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{{short description|English actor (born 1936)}}
{{About|the actor|the mythical figure|Bran the Blessed}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2009}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Brian Blessed | name = Brian Blessed
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|size=100%}}
| image = Brian Blessed by Offwhitehouse.jpg
| image_size = | image = Brian Blessed 2012 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Brian Blessed at ] 2007 | caption = Blessed in 2012
| birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|10|9|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], England
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1936|10|9|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=%2F61cw2GEAYP4cwmdOMP0MQ&scan=1|title=Index entry|accessdate=November 4, 2010|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/21354 |title=BFI biodata |publisher=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref>
| birth_place = ], England, UK | death_date =
| other_names = | death_place =
| occupation = Actor, author, director, TV presenter | education = ] (])
| years_active = 1962-present | occupation = {{flatlist|
* Actor
| spouse = ] (1978-present)
* presenter
* writer
* explorer
}} }}
| years_active = 1957–present
| works = ]
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Ann Bomann|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|]|1978|2023|end=died}}}}
| children = 2
}}
'''Brian Blessed''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|ɛ|s|ɪ|d}} {{Respell|BLES|id}}; born 9 October 1936) is an English actor. He is known for his distinctive bushy beard, booming voice, and exuberant personality and performances. He portrayed PC "Fancy" Smith in '']''; ] in the 1976 ] television production of '']''; ] in the ] of '']''; ] in '']''; ] and ] in the 1981 original London production of '']'' at the ]; ], in '']''; ] in '']''; and the voice of Clayton and the ] in Disney's '']''.


In 2016, Blessed was appointed ] (OBE) for services to the arts and charity.
'''Brian Blessed''' ({{pron-en|ˈblɛsɪd}}) (born 9 October 1936) is an ] actor. He is known for his sonorous voice and "hearty, king-sized portrayals".<ref name="imdb">{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000306/bio |publisher=] |title=Biography for Brian Blessed |accessdate=2009-05-17 }}</ref> He is also an author and ].


==Early life== ==Early life==
Blessed was born on 9 October 1936 at ]<ref>{{cite book|last=Blessed|first=Brian|title=The Dynamite Kid|year=1992|publisher=Bloomsbury|location=London|isbn=0-7475-1275-2|edition=1st|page=1|chapter=1}}</ref> in ], ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=%2F61cw2GEAYP4cwmdOMP0MQ&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=4 November 2010|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/21354 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301080045/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/21354 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 March 2007 |title=BFI biodata |publisher=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref> the son of William Blessed, a ] coal miner at ] (and himself the son of a coal miner) and cricketer for the ],<ref>Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC) – Series 11: 2. Brian Blessed</ref> and Hilda (née Wall). He had a brother Alan, seven years younger, and the pair "went everywhere together" when they were growing up. Alan Blessed died from leukaemia aged 52; their mother died aged 87, and their father died aged 99.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/jan/02/brian-blessed-family-values|title=My family values: Brian Blessed|date=2 January 2010|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Blessed's great-great-grandfather, Jabez Blessed, was the father of 13 children and worked as a china and glass dealer in ], ]; many of Blessed's relatives hail from Brigg.<ref name="ST">{{cite news|url=http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/think-Brian-Blessed-traces-Brigg-Winterton/story-22714610-detail/story.html|title=Who do you think you are? Brian Blessed traces Brigg & Winterton relatives on BBC1 tonight|newspaper=Scunthorpe Telegraph|date=14 August 2014|access-date=15 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814143723/http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/think-Brian-Blessed-traces-Brigg-Winterton/story-22714610-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 August 2014}}</ref>
The son of William Blessed, a ] ], and Hilda Wall, Blessed was born in the town of ] near ], England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nndb.com/people/866/000084614/ |title=Brian Blessed |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-05-05 }}</ref> He attended ] ], but was forced to leave school early and spent several years working at a variety of jobs, ranging from undertaker to plasterer's assistant to time in the ]. He began his training at the ]. He has written about his early life in his ], ''Dynamite Kid'' (1992).

Blessed went to ] Secondary Modern School, and completed his national service in the ],<ref>{{cite book|title=Absolute Pandemonium|last=Blessed|first=Brian|publisher=Pan Macmillan|year=2016|isbn=9781447292975|pages=67}}</ref> in ], before enrolling at the ] in 1956.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 May 1956 |title=Boltonian Will Play Shylock |pages=1 |work=South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002838/19560526/003/0001 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 August 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The International Who's Who 2004|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=9781857432176|page=|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/internationalwho2004ond/page/176}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=J. B. |date=22 September 1956 |title=Mexborough Theatre Guild: "Wuthering Heights" |pages=25 |work=South Yorkshire Times |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002838/19560922/257/0025 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 August 2023 |quote=...Brian Blessed, off next week to enrol with the Bristol Old Vic Drama Academy in the first phase in making the stage his professional career... |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>


