Bernard Hepton facts for kids

Francis Bernard Heptonstall (born October 19, 1925 – died July 27, 2018) was an English actor and theatre director. He was better known by his stage name, Bernard Hepton. Hepton was famous for his work in plays and on television. He also appeared in radio shows and movies.

Early Life and School

Bernard Hepton was born in Bradford, a city in Yorkshire, England. His father, Bernard senior, worked as an electrician. His mother, Hilda, came from a family who worked in mills. Bernard grew up as a Catholic. He went to St Bede's Grammar School.

During the Second World War, Bernard could not join the British Army. This was because he had poor eyesight. Instead, he trained to be an aircraft engineer. He also worked as a draughtsman, which means he drew detailed plans. Hepton also helped with firewatching duties during the war.

Working in Theatre

Bernard Hepton learned acting at the Bradford Playhouse. He worked with director Esme Church. He gained a lot of experience acting in many plays. He performed often in places like Scarborough and York.

In 1952, he joined the Birmingham Rep theatre. He worked under Barry Jackson. Later, in 1957, Bernard became the theatre's artistic director. This meant he was in charge of all the plays and performances.

For a short time in 1963, he was the director of the Liverpool Playhouse. He worked to bring new and exciting plays to the theatre. These included The Fire Raisers and Luther. Hepton also helped create the fight scenes for famous productions. He worked on Laurence Olivier's film Richard III (1955). He also helped with an Old Vic play of Hamlet in 1953.

Acting on Television

Bernard Hepton first appeared on television in 1957. He played Sir Thomas More in a live show called A Man for All Seasons. In 1969, he played Caiaphas in Son of Man.

Hepton became well-known for his role as the Kommandant in Colditz (1972–1974). He then played Albert Foiret in three seasons of Secret Army (1977–1979). Both shows were made by the same team.

He also played Thomas Cranmer in two historical TV series. These were The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970) and Elizabeth R (1971). He played the same role in the movie Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972).

Bernard Hepton was also in TV shows based on John le Carré's spy novels. He played Toby Esterhase in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He also appeared in Smiley's People. He played Pallas in I, Claudius (1976). He was also in the comedy show The Squirrels (1974–1977).

In 1989, he played Sam Toovey in the ghost story The Woman in Black. In 1996, he was in the TV version of Jane Austen's Emma. He played Mr. Woodhouse, Emma's father, who worried a lot about his health.

Radio and Film Roles

On the radio, Bernard Hepton played Albert in Stranger in the Home. He also played the main detective in The Teahouse Detective. This show was about an amateur detective who solved mysteries from his armchair.

Hepton did not appear in many feature films. His first movie role was in 1949. He had a small part as Thorpey, a gangster, in the crime movie Get Carter (1971). He also played Milton Goldsmith in Voyage of the Damned (1976).

Personal Life

Bernard Hepton was married to actress Nancie Jackson. They were married from 1957 until she passed away in 1977. Nancie played Alice More, the wife of Thomas More, in the 1957 TV show A Man for All Seasons. Bernard played Thomas More in the same show. They lived in Barnes, London.

Hepton married Hilary Liddell in 1979. She passed away in 2013. Bernard Hepton died on July 27, 2018, at the age of 92.

Filmography

Film credits

Television credits