Nigel Green

Nigel McGown Green (15 October 192415 May 1972) was an English actor. Because of his strapping build, commanding height () and regimental demeanour he would often be found playing military types and men of action in such classic 1960s films as Jason and the Argonauts, Zulu, Tobruk and The Ipcress File.

Early life and education Nigel Green was born in Pretoria, South Africa, son of pioneering animal health biochemist Henry Hamilton Green, DSc, and Katherine Laura, née McGown, daughter of printer John McGown. In Pretoria, his father was employed as professor of biochemistry and sub-director of the Veterinary Research Laboratories at OnderstepoortSouth African Journal of Science, vol. 31, South African Association for the Advancement of Science, 1931, p. xxxi (he was later a researcher at New Haw in Surrey, having been director of the Scottish Dairy Research Institute). Green's elder brother, Kenneth Gillies Green (1918–1990), was a physician, an adviser to companies including Imperial Chemical Industries, and in 1959 a founder of the Association of Medical Advisers in the Pharmaceutical Industry, now the British Association for Pharmaceutical Physicians.

Green was subsequently raised in London, attending King's College School, Wimbledon and the University of London, followed by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. During the Second World War he trained as an Observer in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.

Stage career Among early stage appearances, Green was at London's New Theatre (now the Noël Coward Theatre) in October 1948, playing multiple roles in John Burrell's Old Vic company revival of The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. At the Stratford Memorial Theatre in 1950, he was cast as Sir Thomas Lovell in Henry VIII (directed by Tyrone Guthrie), Abhorson in Peter Brook's production of Measure for Measure (which also toured Germany), Decius Brutus in Julius Caesar (directed by Anthony Quayle), and — most notably — Edmund in King Lear, starring and co-directed by John Gielgud.Shakespeare Memorial Theatre 1948–1950: A Photographic Record (Reinhardt & Evans 1951), pages unnumbered

Green's subsequent West End appearances included Come Live With Me (directed by Roy Rich: Vaudeville Theatre, June 1951),Frances Stephens, Theatre World Annual (London) # 3 (Rockliff 1952), page 20 Heloise (directed by Michael Powell: Duke of York's Theatre, November 1951),Frances Stephens, Theatre World Annual (London) # 3 (Rockliff 1952), page 21 Vernon Sylvaine's As Long as They're Happy, opposite Jack Buchanan (directed by Roy Rich: Garrick Theatre, July 1953),Frances Stephens, Theatre World Annual (London) # 5 (Rockliff 1954), page 38 Félicien Marceau's The Egg (directed by Charles Frank: Saville Theatre, October 1957))Frances Stephens, Theatre World Annual (London) # 9 (Rockliff 1958), page 66 and Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder (directed by Hubert Gregg: Duchess Theatre, March 1960).Frances Stephens, Theatre World Annual (London) # 11 (Barrie & Rockliff 1960), page 23

In his second volume of autobiography, Michael Powell pointed out that, though the play they collaborated on was a failure, "Nigel Green, with his great face and towering figure, would soon make a name for himself in movies. Who could ever forget him in Zulu? He was an almost mythical figure, like Harry Andrews and Victor McLaglen, and later John Wayne, all of them genuine and generous artists. Among other men, they were like Norse gods, mythical, large and gentle, suddenly exploding into rage and performing fabulous feats of strength."

Screen career Green's early film roles included Reach for the Sky (1956), The Criminal (1960), The League of Gentlemen (1960) and Beat Girl (1960). His imposing physique led to his being cast as Little John in the film Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960).

Green had one of his most memorable roles as Hercules in Jason and the Argonauts (1963), followed by his co-starring role as Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne in Zulu (1964). He had a leading role as Inspector Sir Denis Nayland Smith in The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) and the supporting role of Major Dalby in The Ipcress File (also 1965). Other roles include Carl Petersen in the Bulldog Drummond film Deadlier Than the Male (1967), as McCune, a devious Australian in the 1967 comedy-adventure The Pink Jungle, Count Contini in the Matt Helm film The Wrecking Crew (1968), and 'Lord Ashley's Whore' in John Huston's The Kremlin Letter (1969). His many military roles included parts in Khartoum (1966), Tobruk (1967), Fräulein Doktor and Play Dirty (both 1969).

Green also appeared in several horror films, including Corridors of Blood (1958), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), The Skull (1965), Let's Kill Uncle (1966) and Countess Dracula (1971). His penultimate role was as McKyle the 'Electric Messiah', a mental patient believing himself to be God, in The Ruling Class (1972).

Green's television appearances included The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, The Adventures of William Tell, The Other Man, Danger Man, The Power Game, The Avengers, Sherlock Holmes, Jason King, The Protectors and The Persuaders!.

Personal life Green's first wife was actress Patricia Marmont. His second wife was actress Pamela Gordon, with whom he had one daughter.