==Career== ==Career==
===Acting===
An early role was that of ] 'Fancy' Smith in the ] police drama '']'' from 1962 to 1965. In 1966, Blessed appeared in "Incident at Vichy" at the Phoenix Theatre in London. Blessed had small roles in such cult shows as '']'' (1967, 1969) and the original '']'' (1969). He portrayed ] in the BBC series '']''. He portrayed the father of Robin Hood, Lord Locksley, in the 1991 film '']''. He has appeared in a number of Shakespearean roles on both stage and screen, including four of the five ] films directed by ]: as The Duke of Exeter in '']'' (1989), Antonio in '']'' (1993), The Ghost of Hamlet's Father in '']'' (1996) and the dual role of Duke Frederick and Duke Senior in '']'' (2006). He also provided the voice of Bob in the animated series ''Kika & Bob'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kikaandbob.com/castandcrew.html |title=Cast and Crew page on the Official Kika and Bob website.}}</ref>
{{Main|List of Brian Blessed performances}}
One of Blessed's earliest roles was that of PC "Fancy" Smith in the ] television series '']'', between 1962 and 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f3c56a1d1bd747fe942a1ea1d39f6ff0 |title=Z Cars: 5: Big Catch – BBC Television – 30 January 1962 |date=30 January 1962 |publisher=]}}</ref> In 1966, he appeared in a production of '']'' at the ] in London. Also in 1966, he was offered the titular role of ] in BBC's ] drama, '']'', to take over from ], but had to turn it down due to conflicting projects.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/aug/05/brian-blessed-turned-down-doctor-who-bbc|title=Brian Blessed: I turned down Doctor Who|date=5 August 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=11 November 2018}}</ref> In 1967, he played Porthos in a 10-part BBC adaptation of '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/80ee1436ca7f44ea942296349c236416 |title=The Three Musketeers – BBC One London – 8 January 1967 |date=8 January 1967 |publisher=BBC Genome}}</ref> Blessed also had minor roles in cult TV series such as '']'' (1967, 1969) and the original '']'' (1969). He interpreted the role of King ] in the ] television series '']'' (1972–1973). He appeared as William Woodcock in the ] series ''Boy Dominic'' (1974). He played ] in the ] drama series '']'' (1976),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/114be1caa91c438c92a85fd33d037a9b |title=I, Claudius – BBC Two England – 6 December 1976 |date=6 December 1976 |publisher=BBC Genome}}</ref> Vargas in the '']'' episode Cygnus Alpha (1978) and Basileos in '']'' (1979).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/af32c1fb31c84ee1ac59f3ed1a38ac30 |title=The Aphrodite Inheritance – BBC One London – 14 February 1979 |date=14 February 1979 |publisher=BBC Genome}}</ref> He hosted a docudrama on the life of ] called ''The Joy of Bach'' (1978), in which he also played Bach in a number of scenes.


Blessed also appeared in two episodes of the British science fiction television series '']''. He played scientist Dr. Rowland Cabot in the 1975 episode '']'' and as Mentor in the 1976 episode '']''.
Other roles have emphasised his comedic abilities: notably ] in '']'' (1980) - for which he is frequently remembered for the famous line "Gordon's alive!"; the mad, comic figure of ] in the first series of '']'' (1983); and Spiro in the BBC adaptation of '']'' (1987).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5339326.stm |date=15 September 2006 |title=Gerald Durrell's lasting legacy |accessdate=2008-05-05 | work=BBC News}}</ref> He also played the role of General Yevlenko in the 1988 miniseries '']''. Blessed jokes he almost starred in '']'' (1986) as Queen Elizabeth but he wasn't available at the time of filming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2001/aug/22/climbingholidays.livechats?page=3 |date=22 August 2001 |title=Brian Blessed Web Chat |publisher=The Guardian |accessdate=2008-09-01 }}</ref>


Blessed played Long John Silver in the 10-part serial '']'' (1986), King Yrcanos in the '']'' serial '']'' (1986), General Yevlenko in the mini-series '']'' (1988), and Lord Loxley, the father of ], in the Hollywood film '']'' (1991).
He provided the vocal links on the ]-winning ] Breakfast Show on ] and introduced adverts for ] mobile phones. At Christmas 2006, he presented a ] '']'' for Virgin Radio starring actors such as ] and ]. In November 2006, Blessed made a surprise appearance on the midday talk show '']''. Also, he is featured reading the story "The White City Part 1" which is the final piece on the album '']''. Blessed was also the voice of ] in ''] Radio Theatre's'' audio dramatic adaptation of ]'s '']''.


