Brian Blessed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Blessed
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Blessed in 2012
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| Born | 9 October 1936 Mexborough, England
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| Education | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BA) |
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| Years active | 1957–present |
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Works
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Filmography |
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| Children | 2 |
Brian Blessed is a famous English actor, born on October 9, 1936. He is well-known for his big, booming voice, his bushy beard, and his energetic personality. You might recognize him from many movies and TV shows.
Some of his most famous roles include Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon, King Richard IV in Blackadder, and Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. He also voiced Clayton in Disney's Tarzan and Grampy Rabbit in Peppa Pig.
In 2016, Brian Blessed was honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award for his contributions to acting and his charity work.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Brian Blessed was born in Mexborough, Yorkshire. His father was a miner. Brian went to Bolton on Dearne Secondary Modern School. When he was 14, he had to leave school early because his father had an accident.
After leaving school, Brian worked in different jobs, like being an undertaker's assistant and a plasterer's assistant. He also served in the Royal Air Force as a parachutist. Later, he began his acting training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He even wrote a book about his early life called Dynamite Kid.
Acting Career
Brian Blessed has had a very long and successful acting career, appearing in many different types of shows and movies.
Early TV Roles
One of his first big roles was PC "Fancy" Smith in the TV series Z-Cars from 1962 to 1965. In 1966, he was offered the main role of the Doctor in Doctor Who, but he couldn't take it because he was busy with other projects. He also played Porthos in a BBC show based on The Three Musketeers.
He appeared in other popular TV shows like The Avengers and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). He played Caesar Augustus in the drama series I, Claudius in 1976. He also hosted a show about the composer Johann Sebastian Bach.
Film and Stage Roles
Brian Blessed is famous for his roles in movies. He played Prince Vultan in the 1980 film Flash Gordon, which is a role many people remember him for. He was also King Richard IV in the first series of The Black Adder, a comedy he really enjoyed.
He has appeared in many Shakespearean plays and films. He worked with director Kenneth Branagh on four Shakespeare movies, including Henry V and Hamlet.
In 1981, Brian Blessed performed in the original London production of the musical Cats. He played two characters: Old Deuteronomy and Bustopher Jones.
Voice Acting
Brian Blessed is also well-known for his powerful voice. In 1999, he provided the voice for Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. He also voiced the villainous hunter Clayton in Disney's animated movie Tarzan. He even performed the famous Tarzan yell for the film!
He has voiced characters in children's cartoons like Bob in Kika & Bob and Grampy Rabbit in Peppa Pig. His voice has also been used for satellite navigation systems like TomTom and in video games.
Amazing Expeditions
Brian Blessed is not just an actor; he's also an explorer! He has attempted to climb Mount Everest three times. He reached very high altitudes, but didn't make it to the very top without extra oxygen.
He has successfully climbed other famous mountains like Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He also went on an expedition into the jungles of Venezuela, where he survived a plane crash.
Brian Blessed is the oldest person to have reached the North Magnetic Pole on foot. He even tells a story about punching a polar bear on the nose during that trip!
Other Work and Interests
Brian Blessed has done many other interesting things. He has completed 800 hours of space training in Russia, preparing for space travel.
He has also appeared on various TV shows as a guest or presenter, including A Question of Sport and Have I Got News for You. In 2014, he was the subject of an episode of the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?, which explored his family history.
Brian Blessed is a black belt in judo. He lives in Surrey and is a patron for animal charities like Pet Respect and Hopefield Animal Sanctuary.
Health and Honours
Brian Blessed has faced some health challenges. He had a nervous breakdown when he was 18, but he recovered with the help of his friends and family. In 2015, he collapsed on stage during a play and later had a pacemaker fitted to help his heart.
He has received several honorary degrees from universities, including the University of Bradford and Sheffield Hallam University. The University of York even named a study area the "Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study" in his honor.
In 2016, he was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the arts and charity.
See also
In Spanish: Brian Blessed para niños
