie

stage director

2003

 

Die Entführung aus dem Serail

8.3

TV Movie

stage director: opera

2003

 

La bohème

TV Movie

stage director

2002

 

Tamerlano (2001)

Tamerlano

7.3

TV Movie

directed for stage

2001

 

The Magic Flute (2000)

The Magic Flute

7.4

TV Movie

stage director

2000

 

Falstaff

TV Movie

stage director

1999

 

Così fan tutte

TV Movie

stage director

1997

 

Le nozze di Figaro

8.8

TV Movie

directed for stage

1991

 

La fanciulla del West (1991)

La fanciulla del West

7.9

TV Movie

opera director

1991

 

Candide (1988)

Candide

8.1

TV Movie

stage director

1988

 

The Mikado or the Town of Titipu (1987)

The Mikado or the Town of Titipu

7.7

TV Movie

stage director

1987

 

Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Metropolitan Opera Ballet in The Metropolitan Opera Presents (1977)

The Metropolitan Opera Presents

8.1

TV Series

directed for stage: Production

2015

1 episode

 

Rigoletto (1982)

Rigoletto

7.2

TV Movie

opera director

1982

 

Orfeo

TV Movie

stage director

1979

 

Laurence Olivier in The Merchant of Venice (1973)

The Merchant of Venice

7.2

TV Movie

director: stage production

1973

 

What's Going on Here?

TV Movie

tv presentation

1963

 

Thanks

The Estrogen Gospel (2024)

The Estrogen Gospel

5.8

Short

the director wishes to thank

2024

 

William H. Macy in Focus (2001)

Focus

6.7

additional thanks

2001

 

Self

Cities

Self

ReleasedTV Series

1979

1 episode

 

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life (2019)

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

7.7

Self

2019

 

Secret Knowledge (2013)

Secret Knowledge

7.0

TV Series

Self

2015

1 episode

 

Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Irons, Joely Richardson, Derek Jacobi, Trevor Nunn, and David Tennant in Shakespeare Uncovered (2012)

Shakespeare Uncovered

8.5

TV Series

Self

2015

1 episode

 

MR James: Ghost Writer (2013)

MR James: Ghost Writer

7.6

TV Movie

Self - Director

2013

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.7

TV Series

Self - Associate Director, 1973-1975Self

1976–2013

7 episodes

 

HARDtalk (1997)

HARDtalk

7.0

TV Series

Self

2013

1 episode

 

In Confidence (2010)

In Confidence

8.4

TV Series

Self

2010

1 episode

 

Jo Brand and Alan Yentob in Imagine (2003)

Imagine

7.4

TV Series

Self (as Sir Jonathan Miller)

2010

1 episode

 

Ghosts in the Machine

6.2

TV Movie

Self

2009

 

David Attenborough, Joan Bakewell, Brian Sewell, and Alan Yentob in The Art of Arts TV (2008)

The Art of Arts TV

TV Mini Series

Self

2008

1 episode

 

Auntie's War on Smut

TV Movie

Self

2008

 

Michael Parkinson in Parkinson (1971)

Parkinson

7.3

TV Series

Self

1972–2007

4 episodes

 

Andrew Neil in This Week (2003)

This Week

6.2

TV Series

Self

2006

1 episode

 

The Atheism Tapes (2004)

The Atheism Tapes

8.1

TV Series

Self

2004

6 episodes

 

Brief History of Disbelief (2004)

Brief History of Disbelief

8.2

TV Mini Series

Self - Presenter

2004

3 episodes

 

Melvyn Bragg in The South Bank Show (1978)

The South Bank Show

7.1

TV Series

Self

1978–2004

4 episodes

 

What the World Thinks of God

7.4

TV Movie

Self

2004

 

RIP 2002

6.4

TV Movie

Self

2002

 

Life and Times (1996)

Life and Times

7.8

TV Series

Self

2002

1 episode

 

The Curious Case of Inspector Clouseau

7.5

TV Movie

Self

2002

 

Janet Leigh in The 100 Greatest Films (2001)

The 100 Greatest Films

5.9

TV Movie

Self

2001

 

Larry and Vivien: The Oliviers in Love

7.4

TV Movie

Self

2001

 

King George VI in Reputations (1994)

Reputations

7.6

TV Series

Self

2001

1 episode

 

Shylock (2001)

Shylock

6.9

Self - Director (as Dr. Jonathan Miller)

2001

 

