Dinsdale Landen facts for kids

Dinsdale James Landen (born September 4, 1932 – died December 29, 2003) was a talented English actor. He was known for his roles in TV shows like Devenish and Pig in the Middle. People often praised him for being great at comedy, especially in funny plays. He also acted in many plays by William Shakespeare at famous theaters like Stratford-upon-Avon.

Early Life of Dinsdale Landen

Dinsdale Landen was born in Margate, a town in Kent, England. He went to school at King's School, Rochester.

Dinsdale Landen's Acting Career

Landen started his acting career on television in 1959. He played the grown-up Pip in a TV version of Great Expectations. His first movie role was a small part in The League of Gentlemen in 1960.

TV Shows and Stage Plays

In the 1960s, Landen starred in TV series such as Mickey Dunne and The Mask of Janus. He also appeared in The Spies, which was a spin-off from The Mask of Janus. In 1969, he played Chris Champers in the comedy show World in Ferment.

As a stage actor, he performed in a play called London Assurance in 1970 with the RSC. He also acted in the play Bodies in London's West End in 1979. For this role, he was nominated for a special award called the Society of West End Theatre Award.

Film Roles

Dinsdale Landen appeared in many movies. Some of his film roles include:

• Operation Snatch (1962)
• A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964)
• Rasputin, the Mad Monk (1966)
• Mosquito Squadron (1969)
• Every Home Should Have One (1970)
• Young Winston (1972)
• Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World (1973)
• International Velvet (1978)
• Morons from Outer Space (1985)
• The Buccaneers (1995)
• The Steal (1995)

Radio Work

Landen also had a successful career in radio. He played General Bel Riose in a 1973 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of The Foundation Trilogy. He was also Dr. Watson in a 1974 radio version of A Study in Scarlet. In 1976, he played Art Gordo in Down Payment on Death. He also appeared in the 1982 play The Dog It Was That Died and the BBC Radio 4 series Flying the Flag.

Notable TV Appearances

In 1971, Landen played Dr. Mark Thorn in the TV series The Guardians. He was the only actor to play the same character, private detective Matthew Earp, in two episodes of Thriller (in 1973 and 1974). He also appeared in The Glittering Prizes in 1976.

In 1977, Landen starred in his own comedy show called Devenish. He played a character who designed board games. In 1980, he starred as Barty Wade in the TV series Pig in the Middle alongside Liza Goddard.

In 1984, Landen played Jean-Martin Charcot in the TV series Freud. In 1987, he was the lead in a BBC TV show called What the Butler Saw.

In 1989, he made a guest appearance in Doctor Who. He played Dr. Judson in the episode The Curse of Fenric. In 1992, Landen provided the voice of the bad guy Mr. Tod in the children's cartoon series The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends. He also had a regular role in the TV show Lovejoy in the 1990s.

Personal Life

Dinsdale Landen was married to actress Jennifer Daniel. They even wrote a non-fiction book together in 1985 called The True Story of H.P. Sauce.

Death

Dinsdale Landen passed away at his home in South Creake, Norfolk, on December 29, 2003. He became ill with pneumonia. He had been diagnosed with oral cancer some years before, but it was in remission when he died.

Filmography