Death Green died following an overdose of sleeping pills in 1972, aged 47. It is unknown if his death was intentional. Peter O'Toole said in his audio commentary for The Ruling Class that he believed Green was very depressed and that his death was a suicide, although Green's family believed it to be accidental. He was separated from his wife Pamela Gordon at the time.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1954 Meet Mr. Malcolm Stranger from Venus Second Police Officer The Sea Shall Not Have Them Met Officer Howard 1955 As Long as They're Happy Peter Pember 1956 Reach for the Sky Streatfield Find the Lady Photographer Uncredited 1957 Bitter Victory Private Wilkins 1958 The Gypsy and the Gentleman Game Pup Corridors of Blood Inspector Donovan 1959 Witness in the Dark The Intruder 1960 League of Gentlemen Kissing man in truck Uncredited Beat Girl Simon Sword of Sherwood Forest Little John The Criminal Ted1961 Gorgo Bulletin Announcer Uncredited Pit of Darkness Jonathan The Queen's Guards Abu Sibdar 1962 The Spanish Sword Baron Breaute The Durant Affair Sir Patrick 1963 Mystery Submarine Chief ERA Lovejoy Jason and the Argonauts Hercules The Man Who Finally Died Sergeant Hirsch 1964 Zulu Colour Sergeant Bourne Saturday Night Out Paddy The Masque of the Red Death Ludovico 1965 The Ipcress File Major Dalby The Face of Fu Manchu Sir Denis Nayland Smith The Skull Inspector Wilson 1966 Khartoum General Wolseley Let's Kill Uncle The Uncle-Major Kevin Harrison 1967 Tobruk Lieutenant-Colonel John Harker Deadlier Than the Male Carl Petersen The Queen's Traitor John Hawkins Africa Texas Style Karl Bekker 1968 The Pink Jungle Crowley The Wrecking Crew Count Massimo Contini 1969 Play Dirty Colonel Masters Fräulein Doktor Colonel Mathesius 1970 The Kremlin Letter The Whore 1971 Countess Dracula Captain Dobi the Castle Steward 1972 The Ruling Class McKyle Posthumous release 1973 Gawain and the Green Knight Green Knight Posthumous release (final film role)

Television Year Title Role Notes 1952 Suspense Mr Williams Episode: "Monsieur Vidocq" 1953 Broadway Television Theatre Prince Sirki of Vitalba Alexa Episode: "Death Takes a Holiday" 1956 The Adventure of Robin Hood Prival Episode: "The Imposters" 1956–1957 The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Jailer/Second Thief /Farmer 8 episodes 1958 Ivanhoe Timon Episode: "Counterfeit" 1958–1959 The Adventures of William Tell Fertog (The Bear) 8 episodes1959 Armchair Theatre Stranger Episode: "The Devil's Instrument" The Flying Doctor Haggerty Episode: "A Circle in the Bush" World Theatre Recruiting Officer Episode: "Mother Courage and Her Children" BBC Sunday Night Theatre Freddie Henderson Episode: "The Velvet Alley" International Detective Montoro 4 episodes 1961 Danger Man Colonel Heinrich Wetzel Episode: "The Girl Who Liked G.I.s" 1961–1962 The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theater Lew Daney/Ralph Monk 2 episodes1962 The Magical World of Disney The Ruffler 3 episodes Ghost Squad Cresswell Episode: "The Missing People" Harpers West One Marinus Van Leut 1 episode The Benny Hill Show Silas Episode: "The Mystery of Black Bog Manor" 1962, 1967 Drama 61-67 Jamieson 2 episodes1963 Alcoa Premiere Brown Episode: "Hornblower" 24-Hour Call Inspector Jago Episode: "Never Leave Me" Zero One Saunders Episode: "Delayed Reaction" Richard the Lionheart Hermit/Nicholas2 episodes 1963–1964 Love Story Charles Dent/Walter Gullett1964 ITV Sunday Night Drama Sam Episode: "Sunday Mystery Theatre: The Primitives" ITV Play of the Week CSM Blackman Episode: "The Other Man" Theatre 625 Tim Afton Episode: "Women in Crisis #2: With Love and Tears" 1965 No Hiding Place Georgie Dyson Episode: "Whoever's Right, Sweeney's Wrong" 1966 The Plane Makers Hartley Episode: "Point of Balance" 1967 The Queen's Traitor John Hawkins 5 episodes 1967, 1969 The Avengers Sir Lexius Cray/Sir Geoffrey Armstrong 2 episodes1968 Thirty-Minute Theatre Colonel Willowby Episode: "A Question of Honour" Sherlock Holmes Sir Robert Norberton Episode: "Shoscombe Old Place" 1970 Dr. Finlay's Casebook Hamil Episode: "Responsibilities" 1971 Jason King Charles Episode: "As Easy as ABC"1972 The Persuaders! John Cavendish Episode: "Read and Destroy" Clochemerle Captain Tardivaux 3 episodes The Protectors Krassinkov Episode: "Balance of Terror"; posthumous release

Nigel Green

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