Christopher de Lerisson Cazenove (17 December 1943 – 7 April 2010) was an English film, television and stage actor.
Early life and career He was born Christopher de Lerisson Cazenove, on 17 December 1943, the son of Brigadier Arnold de Lerisson Cazenove and Elizabeth Laura (née Gurney, 1914–1994) in Winchester, Hampshire, but was brought up in Bowlish, Somerset. He was educated at the Dragon School, Eton College, Durham University's College of the Venerable Bede and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.Anthony Hayward Obituary: Christopher Cazenove, The Guardian, 8 April 2010
Cazenove often portrayed British aristocrats, and first made his name in the 1972 drama series, The Regiment. Other notable roles included Charlie Tyrrell in the 1976-77 period drama series The Duchess of Duke Street, and in 1986 he appeared as Ben Carrington in the US soap opera Dynasty, which he played until the following year. From 2001 to 2003, he had a recurring role in the British drama series Judge John Deed, playing Row Colemore.
On the stage, he appeared as Henry Higgins in the British and American productions of My Fair Lady from 2005 through to 2008. He also starred in the London West End production of The Importance of Being Earnest in 1994 alongside Susannah York.
Personal life Cazenove was married to actress Angharad Rees from 1973 until their divorce in 1994. They had two sons, Linford James (20 July 1974 – 10 September 1999); and Rhys William (born 1976); Linford died in a car crash on the M11 in Essex. From 2003 until his death, Cazenove's partner was Isabel Davis.
Death In February 2010, Cazenove collapsed at his London home. He was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London, suffering from septicaemia. He died on 7 April 2010 from the effects of the illness at St Thomas' Hospital, aged 66. The actor "died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones", said a statement released by his agent, his family and girlfriend.Notice of Cazenove's death , 7 April 2010
Cazenove's funeral on 16 April 2010 was held at St Paul's, Covent Garden, London.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes 1970 Julius Caesar Servant to Mark Antony Uncredited There's a Girl in My Soup Nigel Uncredited 1974 Doctor Watson and the Darkwater Hall Mystery Sir Harry 1975 Royal Flash Eric Hansen 1977 East of Elephant Rock Robert Proudfoot 1978 La petite fille en velours bleu (aka Little Girl in Blue Velvet) "Baby" 1979 Zulu Dawn Lieutenant Coghill 1981 Eye of the Needle David Rose From a Far Country Tadek 1983 Heat and Dust Douglas Rivers, The Assistant Collector (The Nineteen Twenties in the Civil Lines at Satipur)Merchant Ivory Film 1984 Until September Philip 1985 Jenny's War Captain Preston TV series, 4 episodes Mata Hari Karl Von Bayerling 1986 The Fantasist Inspector McMyler 1988 Windmills of the Gods Desforges TV Mini-Series, 2 episodes Tears in the Rain Michael Bredon TV movie Blind Justice Joseph Mahoney Also known as Hold My Hand I'm Dying 1989 Souvenir William Root The Lady and the Highwayman Rudolph Vyne TV movie 1990 3 Men and a Little Lady Edward Hargreave 1992 Aces: Iron Eagle III Palmer 1996 The Proprietor Elliott Spencer Merchant Ivory Film 1998 Shadow Run Melchior 2000 Contaminated Man The President of Clarion 2001 A Knight's Tale John Thatcher Beginner's Luck Andrew Fontaine 2004 La Femme Musketeer Athos TV Mini-Series, 2 episodes 2009 Hotel Babylon Damien Rushby TV series, 1 episode 2010 Alexander the Great from Macedonia Aristotle (final film role)
Television 1972-1973 The Regiment 1973 Omnibus: The British Hero (BBC TV documentary/selected dramatised scenes) as Heroes: Tom Brown / Richard Hannay / Beau Geste / Bulldog Drummond / James Bond 1974 Thriller Episode: "K is for Killing" as Sunny Garrick 1974 Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill as George Cornwallis-West 1976-1977 Duchess of Duke Street as Charlie Tyrrell 1980 Hammer House of Horror Episode: "Children of the Full Moon" as Tom Martin 1981 Ladykillers Episode: A Smile Is Sometimes Worth a Million Dollars as Ronald True 1982 The Letter (1982 film) as Officer Withers 1982 The Agatha Christie Hour as Jack Trent 1984 Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense Episode: "In Possession" as Frank Daly 1985 Kane & Abel as The Baron 1986-1987 Dynasty as Ben Carrington 1989 A Fine Romance (1989 TV series) as Michael Trent 2001-2003 Judge John Deed as "Row" Colemore 2004 Charmed as Thrask 2005 Dalziel and Pascoe –Episode: "Dead Meat", Parts 1 and 2 as Guy Latimer
References
External links
BBC profile NY Times filmography Obituary in The Daily Telegraph Obituary in The Times