Renowned British classical stage star Tony Britton was born in Birmingham, England, the son of Edward Leslie and Doris (Jones) Britton in 1924. He took his first professional curtain call at age 18 in "Quiet Weekend" with a company in Weston-Super-Mare just before joining the Army in November of 1942. Serving with the Royal Artillery for 4 1/2 years, he eventually returned to the theater after the war, at first in the capacity of an assistant stage manager at the Manchester Library Theatre. While there he progressed to lead actor, then made his London debut in "The Rising Wind" at the Embassy Theatre.
Tony began elevating his name in repertory at Edinburgh and the Bristol Old Vic during the 1951 season, but major attention came after being cast as Rameses in Christopher Fry's "The Firstborn" at London's Winter Garden Theatre in 1952. This success led to the leading role and excellent critical notices in "The Player King" later that year at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. Glen Byam Shaw, director of the Memorial Theatre, witnessed this performance and invited him join his company. He remained there for two seasons playing Bassiano opposite Peggy Ashcroft in "The Merchant of Venice," as well as essaying the roles of Cassio in "Othello", Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" and Lysander in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", among others.
Other London stage roles came with "The Night of the Ball" opposite Wendy Hiller andGladys Cooper, and "Gigi" starring Leslie Caron. At the Old Vic he played Trigorin in "The Seagull" and Hotspur in "Henry IV" before settling in for an over two-year run as Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady". He would return to this part more than once over a decade later.
A renaissance man of the theatre, Tony didn't pursue film roles with equal zest, yet his infrequent offerings reliably enhanced any project he was involved in. The highlights of his 20 or so movies include both lead and supporting parts in The Birthday Present(1957) (co-starring Sylvia Syms, Behind the Mask (1958) with Michael Redgrave, The Risk (1960) opposite Virginia Maskell, Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) and The Day of the Jackal (1973); his last film to date was released decades ago -- Agatha (1979) starringDustin Hoffman and Vanessa Redgrave.
On TV Tony has portrayed assorted men of distinction -- lords, sirs, captains ,and the like in TV movies. He lightened up considerably in his numerous comedy series, including the popular Robin's Nest (1977) and Don't Wait Up (1983), both which ran for several seasons. He has contributed his mellifluous voice to books on tape as well. Divorced from Ruth Hawkins, who bore him two children, he has since been married to Eve Birkefeldt. His three children -- classical actor Jasper Britton, writer Cherry Britton, and correspondent Fern Britton -- have all been involved one way or another in the entertainment field.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
Noel's House Party (1991)
Guest starring as Tony Britton
(2 episodes)
- Episode 3x11: Episode 11 (Jan 8, 1994)
- Episode 2x03: Episode 3 (Nov 7, 1992)
Robin's Nest (1977)
Starring as James Nicholls
(48 episodes)
- Episode 6x07: The Headhunters of SW6 (Mar 31, 1981)
- Episode 6x06: Wish You Weren't Here (Mar 24, 1981)
- Episode 6x05: Anniversary Waltz (Mar 17, 1981)
- Episode 6x04: When Irish Eyes are Smiling (Mar 10, 1981)
- Episode 6x03: No Smoke Without Fire (Mar 3, 1981)
- Episode 6x02: The Homecoming (Feb 24, 1981)
- Episode 6x01: Move Over Darling (Feb 17, 1981)
- Episode 5x07: Christmas at Robin's Nest: No Room at the Inn (Dec 24, 1980)
- Episode 5x06: Great Expectations (Feb 12, 1980)
- Episode 5x05: Just an Old-Fashioned Girl (Feb 5, 1980)
- Episode 5x04: Never Look a Gift Horse ... (Jan 29, 1980)
- Episode 5x03: If You Pass "Go" Collect £200 (Jan 22, 1980)
- Episode 5x02: A Man of Property (Jan 15, 1980)
- Episode 5x01: Pastures New (Jan 8, 1980)
- Episode 4x08: Christmas at Robin's Nest (Dec 27, 1979)
- Episode 4x07: Albert's Ball (Apr 5, 1979)
- Episode 4x06: Sorry Partner (Mar 29, 1979)
- Episode 4x05: September Song (Mar 22, 1979)
- Episode 4x04: Too Many Waiters Spoil the Bistro (Mar 15, 1979)
- Episode 4x03: Lost Weekend (Mar 8, 1979)
- Episode 4x02: Person Friday Required (Mar 1, 1979)
- Episode 4x01: Should Auld Acquaintance (Feb 22, 1979)
- Episode 3x13: The Happy Hen (Dec 18, 1978)
- Episode 3x12: At Harm's Length (Dec 11, 1978)
- Episode 3x11: The Long Distance Runner (Dec 4, 1978)
- Episode 3x10: Day Trippers (Nov 27, 1978)
- Episode 3x09: Be It Ever So Humble (Nov 20, 1978)
- Episode 3x08: Everything You Wish Yourself (Nov 13, 1978)
- Episode 3x07: Dinner Date (Nov 6, 1978)
- Episode 3x06: Once Two is Three (Oct 30, 1978)
- Episode 3x05: England Expects (Oct 23, 1978)
- Episode 3x04: Away from All What? (Oct 16, 1978)
- Episode 3x03: Just Desserts (Oct 9, 1978)
- Episode 3x02: The Candidate (Oct 2, 1978)
- Episode 3x01: You Need Hands (Sep 25, 1978)
- Episode 2x06: Love & Marriage (Mar 30, 1978)
- Episode 2x05: Great Expectations (Mar 23, 1978)
- Episode 2x04: Three Times Table (Mar 16, 1978)
- Episode 2x03: Ups & Downs (Mar 9, 1978)
- Episode 2x02: The Seven Pound Fiddle (Mar 2, 1978)
- Episode 2x01: As Long as He Needs Me (Feb 28, 1978)
- Episode 1x07: Oh Happy Day (Feb 22, 1977)
- Episode 1x06: A Matter of Note (Feb 15, 1977)
- Episode 1x05: Piggy in the Middle (Feb 8, 1977)
- Episode 1x04: The Maternal Triangle (Feb 1, 1977)
- Episode 1x03: A Little Competition (Jan 25, 1977)
- Episode 1x02: The Bistro Kids (Jan 18, 1977)
- Episode 1x01: Sleeping Partners (Jan 11, 1977)
And Mother Makes Five (1974)
Starring as Josh Spicer
(4 episodes)
- Episode 3x06: Art for Art's Sake (Jul 9, 1975)
- Episode 3x05: Legs Eleven (Jul 2, 1975)
- Episode 3x04: The Mating Test (Jun 25, 1975)
- Episode 3x03: Friends and Neighbours (Jun 18, 1975)
The Wonderful World of Disney (1954)
Guest starring as Simon Bates
(3 episodes)
- Episode 10x19: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (3) (Feb 23, 1964)
- Episode 10x18: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (2) (Feb 16, 1964)
- Episode 10x17: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1) (Feb 9, 1964)
Guest starring as Major George Brooke
(2 episodes)
- Episode 8x03: The Horsemasters (2) (Oct 8, 1961)
- Episode 8x02: The Horsemasters (1) (Oct 1, 1961)