Don Warrington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Warrington MBE
Warrington in 2017
Born	Don Williams (1952-05-23) 23 May 1952 (age 73) Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Education	Harris College Drama Centre London
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974–present
Spouse(s)	Mary Maddocks
Children	2

Don Warrington, born Don Williams on May 23, 1952, is a famous actor from Trinidad who grew up in Britain. He is most famous for his roles as Philip Smith in the TV show Rising Damp (from 1974 to 1978) and as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in the detective series Death in Paradise (which started in 2011 and is still going!).

He was given a special award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2008 for his work.

Early Life and Beginnings

Don Warrington was born in Trinidad. When he was young, he moved to England with his mother and brother. His sister stayed in Trinidad. He grew up in a city called Newcastle upon Tyne. His father, Basil Kydd, was a politician in Trinidad who passed away in 1958.

Don went to Harris College, which is now the University of Central Lancashire. He then trained to be an actor at the Drama Centre London. When he joined the actors' union, Equity, he found there was already an actor named Don Williams. So, he chose the stage name "Warrington" after the street he lived on, Warrington Road. He started acting in plays when he was just 17 years old.

Don Warrington's Acting Career

Don Warrington has had a long and successful career in television, film, and theatre.

Television and Film Roles

Don is widely known for playing Philip Smith in the TV show Rising Damp. He starred in this show from 1974 to 1978. He also played Nigel Beaumont in the crime drama C.A.T.S. Eyes from 1985 to 1987.

He has appeared in many other popular TV shows, including:

• Red Dwarf
• Lovejoy
• Manchild
• Diamond Geezer
• The Crouches (where he played Bailey)
• Casualty (as Trevor, the Hospital Chaplain)
• Grange Hill (as Mr Peters, a student's father)

Don also played the President of an alternative Great Britain in the Doctor Who episode "Rise of the Cybermen" in 2006. He has also done voice work for BBC television and radio.

Since 2011, Don Warrington has been a main character in the popular BBC show Death in Paradise. He plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, the head of the police force on a sunny Caribbean island.

His film roles include the movie version of Rising Damp (1980), Bloodbath at the House of Death (1983), and Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet (1996).

Theatre Performances

Don Warrington is also a talented theatre actor. He has performed with famous theatre companies like the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 2012 and 2013, he toured with a new stage version of Driving Miss Daisy. In 2013, he played the main character, Joe Keller, in a play called All My Sons. Critics loved his performance!

In 2016, Don took on a very challenging role: King Lear in the play of the same name. Many people praised his powerful and amazing performance. He also appeared in Glengarry Glenn Ross and Death of a Salesman on stage.

Strictly Come Dancing Journey

In 2008, Don Warrington joined the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing. This is a popular TV show where celebrities learn to dance with professional partners. Don was partnered with Lilia Kopylova, a champion Latin American dancer.

He wanted to join the show to try something new and learn to dance. He did well for a few weeks, but in Week 5, he was eliminated after losing a dance-off. Even though he didn't win, he enjoyed the experience of learning to dance!

Filmography

Film Appearances

Television Roles