William Shakespeare (2000)

William Shakespeare

8.3

Theatre Director (as Dr. Jonathan Miller)

2000

 

The Talk Show Story

4.7

TV Mini Series

Self

2000

 

Jonathan Miller on Reflection

TV Series

Self

1998

 

Heroes of Comedy (1992)

Heroes of Comedy

6.7

TV Series

Self

1997–1998

2 episodes

 

Great Composers (1997)

Great Composers

8.3

TV Series

Self - director, St. Matthew Passion

1997

1 episode

 

Everyman (1977)

Everyman

7.2

TV Series

Self

1989–1997

2 episodes

 

Conjuring Shakespeare

TV Mini Series

Self

1997

1 episode

 

Ruby (1997)

Ruby

6.7

TV Series

Self

1997

1 episode

 

The Brains Trust

5.9

TV Series

Self - Panellist

1996

2 episodes

 

Timewatch (1982)

Timewatch

7.6

TV Series

Self - Narrator (voice)

1996

1 episode

 

A Pleasant Terror: The Life and Ghost of M.R. James

6.7

TV Movie

Self

1995

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.1

TV Series

Self

1976–1995

4 episodes

 

Without Walls (1990)

Without Walls

5.7

TV Series

Self

1994

1 episode

 

Jim Carter and Jessica Marshall-Gardiner in The Late Show (1988)

The Late Show

6.1

TV Series

Self - Interviewee

1993

1 episode

 

Terry Wogan in Wogan (1982)

Wogan

6.1

TV Series

Self

1985–1992

3 episodes

 

Madness (1991)

Madness

8.7

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1991

5 episodes

 

Bookmark (1983)

Bookmark

5.3

TV Series

Self

1991

1 episode

 

Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

TV Series

Self - Host

1990

4 episodes

 

Q.E.D. (1982)

Q.E.D.

6.2

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1990

1 episode

 

Clive James in Saturday Night Clive (1989)

Saturday Night Clive

7.3

TV Series

Self

1989

1 episode

 

João Magueijo in Equinox (1986)

Equinox

7.3

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1986–1989

2 episodes

 

The Dick Cavett Show (1989)

The Dick Cavett Show

7.5

TV Series

Self - Guest

1989

3 episodes

 

After Dark (1987)

After Dark

7.3

TV Series

Self

1988

1 episode

 

Evil

TV Mini Series

Self

1988

1 episode

 

Candide (1988)

Candide

8.1

TV Movie

Self - takes curtain call

1988

 

Cover to Cover

TV Series

Self

1988

1 episode

 

A Source of Innocent Merriment

TV Movie

Self

1987

 

Michael Caine in Michael Caine on Acting in Film, Arts, and Entertainment (1987)

Acting

8.3

TV Series

Self

1987

1 episode

 

When I Get to Heaven

TV Series

Self - Interviewee

1987

1 episode

 

Saturday Review (1984)

Saturday Review

TV Series

Self

1987

1 episode

 

Thinking Aloud

TV Series

Self

1986

1 episode

 

Gallery (1984)

Gallery

TV Series

Self

1986

1 episode

 

Origins: Where We and Our World Came From

TV Movie

Self - Presenter

1986

 

Harty Goes To...

TV Series

Self

1985

1 episode

 

Did You See..? (1980)

Did You See..?

5.2

TV Series

SelfSelf - Contributor

1983–1984

2 episodes

 

Horizon (1964)

Horizon

8.5

TV Series

Self

1984

1 episode

 

In at the Deep End (1982)

In at the Deep End

5.9

TV Series

Self

1984

1 episode

 

Roger Daltrey

TV Special

Self

1983

 

States of Mind

TV Series

Self - PresenterInterviewer

1983

15 episodes

 

Footlights!

TV Movie

Self

1983

 

Reputations

TV Series

Self

1982

1 episode

 

On the Town

TV Series

Self

1981

1 episode

 

The Theatre Quiz

TV Series

Self - Panellist

1981

1 episode

 

The Body in Question (1978)

The Body in Question

8.4

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1978–1979

13 episodes

 

Call My Bluff (1965)

Call My Bluff

7.0

TV Series

Self

1965–1977

8 episodes

 

Andre Previn Meets ....

TV Series

Self

1977

1 episode

 

The Book Programme (1973)

The Book Programme

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)

The Mermaid Frolics

6.8

TV Movie

Philosophy professor

1976

 

Who Said That?

