Misplaced Pages

Mark Lester: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 20:30, 17 December 2013 editManxwoman (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,256 edits →Career as child actor: r/plcd dead link← Previous edit Revision as of 14:31, 28 February 2014 edit undoRadiopathy (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users18,608 editsm ce, MOS:NOTUSA,date formats per WP:MOSNUM by script, all British spelling by scriptNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{For|the film director|Mark L. Lester}} {{For|the film director|Mark L. Lester}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
Line 14: Line 15:


==Early life== ==Early life==
Lester was born in the city of ] in ] in Southern England, to actress Rita Keene Lester and actor and producer Michael Lester (originally Michael Boris Letzer).<ref name="book">{{cite book|last=McNeill|first=Ruby Simonson|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Cain Connections|publisher=|year=1982|location=|pages=|month=|url=|id=ISBN}}</ref> His father was ]ish and his mother ].<ref name="book"/> Lester was born in the city of ], ] in Southern England, to actress Rita Keene Lester and actor and producer Michael Lester (originally Michael Boris Letzer).<ref name="book">{{cite book|last=McNeill|first=Ruby Simonson|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Cain Connections|publisher=|year=1982|location=|pages=|month=|url=|id=ISBN}}</ref> His father was ]ish and his mother ].<ref name="book"/>


Lester was educated at three independent schools: at ] in Ravenscourt Park in West London, followed by ], a boys' preparatory school near ] (also in West London), and at ] in ] in ]. Lester was educated at three independent schools: at ] in Ravenscourt Park in West London, followed by ], a boys' preparatory school near ] (also in West London), and at ] in ] in ].
Line 23: Line 24:
In 1964, at the age of six, Lester was cast in ]'s film '']'' (English title ''The Counterfeit Constable'') with ] (who appeared in the 1948 film version of '']''). He played a small part as the second schoolboy in '']''. In 1964, at the age of six, Lester was cast in ]'s film '']'' (English title ''The Counterfeit Constable'') with ] (who appeared in the 1948 film version of '']''). He played a small part as the second schoolboy in '']''.


In 1967, at the age of eight,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/495026/ |title=BFI Screenonline: Oliver! (1968) |publisher=Screenonline.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-11-03}}</ref> Lester was cast in the title role in the film version of ]'s musical '']''. The multiple ]-winning adaptation of ]' novel co-starred ], ], ] and ] and was directed by Sir ]. Since Lester could not sing, all of his singing in the movie was dubbed by ], daughter of the film's music arranger ].<ref>. Accessed 6 November 2013</ref> Lester was good friends with Wild throughout the making of the film and their friendship continued after production with Lester describing Wild as a "long lost brother". When Wild was nominated for an Academy Award for the film, they were flown together to the USA for the ceremony.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} In 1967, at the age of eight,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/495026/ |title=BFI Screenonline: Oliver! (1968) |publisher=Screenonline.org.uk |date= |accessdate=3 November 2012}}</ref> Lester was cast in the title role in the film version of ]'s musical '']''. The multiple ]-winning adaptation of ]' novel co-starred ], ], ] and ] and was directed by Sir ]. Since Lester could not sing, all of his singing in the movie was dubbed by ], daughter of the film's music arranger ].<ref>. Accessed 6 November 2013</ref> Lester was good friends with Wild throughout the making of the film and their friendship continued after production with Lester describing Wild as a "long lost brother". When Wild was nominated for an Academy Award for the film, they were flown together to the United States for the ceremony.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}


These two child actors later reunited for '']'' (1971), which depicted British schoolchildren in love. ] played the role of Melody in the film, which used music from the ] and ]. These two child actors later reunited for '']'' (1971), which depicted British schoolchildren in love. ] played the role of Melody in the film, which used music from the ] and ].
Line 30: Line 31:


==Adult life== ==Adult life==
After the poor reception of ''Crossed Swords'' Lester gave up acting at the age of 19. He took his ] at the age of 28 and became an ], studying at the ]. In 1993, Lester opened the Carlton Clinic, an acupuncture clinic in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carltonclinic.com |title=Carlton Clinic |publisher=Carlton Clinic |date= |accessdate=2012-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref> After the poor reception of ''Crossed Swords'' Lester gave up acting at the age of 19. He took his ] at the age of 28 and became an ], studying at the ]. In 1993, Lester opened the Carlton Clinic, an acupuncture clinic in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carltonclinic.com |title=Carlton Clinic |publisher=Carlton Clinic |date= |accessdate=3 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref>


He married in January 1993 and with his wife had 4 children but divorced in 2005. In 2006 he remarried, to Lisa, a psychiatric nurse. He married in January 1993 and with his wife had 4 children but divorced in 2005. In 2006 he remarried, to Lisa, a psychiatric nurse.
Line 36: Line 37:
He is a patron of the theatre charity ]. He is a patron of the theatre charity ].


