Known for movies
Rising Damp (1974-1977)
as Alan
Doing Time (1979)
as Lennie
Porridge (1974-1977)
as Lennie Godber
The Lovers! (1973)
as Geoffrey Scrimshaw
Short Info
| Died | March 19, 1979, Sunningdale, United Kingdom |
| Spouse | Judy Loe, Margaret Bradley |
| Mark | A dry sense of humor. |
| Fact | Father, with Margaret Bradley, of Samantha Beckinsale. |
Richard Beckinsale was born on July 6, 1947, in Leicester, England. His parents were Margaret and Kenneth Beckinsale. He had two sisters, Pamela and Jennifer. His early education was at a local grammar school. He was a talented athlete and played cricket and rugby. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening.
Beckinsale’s acting career began in the early 1970s with roles in several British television series such as “Doctor Who” and “Rising Damp”. He first gained widespread recognition for his role as Lennie Godber in the sitcom “Porridge”. He also appeared in the films “Lisztomania” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.
In 1979, Beckinsale starred in the ITV series “Love Thy Neighbour” as Eddie Booth. The following year, he appeared in the film “The Great Muppet Caper”. He also had roles in the films “The Lady Vanishes” and “Ghandi”.
In 1981, Beckinsale starred in the film “Arthur’s Seat”. The following year, he appeared in the film “Sink or Swim”. He also had roles in the films “The Cannonball Run” and “Blind Date”.
In 1984, Beckinsale starred in the film “Give My Regards to Broad Street”. The following year, he appeared in the film “Water”. He also had roles in the films “A View to a Kill” and “The Return of Sherlock Holmes”.
In 1986, Beckinsale starred in the film “Link”. The following year, he appeared in the film “The Lair of the White Worm”. He also had roles in the films “From Russia with Love” and “Withnail & I”.
In 1988, Beckinsale starred in the film “The Rachel Papers”. The following year, he appeared in the film “Scandal”. He also had roles in the films “Batman” and “The Hunt for Red October”.
In 1990, Beckinsale starred in the film “Revenge”. The following year, he appeared in the film “Sleuth”. He also had roles in the films “Alien 3” and “Much Ado About Nothing”.
Beckinsale’s final film appearance was in the 1993 film “Peter’s Friends”. He died of a heart attack on March 19, 1979, at the age of 31.
General Info
| Full Name | Richard Beckinsale |
| Died | March 19, 1979, Sunningdale, United Kingdom |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian |
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Nationality | British |
Family
| Spouse | Judy Loe, Margaret Bradley |
| Children | Kate Beckinsale, Samantha Beckinsale |
| Parents | Arthur John Beckinsale, Margaret Barlow |
Accomplishments
| Nominations | Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance, Laurence Olivier Award for Actor of the Year in a New Play |
| Movies | Porridge, Three for All |
| TV Shows | Bloomers, Rising Damp, Going Straight, Porridge, The Lovers |
Social profile links
Marks
| # | Marks / Signs |
|---|---|
| 1 | A dry sense of humor. |
Quotes
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I decided to become an actor, it wasn't actually to make money or to make a living. I wanted to be an actor because I wanted to act. I've always had this desire to communicate a great kind of beauty to other people, like a vicar or priest does, to transport people to the world where I live. I just appreciate living on earth at an artistic level. There's a great deal of satisfaction in living this way. It's like love, I suppose. There are no words for it, apart from love - to give people love, to teach people love. I think it is probably the main driving force in my life. |
Facts
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beckinsale was known for his dry sense of humour. |
| 2 | Richard's paternal grandmother, Mary Mitchell, was born in Burma, to a white father, Thomas Mitchell, and a Burmese (Asian) mother, Ma Ninhe. |
| 3 | All who knew him were shocked and devastated by his death, particularly Ronnie Barker. He was so upset he couldn't work for several days. |
| 4 | Owned a Bentley saloon car. |
| 5 | Father, with Margaret Bradley, of Samantha Beckinsale. |
| 6 | RADA-trained British TV comedy actor. Started to act in repertory theatre in Crewe and was first glimpsed on-screen, as a police officer, in Coronation Street (1960) in 1969. He is fondly remembered for his roles in Porridge (1974) and Rising Damp (1974). Died tragically young, at just 31 years of age. |
| 7 | Father, with Judy Loe, of Kate Beckinsale. |
Pictures
Movies
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloody Kids | 1980 | TV Movie uncredited | |
| Bloomers | 1979 | TV Series | Stan |
| Doing Time | 1979 | Lennie | |
| Going Straight | 1978 | TV Series | Lennie Godber |
| ITV Playhouse | 1977 | TV Series | Johnny |
| Rising Damp | 1974-1977 | TV Series | Alan |
| Porridge | 1974-1977 | TV Series | Lennie Godber |
| Couples | 1976 | TV Series | Daniel Graham |
| Play for Today | 1975 | TV Series | Michael Robson |
| Three for All | 1975 | Jet Bone | |
| If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them | 1974 | TV Movie | The Young Man |
| The Lovers! | 1973 | Geoffrey Scrimshaw | |
| The Donati Conspiracy | 1973 | TV Series | Robert Sadler |
| The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes | 1973 | TV Series | Richard Frobisher |
| Rentadick | 1972 | Hobbs | |
| ITV Saturday Night Theatre | 1971-1972 | TV Series | Angus MacFee / Dermot / Pete |
| Justice | 1971 | TV Series | Terry Watson |
| The Lovers | 1970-1971 | TV Series | Geoffrey Scrimgeor |
| Armchair Theatre | 1971 | TV Series | Lewis |
| Elephant's Eggs in a Rhubarb Tree | 1971 | TV Series | Various roles |
| A Family at War | 1970 | TV Series | Private Grey |
| Coronation Street | 1969 | TV Series | PC Wilcox |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Going Straight | 1978 | TV Series 1 episode | |
| Porridge | 1975 | TV Series performer - 2 episodes |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Games | 1978 | TV Series | Himself |
| Call My Bluff | 1978 | TV Series | Himself |
| This Is Your Life | 1975-1977 | TV Series documentary | Himself / Himself - Guest |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| And It's Goodnight from Him: The Very Best of Ronnie Barker | 1996 | Video documentary | Himself / 'Lennie Godber' |
| Rising Damp Forever | 2016 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Alan |
| Stars on the Street | 2009 | TV Movie documentary | PC Wilcox (uncredited) |
| The Comedy Map of Britain | 2008 | TV Series documentary | Lennie Godber / Himself |
| 50 Greatest Comedy Catchphrases | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Lennie Godber (uncredited) |
| The Comedy Christmas | 2007 | TV Movie documentary | Lennie Godber (uncredited) |
| Forty Years of Fuck | 2005 | TV Movie documentary | Lennie Godber (uncredited) |
| Heroes of Comedy | 2000-2001 | TV Series documentary | Alan Moore Lennie Godber |
| Ronnie Barker Interview | 2001 | Video short | Lennie Godber (uncredited) |
| The Unforgettable Richard Beckinsale | 2000 | TV Special short | Himself |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia
