József Sándor Éles (; 15 June 1936 – 10 September 2002) was a Hungarian-British actor. He started his career in theatre, but was best known latterly for TV and film work.

Early life Born in Tatabánya, 60 km from Budapest, Éles was orphaned during World War II, and emigrated to Britain during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. He studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Éles became a naturalised British citizen on 10 January 1977.

Career Éles began his acting career on stage, and went on to appear in a host of television roles, the majority on ITV. These included the ITC series The Avengers, Danger Man, The Baron, The Saint, Timeslip and Jason King.

He appeared as a storyteller on the BBC children's programme Jackanory in ten episodes between 1970 and 1972, and he also made appearances in The Avengers, The Professionals, Strange Report and Upstairs, Downstairs. Often cast in generic 'foreigner' roles (diplomats, waiters, desk clerks), he most often played Frenchmen.

One of his most memorable film roles was as the mysterious Paul in the Brian Clemens thriller And Soon the Darkness (1970). He also had major roles in the Hammer Horror movies Countess Dracula (1971) and The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) as well as appearing for four years in the 1980s as the scheming restaurant manager, Paul Ross, in the British TV soap opera Crossroads.

In 1996, Éles returned to his cultural roots, appearing as the narrator in the Bartók opera, Bluebeard's Castle. The concert performances, given by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Haitink, were recorded for CD.

Death Éles died in Kilburn, London on 10 September 2002, aged 66, apparently from a heart attack.Obituaries in the Performing Arts

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1961 The Rebel Artist 1961 The Naked Edge Manfridi St John 1962 Guns of Darkness Lt. Gomez 1964 French Dressing Vladek 1964 The Evil of Frankenstein Hans 1965 San Ferry Ann Shop Attendant 1967 The Magnificent Two Armandez 1970 The Kremlin Letter Lt. Grodin 1970 And Soon the Darkness Paul 1971 Countess Dracula Lt. Imre Toth 1971 Fun and Games Paul Floret 1973 Scorpio Malkin 1975 Love and Death Soldier 2 1977 The Assignment Clerk 1978 The Greek Tycoon Lawrence 1991 Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady Maitre D' 1996 Surviving Picasso Party Guest (final film role)

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