Lester was a close friend of ]. In August 2009, Lester gave an interview to the British tabloid newspaper '']'', claiming that he could be the biological father of Paris Katherine Jackson, the late singer's daughter. Lester claimed to have been a ] for Jackson in 1996, and announced that he was willing to take a ] to determine whether he was the father.<ref>{{cite web | title =I'm real father of Michael Jackson's girl, claims Mark Lester|author=Basnett, Guy| publisher = ]| url=http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz/michael_jackson/443550/Im-real-father-Michael-Jacksons-girl-claims-Mark-Lester.html|accessdate= 2009-08-09 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title =Jackson friend claims paternity|author=| publisher = BBC News| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8192030.stm|accessdate= 2009-08-09 | date=10 August 2009}}</ref> However he had previously "rubbished" all claims that Jackson was not the father.<ref>{{cite web|url= Lester was a close friend of ]. In August 2009, Lester gave an interview to the British tabloid newspaper '']'', claiming that he could be the biological father of Paris Katherine Jackson, the late singer's daughter. Lester claimed to have been a ] for Jackson in 1996, and announced that he was willing to take a ] to determine whether he was the father.<ref>{{cite web | title =I'm real father of Michael Jackson's girl, claims Mark Lester|author=Basnett, Guy| publisher = ]| url=http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz/michael_jackson/443550/Im-real-father-Michael-Jacksons-girl-claims-Mark-Lester.html|accessdate= 9 August 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title =Jackson friend claims paternity| publisher = BBC News| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8192030.stm|accessdate= 9 August 2009 | date=10 August 2009}}</ref> However he had previously "rubbished" all claims that Jackson was not the father.<ref>{{cite web|url=
http://www.hellomagazine.com/music/200907061584/michael/jackson/exclusive/1/|title=Hello Magazine |publisher=Hello Magazine |date= |accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref> His ex-wife and the mother of his children, Jane Lester, also refuted these claims stating that Lester was "nuts" and had only got to know Jackson after the birth of his children in 2001, she stated that, "As soon as got a whiff of Jackson’s fame, he went ballistic." <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.hellomagazine.com/music/200907061584/michael/jackson/exclusive/1/|title=Hello Magazine |publisher=Hello Magazine |date= |accessdate=7 June 2009}}</ref> His ex-wife and the mother of his children, Jane Lester, also refuted these claims stating that Lester was "nuts" and had only got to know Jackson after the birth of his children in 2001, she stated that, "As soon as got a whiff of Jackson’s fame, he went ballistic." <ref>{{cite web|url=
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1206715/Is-ex-husband-Mark-Lester-father-Jackos-children-No-hes-completely-nuts.html |title=Daily Mail |publisher=Daily Mail |date= |accessdate=2009-08-16}}</ref> Brian Oxman, former lawyer for the Jackson family, rejected the claim in a television interview, stating, “The thing I always heard from Michael was that Michael was the father of these children, and I believe Michael."<ref>{{cite news | title =Michael Jackson lawyer rejects Mark Lester claims he is Paris' father |author=| publisher = Daily Telegraph| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6002778/Michael-Jackson-lawyer-rejects-Mark-Lester-claims-he-is-Paris-father.html|accessdate= 2009-08-10 | location=London | date=2009-08-10}}</ref> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1206715/Is-ex-husband-Mark-Lester-father-Jackos-children-No-hes-completely-nuts.html |title=Daily Mail |publisher=Daily Mail |date= |accessdate=16 August 2009}}</ref> Brian Oxman, former lawyer for the Jackson family, rejected the claim in a television interview, stating, “The thing I always heard from Michael was that Michael was the father of these children, and I believe Michael."<ref>{{cite news | title =Michael Jackson lawyer rejects Mark Lester claims he is Paris' father | publisher = Daily Telegraph| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6002778/Michael-Jackson-lawyer-rejects-Mark-Lester-claims-he-is-Paris-father.html|accessdate= 10 August 2009 | location=London | date=10 August 2009}}</ref>


==Return to acting== ==Return to acting==
Lester will return to acting in the 2015 film '']'', starring as ].<ref name="TIG">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/child-star-Mark-Lester-brings-son-Felix-role-30/story-18459961-detail/story.html|title=Former child star Mark Lester brings son Felix along for his first role in 30 years|publisher=This Is Gloucestershire|date=March 19, 2013}}</ref> The film will also see the acting debut of his son Felix.<ref name="TIG"/> Lester will return to acting in the 2015 film '']'', starring as ].<ref name="TIG">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/child-star-Mark-Lester-brings-son-Felix-role-30/story-18459961-detail/story.html|title=Former child star Mark Lester brings son Felix along for his first role in 30 years|publisher=This Is Gloucestershire|date=19 March 2013}}</ref> The film will also see the acting debut of his son Felix.<ref name="TIG"/>


==Filmography== ==Filmography==
Line 77: Line 78:
*{{IMDb name|504492}} *{{IMDb name|504492}}


{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}


{{Authority control|VIAF=61435716}} {{Authority control|VIAF=61435716}}

Revision as of 14:31, 28 February 2014

For the film director, see Mark L. Lester.
Mark Lester
Lester in 1977
Born (1958-07-11) 11 July 1958 (age 66)
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Years active1964–1977
2009–present
Spouse(s)Jane (1993–2005, divorced)
Lisa (2006–present)
Children4

Mark Lester (born Mark A. Letzer; 11 July 1958) is an English former child star and actor known for playing the title role in the 1968 musical film version of Oliver! and starring in a number of other British and European films of the 1960s and 1970s and in a number of television series.