TV Series

Self

1976

2 episodes

 

Read All About It

6.3

TV Series

Self

1975

1 episode

 

The Animal Game

TV Series

Self

1973

2 episodes

 

Fletcher Markle in Telescope (1963)

Telescope

7.5

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

8.5

TV Series

SelfSelf - Guest

1964–1972

2 episodes

 

Desmond Dekker in Review (1969)

Review

5.7

TV Series

Self

1970–1971

3 episodes

 

David Frost in The David Frost Show (1969)

The David Frost Show

7.2

TV Series

Self

1970–1971

2 episodes

 

The Dick Cavett Show (1968)

The Dick Cavett Show

8.3

TV Series

Self - GuestSelf

1969–1971

4 episodes

 

Aquarius (1970)

Aquarius

6.8

TV Series

Self

1971

1 episode

 

Canvas (1966)

Canvas

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1970

1 episode

 

Late Night Line-Up (1964)

Late Night Line-Up

6.5

TV Series

Self - Interviewee

1970

1 episode

 

Merv Griffin in The Merv Griffin Show (1962)

The Merv Griffin Show

6.6

TV Series

Self - British directorSelfSelf - British humorist ...

1962–1970

8 episodes

 

The Zoo in Winter

8.2

TV Movie

Self

1969

 

Release (1967)

Release

TV Series

Self

1968

1 episode

 

New Release

TV Series

Self

1966

1 episode

 

Mike Douglas in The Mike Douglas Show (1961)

The Mike Douglas Show

7.1

TV Series

Self - Humorist

1964–1965

2 episodes

 

Monitor (1958)

Monitor

8.5

TV Series

SelfSelf - Presenter

1958–1965

11 episodes

 

Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, and Jonathan Miller in Beyond the Fringe (1964)

Beyond the Fringe

7.8

TV Special

Various Characters

1964

 

Natalie Wood and Jacques Sernas in Camera Three (1954)

Camera Three

7.2

TV Series

Self

1964

1 episode

 

This Week (1956)

This Week

6.4

TV Series

Self

1963

1 episode

 

Ed Sullivan in The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)

The Ed Sullivan Show

7.9

TV Series

Self - scene from 'Beyond the Fringe'

1963

1 episode

 

Jack Paar in The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (1957)

The Jack Paar Program

8.1

TV Series

Self

1962–1963

2 episodes

 

Bennett Cerf, John Daly, Arlene Francis, and Dorothy Kilgallen in What's My Line? (1950)

What's My Line?

8.5

TV Series

Self - Mystery Guest

1962

1 episode

 

Orson Welles in Tempo (1961)

Tempo

7.7

TV Series

Self

1961

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Alan Bennett in Alan Bennett's Diaries (2016)

Alan Bennett's Diaries

6.9

Acting Role (archive footage, uncredited)

2016

 

Ian Fleming and Geoffrey Boothroyd in Timeshift (2002)

Timeshift

7.0

TV Series

Self - BBC Breakfast Time, 1983SelfSelf - Interviewer, 'Monitor' (archive footage)

2002–2014

3 episodes

 

The Unforgettable Dudley Moore

TV Movie

Self - Interviewed in 2000 (archive footage)

2012

 

Alice in Wonderland Stills Gallery

Video

Self (archive footage, uncredited)

2010

 

Monty Python: Almost the Truth - The Lawyer's Cut (2009)

Monty Python: Almost the Truth - The Lawyer's Cut

8.1

TV Mini Series

Self (archive footage)

2009

1 episode

 

A Very British Apocalypse

TV Movie

Self (archive footage)

2007

 

Comedy Greats: Pete and Dud

Video

Beyond the Fringe (archive footage)

2007

 

Victoria Wood's Sketch Show Story (2001)

Victoria Wood's Sketch Show Story

7.5

TV Mini Series

(archive footage)

2001

 

Understanding Modern Societies

TV Mini Series

Self - 'Everyman' (archive footage)

1993

1 episode

 

Comic Relief: Behind the Nose

6.7

TV Movie

Self (archive footage)

1992

 

Nicholas Craig, the Naked Actor (1990)

Nicholas Craig, the Naked Actor

7.3

TV Series

Self (archive footage, uncredited)

1990

1 episode

 

Jaromil Jires in The Rock 'n' Roll Years (1985)

The Rock 'n' Roll Years

8.5

TV Series

Flight Officer Perkins (archive footage)

1985

1 episode