Timothy West

He played the Prince of Wales / King Edward VII between the ages of 22 (in 1863) and 68 (in 1910) in Edward the King (1975).

A versatile British actor noted for his great power and command on the classical stage and in several other mediums including radio, film and television, Timothy West was born on October 20, 1934 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, the son of actors (Harry) Lockwood West and his wife Olive (Carleton-Crowe).

1953 was box office manager at the Frinton Summer theatre in Essex.

Educated at John Lyon School and the Polytechnic, he first appeared on the stage in 1956 at the Wimbledon Theatre in a production of "Summertime". He then spent several seasons in repertory at such venues as Wimbledon, Newquay, Hull, Northampton, Worthing and Salisbury.

He made his London debut at the Piccadilly Theatre in the comical farce "Caught Napping" in 1959.

Met second wife Prunella Scales in 1960 when they appeared together in the television production "She Died Young". They married three years later after his divorce.

For the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Aldwych (in 1964), he appeared in "Afore Night Come" and "The Marat-Sade", in addition to building up his Shakespeare repertoire with roles in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", "Love's Labour's Lost", "The Merchant of Venice", "The Comedy of Errors" and "Timon of Athens". For the Prospect Theatre Company, he appeared he took on the Shakespearean roles of Prospero ("The Tempest"), Claudius ("Hamlet"), Bolingbroke ("Richard II") and Mortimer ("Edward II"), among others. He also played the noted historical figure Samuel Johnson in two plays. Along with definitive portrayals of Lear, Macbeth, Falstaff and Shylock, he became well-respected as a stage director. More recently, he directed a touring production of "H. M. S. Pinafore" while delightfully grandstanding in the role of Sir Joseph Porter. Other recent performances at age 70+ include "National Hero" and the title role in "The Life of Galileo". Cutting a grand and imposing Wellesian figure, his acclaimed work on television has included recreating a number of his classical characters.

Although his star shines less bright on film, he has nevertheless contributed greatly over the years with marvelously stern and scowling character roles in such prestigious/box office fare as Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), The Day of the Jackal (1973), Hedda (1975) (as Judge Brack), Agatha (1979), Cry Freedom (1987), Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998), 102 Dalmatians (2000), Iris (2001), Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones (1990), Endgame (2009), Run for Your Wife (2012) and Delirium (2017). Long married to second wife actress/comedienne Prunella Scales, the couple have appeared together on stage over the years in such productions as "When We Are Married", "A Long Day's Journey Into Night", "The Birthday Party" and "The External". They have two sons, Joseph West (Joe) and Samuel West, the latter also an actor of note. Timothy's daughter Juliet is from his first marriage. A gifted raconteur, he is the author of several books, including "I'm Here I Think, Where are You?", a collection of letters written while on tour, his autobiography "A Moment Towards the End of the Play," and, his most recent, "So You Want to Be an Actor?" co-written with wife Prunella.

He has played kingly roles, such as his superb Edward VII in the epic miniseries Edward the King (1975), and essayed a number of notable historical figures such as Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII (1979), Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbechev in Breakthrough at Reykjavik (1987) and Martin Luther (2002).

He has portrayed Winston Churchill a number of times in such master productions as Churchill and the Generals (1979), The Last Bastion (1984) and Hiroshima (1995), while his extended gallery of greats have gone on to include Sir Thomas Beecham and Joseph Stalin.

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to drama in the 1984 Queen's Birthday Honours List. His wife, Prunella Scales, was awarded the CBE in the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Considered for the roles of Dr. Armstrong, Sir Percy Heseltine and Dr. Bukovsky in Lifeforce (1985).

He and his son Samuel West have both played roles in diffrent film adoptions of 101 Dalmatians. In 102 Dalmatians (2000) Timothy plays the Judge while in 101 Dalmatians II Patchs London Adventure Samuel is the voice of Pongo.

Has two granddaughters, born in 2014 and 2017, via son Samuel West and his partner Laura Wade.

Has traced his family back to the Carletons in 17th century at Rossfad, near Innisklew, Ireland.