Early life

Lester was born in the city of Oxford, ] in Southern England, to actress Rita Keene Lester and actor and producer Michael Lester (originally Michael Boris Letzer). His father was Jewish and his mother Anglican.

Lester was educated at three independent schools: at Corona Theatre School in Ravenscourt Park in West London, followed by Tower House School, a boys' preparatory school near Richmond Park (also in West London), and at Halliford School in Shepperton in Surrey.

Career as child actor

Lester initially had supporting roles in several British television series, including The Human Jungle and Danger Man.

In 1964, at the age of six, Lester was cast in Robert Dhery's film Allez France! (English title The Counterfeit Constable) with Diana Dors (who appeared in the 1948 film version of Oliver Twist). He played a small part as the second schoolboy in Fahrenheit 451.

In 1967, at the age of eight, Lester was cast in the title role in the film version of Lionel Bart's musical Oliver!. The multiple Academy Award-winning adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel co-starred Jack Wild, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis and Oliver Reed and was directed by Sir Carol Reed. Since Lester could not sing, all of his singing in the movie was dubbed by Kathe Green, daughter of the film's music arranger Johnny Green. Lester was good friends with Wild throughout the making of the film and their friendship continued after production with Lester describing Wild as a "long lost brother". When Wild was nominated for an Academy Award for the film, they were flown together to the United States for the ceremony.

These two child actors later reunited for Melody (1971), which depicted British schoolchildren in love. Tracy Hyde played the role of Melody in the film, which used music from the Bee Gees and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

In 1969, Lester received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a dysfunctional and withdrawn only child in Run Wild, Run Free, starring opposite John Mills, and then as a disturbed child in the first regular episode of Then Came Bronson. Lester's acting roles peaked as he starred in Eyewitness (1970), with Susan George, Night Hair Child with Britt Ekland, Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?, with Shelley Winters, Melody and a film version of Black Beauty (all 1971). After this period, his acting roles in the UK would begin to wane as he found good roles harder to come by. He extended his range with roles in a series of films in Italy including Redneck (1972) with Telly Savalas and the Western Scalawag (1973) with Kirk Douglas. The final film of his Italian-based career was in the costume drama La Prima volta sull'erba (English title The First Time on the Grass, 1974), which was nominated for the Golden Bear prize at the 25th Berlin International Film Festival. Lester wrapped up his British film career with the lead role in the all-star film Crossed Swords aka The Prince and the Pauper (1977), starring Raquel Welch, Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, George C. Scott, and Oliver Reed, who had played Bill Sikes in Oliver!.

Adult life

After the poor reception of Crossed Swords Lester gave up acting at the age of 19. He took his A Levels at the age of 28 and became an osteopath, studying at the British School of Osteopathy. In 1993, Lester opened the Carlton Clinic, an acupuncture clinic in Cheltenham.

He married in January 1993 and with his wife had 4 children but divorced in 2005. In 2006 he remarried, to Lisa, a psychiatric nurse.

He is a patron of the theatre charity The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America.

Lester was a close friend of Michael Jackson. In August 2009, Lester gave an interview to the British tabloid newspaper News of the World, claiming that he could be the biological father of Paris Katherine Jackson, the late singer's daughter. Lester claimed to have been a sperm donor for Jackson in 1996, and announced that he was willing to take a paternity test to determine whether he was the father. However he had previously "rubbished" all claims that Jackson was not the father. His ex-wife and the mother of his children, Jane Lester, also refuted these claims stating that Lester was "nuts" and had only got to know Jackson after the birth of his children in 2001, she stated that, "As soon as got a whiff of Jackson’s fame, he went ballistic." Brian Oxman, former lawyer for the Jackson family, rejected the claim in a television interview, stating, “The thing I always heard from Michael was that Michael was the father of these children, and I believe Michael."

Return to acting

Lester will return to acting in the 2015 film 1066, starring as King Harold II. The film will also see the acting debut of his son Felix.

Filmography

TV series

References

  1. BFI | Film & TV Database | LESTER, Mark
  2. ^ McNeill, Ruby Simonson (1982). Cain Connections. ISBN. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  3. "BFI Screenonline: Oliver! (1968)". Screenonline.org.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  4. ABC News: "Oliver Twist's voice dubbed by girl: report", 19 December 2004. Accessed 6 November 2013
  5. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Berlin_International_Film_Festival/1975
  6. "Carlton Clinic". Carlton Clinic. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  8. Basnett, Guy. "I'm real father of Michael Jackson's girl, claims Mark Lester". News of the World. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  9. "Jackson friend claims paternity". BBC News. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  10. "Hello Magazine". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  11. "Daily Mail". Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  12. "Michael Jackson lawyer rejects Mark Lester claims he is Paris' father". London: Daily Telegraph. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  13. ^ "Former child star Mark Lester brings son Felix along for his first role in 30 years". This Is Gloucestershire. 19 March 2013.

External links

Template:Persondata

Categories: