Keith Michell


Actor, Director
Keith Michell

About

Born
December 01, 1928

Biography

Actor Keith Michell was originally an art instructor who moved to London to pursue a career in acting in 1951. He alternated between the stage and small screen for most of the '50s, starring in musicals like "Man of La Mancha" and "Robert and Elizabeth," and appearing on television in the adventure drama "The Black Arrow" and the Shakespearean comedy "The Merry Wives of Windsor." He gain...

Biography

Actor Keith Michell was originally an art instructor who moved to London to pursue a career in acting in 1951. He alternated between the stage and small screen for most of the '50s, starring in musicals like "Man of La Mancha" and "Robert and Elizabeth," and appearing on television in the adventure drama "The Black Arrow" and the Shakespearean comedy "The Merry Wives of Windsor." He gained recognition with his portrayal of Heathcliff in a 1962 TV production of Emily Bronte's relationship drama "Wuthering Heights" and carved out a niche for himself in his ability to play classical figures from history and literature. Michell has played Marc Antony, Jacob, David, Pontius Pilate, Captain James Cook, and Professor Henry Higgins in his six-decade career. His most famous role came as the title character in the six part miniseries "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" in 1970 for the BBC, turned into a feature film in 1972. He also crossed the pond to play a recurring role as a jewel thief turned investigator on nine episodes of the mystery series "Murder, She Wrote" from 1988 until 1993. A man of many talents, Michell has written musicals, is a painter and illustrator, and is the author of several macrobiotic cookbooks. He is married to actress Jeanette Sterke and is the father of actress Helena Michell.

Life Events

Videos

Movie Clip

All Night Long (1963) -- (Movie Clip) Pretty Chummy Charles Mingus on bass and Tubby Hayes on vibes provide background as London club owner Rod (Richard Attenborough) and manager Cass (Keith Michell) talk shop in All Night Long, 1963.
All Night Long (1963) -- (Movie Clip) You Kick One Habit Johnny (Patrick McGoohan) manipulates ex-addict Cass (Keith Michell) with some evil weed and mind games at a London jazz party in director Basil Dearden's All Night Long, 1963.
All Night Long (1963) -- (Movie Clip) Margolis on Jazz Stoned Cass (Keith Michell) uses jazz theory to insult impresario Berger (Bernard Braden) who spurns apologies from Rod (Richard Attenborough), Johnny (Patrick McGoohan and Rex (Paul Harris) in All Night Long, 1963.
Seven Seas To Calais (1962) -- (Movie Clip) We Have Come Here To Punish You Queen Elizabeth (Irene Worth) holding off the Spanish ambassador (Arturo Dominici), is rescued by Malcolm (Keith Mitchell), just returned with Drake (Rod Taylor) from a three year mission, scheming with Walsingham (Basil Dignam) to impress the foreigners, then celebrating, in Seven Seas To Calais, 1962.
Seven Seas To Calais (1962) -- (Movie Clip) Trouble On The Deck Waiting for wind in the South Atlantic, Malcolm (Keith Mitchell) informs Captain Francis Drake (Rod Taylor) that Cardigan (Giuseppe Abbrescia), an old and otherwise loyal friend, is leading the crew in insurrection, in the Italian-made Seven Seas To Calais, 1962.
Seven Seas To Calais (1962) -- (Movie Clip) A Mountain Of Spanish Gold After being scolded for piracy, in front of the Spaniards, in their first formal meeting, Drake (Rod Taylor) is escorted by Walsingham (Basil Dignam), then finds out what her majesty Queen Elizabeth (Irene Worth) really wants, early in the Italian-made MGM swashbuckler Seven Seas To Calais, 1962.

Bibliography