Michael Leonard Williams (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was a British actor who played both classical and comedy roles. He was best known for voicing Dr. Watson in the long-running Sherlock Holmes adaptations for BBC Radio, opposite Clive Merrison as Holmes, and for starring alongside his wife Judi Dench in the ITV sitcom A Fine Romance.
Biography Williams was born on 9 July 1935 in Liverpool, Merseyside.
Williams married Judi Dench on 5 February 1971, the same year in which they co-starred in a stage production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi, and, as RSC actors, in Pack of Lies and Mr. and Mrs. Nobody.Senter, Al. A Brief Biography. Booklet accompanying 'The Judi Dench Collection'. BBC Worldwide, 6-DVD set, 2007. They had one daughter, Finty Williams, who is also an actress. Williams was also godfather to the actor Rory Kinnear.
Williams was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.
Shortly before his death from lung cancer aged 65, Williams was appointed a Knight of St Gregory (KSG) by Pope John Paul II for his contribution to Catholic life in Britain. The honour was officially bestowed upon him at home on 10 January 2001. He died the next day, and was buried in the churchyard of St Leonard's, the Anglican parish church of Charlecote, Warwickshire. Williams was a fan of Everton F.C..
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1962 The Trial of Joan of Arc Englishman Uncredited1967 Marat/Sade Herald 1968 Tell Me Lies Guest Documentary1972 Eagle in a Cage Barry O'Meara 1974 Dead Cert Sandy Mason 1982 Enigma Hirsch, Limmer's Assistant 1983 Educating Rita Brian 1989 Henry V Michael Williams 1999 Tea with Mussolini British Consul
Television Year Title Role Notes1962 Z-Cars Norbert Nuttall 1 episode1970 A Family at War Eddie Chappell 1 episode1971 Elizabeth R François, Duke of Anjou and Alençon 1 episode1975 The Hanged Man Alan Crowe 8 episodes1979 My Son, My Son William Essex 8 episodes1980 Love in a Cold Climate Davey Warbeck 8 episodes1981–1984 A Fine Romance Mike Selway 26 episodes1987 Blunt: The Fourth Man Blunt: the fourth man, DVD video listing at WorldCat. Goronwy Rees1988 Double First Norman 'N.V.' Standish 7 episodes1988-1989 Charlie Chalk Charlie Chalk, Lewis T. Duck, Trader Jones and Litterbug (voice) 13 episodes1989 Screen Two - Angel Voices Michael Darlow 1 episode1999 Can you hear me thinking Kevin 90 minute BBC TV film1993–1994 Conjugal Rites Barry Masefield 13 episodes1993–1995 September Song Billy Balsam 20 episodes1996 Kavanagh QC DCI Knowland 1 episode1996-2000 Brambly Hedge Mr. Apple 8 episodes1997 A Dance to the Music of Time Ted Jeavons 2 episodes1999 The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Father Daley 2 episodes, (final appearance)
Selected radio roles Year Title Role1973 The War Between Men and Women reader1989–1998 Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson1990 The Forsyte Chronicles Young Jolyon Forsyte1995–1996 Change at Oglethorpe Rocket1995–1999 The George Cragge series George Cragge1997 Mansfield Park Sir Thomas Bertram1998–1999 Old Dog and Partridge Jack1999–2000 Bristow Bristow
Stage roles Principal stage appearances; mostly with the Royal Shakespeare Company:
Also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Theatre-Go-Round Festival, Round House Theatre, London, 1970.
References
External links
Performances listed in Theatre Archive, University of Bristol