Michael Williams Biography

Michael Leonard Williams, (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was an English actor who played both classical and comedy roles. He was the husband of actress Dame Judi Dench.

Early life and career

Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, he attended St. Edward's College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre.

His first film appearance was in 1962, and he subsequently appeared frequently on television (notably in Elizabeth R), and in British films such as Educating Rita (1983) and (along with Dench) Henry V (1989). In the latter, in perhaps an irresistible casting decision, he played his namesake, the Shakespearean character named Michael Williams. In 1967, he played in Peter Whitehead's documentary Benefit of the Doubt on Peter Brook's anti-Vietnam play "US", along with Peter Brook and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

His many radio roles included crime reporter George Cragge in In the Red and its sequels, and Dr. Watson in the BBC's complete run of Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

Williams provided voices for the Woodland Animations BBC Television series Charlie Chalk, created by Ivor Wood.

Personal life

He married Judi Dench on 5 February 1971, in the same year that they co-starred in a stage production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter, Tara Cressida Williams (b. 1972), known as Finty Williams, who is also an actress. Finty is a single parent to a son, Sam Williams (b. 6 June 1997)

Williams chaired the British Catholic Stage Guild for a number of years before he was incapacitated by illness.

He was the President of the Roman Catholic Actors' Guild.

Williams served as an enthusiastic supporter of the project to build the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, USA. A plaque commemorating Williams' contributions hangs in the completed playhouse.

Shortly before his death from lung cancer at the age of 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.

Selected television roles

Year	Title	Role
1962	Z-Cars	Norbert Nuttall (1 episode)
1971	Elizabeth R	Franois, Duke of Anjou and Alenon
1975	The Hanged Man	Alan Crowe (8 episodes)
1980	Love in a Cold Climate	Davey Warbeck (8 episodes)
1981-84	A Fine Romance	Mike Selway
1988	Double First	Norman 'N.V.' Standish
1993-94	Conjugal Rites	Barry Masefield
1997	A Dance to the Music of Time	Ted Jeavons (2 episodes)
1999	The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns	Father Daley
1999	Kavanagh QC	DCI Knowland (1 episode)

Selected radio roles

Year	Title	Role
1973	The War Between Men and Women	reader
1989-98	Sherlock Holmes	Dr. John H. Watson
1995-96	Change at Oglethorpe	Rocket
1995-99	The George Cragge series	George Cragge
1997	Mansfield Park	Sir Thomas Bertram
1998-99	Old Dog and Partridge	Jack
1999-2000	Bristow	Bristow

Selected film roles

Year	Title	Role
1967	Marat/Sade	Herald
1968	Tell Me Lies	Guest
1972	Eagle in a Cage	Barry O'Meara
1974	Dead Cert	Sandy Mason
1982	Enigma	Hirsch, Limmer's Assistant
1983	Educating Rita	Brian
1988	Angel Voices	Tommy
1989	Henry V	Williams
1999	Tea with Mussolini	British Consul

Stage appearances

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.