John Forbes-Robertson (10 May 1928 – 14 May 2008) was a British actor best known for being the only actor other than Christopher Lee to play Count Dracula for Hammer Film Productions.John Forbes-Robertson, roles and actor credits; Aveleyman website
Early life He was born in Worthing, Sussex. He was not the son of actor-manager Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, as erroneously stated in the press at the time of his death; he was the grandson of one of Sir Johnston's brothers.
Career He began his acting career on the stage, starting at the Intimate Theatre in Palmers Green, before pursuing a film and TV career in the 1950s and 1960s, usually in minor roles, in films such as The Battle of the River Plate (1956), Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) and The Spy with a Cold Nose (1966). He made two films for Hammer - The Vampire Lovers (1970), as the Man in Black, and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974), as Dracula. Other film credits include Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), The Vault of Horror (1973), Venom (1981) and Lifeforce (1985). On TV he appeared in a 1975 episode of Thriller ("The Next Voice You See") and played Leonard Rossiter's love rival, Henry Possett, in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976).
His last appearance on screen was in a documentary, The Legend of Hammer: Vampires (2008), directed by Don Fearney.
Death Forbes-Robertson died on 14 May 2008.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1937 Kathleen Mavourneen Pat O'Moore 1952 Salute the Toff Gerald Harvey Uncredited1956 The Baby and the Battleship Gunnery Officer Uncredited1956 The Battle of the River Plate Lt. McBarnett - HMS Exeter Uncredited1963 Girl in the Headlines Porter 1963 The Partner Alwood 1964 First Men in the Moon First Reporter Uncredited1965 Bunny Lake Is Missing Hospital Attendant 1966 The Fighting Prince of Donegal 1966 The Spy with a Cold Nose M.I.5 Workshop Director 1970 Cromwell Colonel Harrison Uncredited1970 The Vampire Lovers Man in Black 1971 Nicholas and Alexandra Col. Voikov 1973 The Vault of Horror Wilson (segment "The Neat Job")1974 The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires Dracula 1975 The Man from Nowhere Mr Freeman 1981 Venom Sgt. Nash 1982 The Island of Adventure Mr. Roy 1985 Lifeforce The Minister 2005 Room 36 Norman
References
External links
Obituary from The Guardian