Nigel Green

English actor (1924–1972)

Nigel McGown Green (15 October 192415 May 1972) was an English character actor. Because of his strapping build, commanding height (6 feet (2 m)) and regimental demeanour he would often be found playing military types and men of action in such classic 1960s films as Jason and the Argonauts, Zulu, Tobruk and The Ipcress File.

Nigel Green was born in Pretoria, South Africa, where his father, pioneering animal health biochemist Henry Hamilton Green, DSc, was employed as professor of biochemistry and sub director of the Veterinary Research Laboratories at Onderstepoort (he was later a researcher at New Haw in Surrey, having been director of the Scottish Dairy Research Institute). He was subsequently raised in London, attending King's College School, Wimbledon and the University of London, followed by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. During the Second World War he trained as an Observer in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Among early stage appearances, he was at London's New Theatre (now the Noël Coward Theatre) in October 1948, playing multiple roles in John Burrell's Old Vic company revival of The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. At the Stratford Memorial Theatre in 1950, he was cast as Sir Thomas Lovell in Henry VIII (directed by Tyrone Guthrie), Abhorson in Peter Brook's production of Measure for Measure (which also went on tour in Germany), Decius Brutus in Julius Caesar (directed by Anthony Quayle), and most notably Edmund in King Lear, starring and co directed by John Gielgud. Subsequent West End appearances included Come Live With Me (directed by Roy Rich: Vaudeville Theatre, June 1951), Heloise (directed by Michael Powell: Duke of York's Theatre, November 1951), Vernon Sylvaine's As Long as They're Happy, opposite Jack Buchanan (directed by Roy Rich: Garrick Theatre, July 1953), Félicien Marceau's The Egg (directed by Charles Frank: Saville Theatre, October 1957)) and Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder (directed by Hubert Gregg: Duchess Theatre, March 1960). In his second volume of autobiography, Michael Powell pointed out that, though the play they collaborated on was a failure, "Nigel Green, with his great face and towering figure, would soon make a name for himself in movies. Who could ever forget him in Zulu? He was an almost mythical figure, like Harry Andrews and Victor McLaglen, and later John Wayne, all of them genuine and generous artists. Among other men they were like Norse gods, mythical, large and gentle, suddenly exploding into rage and performing fabulous feats of strength."

Early film roles included Reach for the Sky (1956), The Criminal (1960), The League of Gentlemen (1960) and Beat Girl (1960). He had a leading role as Inspector Sir Denis Nayland Smith in The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) and the supporting role of Major Dalby in The Ipcress File (also 1965). Other roles include Carl Petersen in the Bulldog Drummond film Deadlier Than the Male (1967), as McCune, a devious Australian in the 1967 comedy adventure The Pink Jungle, Count Contini in the Matt Helm film The Wrecking Crew (1969), and 'Lord Ashley's Whore' in John Huston's The Kremlin Letter (1969). His many military roles included parts in Khartoum (1966), Tobruk (1967), Fräulein Doktor and Play Dirty (both 1969). Green also appeared in a number of horror films, including Corridors of Blood (1958), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), The Skull (1965), Let's Kill Uncle (1966) and Countess Dracula (1971). His penultimate role was as McKyle the 'Electric Messiah', a mental patient believing himself to be God, in The Ruling Class (1972). His television appearances included The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, The Adventures of William Tell, The Other Man, Danger Man, The Power Game, The Avengers, Sherlock Holmes, Jason King, The Protectors and The Persuaders!.

Green's first wife was the actress Patricia Marmont. His second wife was the actress Pamela Gordon, with whom he had one daughter.

Green died following an overdose of sleeping pills in 1972, aged 47. It is unknown if his death was intentional. Peter O'Toole said on his commentary on The Ruling Class that he believed Green was very depressed and that his death shortly after filming ended was a suicide, although Green's family believed it to be accidental. He was separated from Gordon at the time.

Year Title Role Notes 1954 Meet Mr. Malcolm Stranger from Venus Second Police Officer The Sea Shall Not Have Them Met Officer Howard 1955 As Long as They're Happy Peter Pember 1956 Reach for the Sky Streatfield Find the Lady Photographer Uncredited 1957 Bitter Victory Private Wilkins 1958 The Gypsy and the Gentleman Game Pup Corridors of Blood Inspector Donovan 1959 Witness in the Dark The Intruder 1960 League of Gentlemen Kissing man in truck Uncredited Beat Girl Simon Sword of Sherwood Forest Little John The Criminal Ted 1961 Man at the Carlton Tower Lew Daney Edgar Wallace Mysteries Gorgo Bulletin Announcer Uncredited Pit of Darkness Jonathan The Queen's Guards Abu Sibdar 1962 The Spanish Sword Baron Breaute Playback Ralph Monk Edgar Wallace Mysteries The Durant Affair Sir Patrick 1963 Mystery Submarine Chief ERA Lovejoy Jason and the Argonauts Hercules The Man Who Finally Died Sergeant Hirsch 1964 Zulu Colour Sergeant Bourne Saturday Night Out Paddy The Masque of the Red Death Ludovico 1965 The Ipcress File Major Dalby The Face of Fu Manchu Sir Denis Nayland Smith The Skull Inspector Wilson 1966 Khartoum General Wolseley Let's Kill Uncle The Uncle Major Kevin Harrison 1967 Tobruk Lieutenant Colonel John Harker Deadlier Than the Male Carl Petersen The Queen's Traitor John Hawkins Africa Texas Style Karl Bekker 1968 The Pink Jungle Crowley The Wrecking Crew Count Massimo Contini 1969 Play Dirty Colonel Masters Fräulein Doktor Colonel Mathesius 1970 The Kremlin Letter The Whore 1971 Countess Dracula Captain Dobi the Castle Steward 1972 The Ruling Class McKyle 1973 Gawain and the Green Knight Green Knight (final film role)