Blessed has also starred in ]'s '']'' as both ] and ] during the original ] production. In 2002, under the direction of ] director, ], Blessed originated the role of ] for the stage musical version of '']''. In 1981, Blessed appeared in ]'s musical, '']'', as both ] and ], for the original ] production.<ref name="lawson">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/jan/13/brian-blessed-rosalind-blessed-interview-cats-astronaut|title=Brian Blessed: 'All my life, 90% of men have bored the arse off me'|date=13 January 2020|website=The Guardian|accessdate=1 November 2022}}</ref>


Blessed has appeared in a number of ] roles on both stage and screen, including four of the five Shakespeare films directed by ]: as the ] in '']'' (1989), Antonio in '']'' (1993), the ] in '']'' (1996), and both ] and ] in '']'' (2006).
During December 2005 to January 2006, Blessed headlined the ] production of '']'', alongside ] Television presenter ] at the ] in ]. In late 2007 and early 2008, Blessed starred in the ] version of '']'' as ] at the Grove Theatre in ]. He played the same role again in "Peter Pan" in late 2007, early 2008 and again at Christmas 2008 at the ], ].


In comedies, Blessed portrayed ] in the film '']'' (1980);<ref name=picasso>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/11977486/Brian-Blessed-Picasso-gave-me-a-50m-picture.-I-threw-it-away.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/11977486/Brian-Blessed-Picasso-gave-me-a-50m-picture.-I-threw-it-away.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Brian Blessed: 'Picasso Gave me a £50m picture – I threw it away' |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=8 November 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the mad, comical figure of ] in the first series of '']'' (1983), a role Blessed has claimed to be one of his most cherished{{citationneeded|date=June 2024}}; and Spiro Halikiopoulos in the TV mini-series '']'' (1987), a BBC adaptation of ]'s ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5339326.stm |date=15 September 2006 |title=Gerald Durrell's Lasting Legacy |access-date=5 May 2008 | work=]}}</ref> Blessed has joked that he was due to appear in '']'' (1986) as ], but was unavailable for filming.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2001/aug/22/climbingholidays.livechats?page=3 |date=22 August 2001 |title=Brian Blessed Web Chat |newspaper=] |access-date=1 September 2008 }}</ref> In 1989, he made an appearance in the comedy/drama '']'', as ] Freddie Dyer of the ] in the episode ''The Last Video Show.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.minder.org/episodeguide/S07E04_TheLastVideoShow.htm|title=#7.4 The Last Video Show|website=www.minder.org|access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
Since October 2008, Blessed presents the UK showings of the Japanese gameshow '']'' on the ] channel under the name ''Banzuke Brian''. He also guest hosted an episode of '']'' in May 2008.


In 1997, Blessed portrayed Squire Western in the ] of ]'s 1749 comic novel '']''. He later recalled accidentally punching ] whilst filming and said of the event, "I thought I'd killed the poor bastard."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-09/the-day-brian-blessed-punched-and-knocked-out-peter-capaldi |date=9 October 2014 |title=The day Brian Blessed punched and knocked out Peter Capaldi |magazine=] |access-date=2 November 2016}}</ref>
In 2009 Blessed played the world's worst explorer, Sir Basil Champion - a character based upon Blessed's fictional inspiration, ] ] - in the fourth story in '']'' series, ''The Curse of the Black Comet''. The story was broadcast on ] in 2010.


In 1999, Blessed provided both the voice and live-action reference for the ] character ] in '']'', and also provided the voice of the villainous hunter Clayton in Disney's animated feature film '']'', a role he later reprised in the video game based on the film and in the critically acclaimed '']'' in 2002; he also did the ] after ] was unable to do it himself. He voiced "Sir Morris" in the 1999 cartoon series '']''. He read the story "The White City" for the album series '']'', recording it in four parts released over four albums,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/290589-Brian-Blessed?type=Appearances | title=Brian Blessed discography.| website=]}}</ref> and was also the voice of ] in ] Radio Theatre's audio adaptation of ]'s '']''. Blessed was one of the narrators for '']'', a children's magazine partwork series in the 1980s. He has further provided vocal links for the ]-winning ] Breakfast Show on ], and introduced advertisements for ] mobile phones.
In November 2009, Blessed starred in a series of online videos on the ] Comedy website in which he played ]. The concept of the video series is that the Tudor king is alive & well, and living in a suburban semi with his long-suffering sixth wife ]. Henry has embraced modern technology and lives his life online - insulting the King of France on ], surfing for desirable women friends, and blocking the Pope on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/extra/video/p0057y3n |date=20 November 2009 |title=Pieces of 8.0 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2009-11-25 }}</ref>


] in 2007]]
After a successful campaign on social networking site ], ] manufacturer TomTom has decided to record Brian Blessed's distinctive voice as an option for those using its satnav devices; Blessed's voice has been available in devices since October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cox |first=Caleb |url=http://www.reghardware.com/2010/08/05/brian_blessed_tomtom/ |title=Brian Blessed lends his tongue to TomTom • reghardware |publisher=Reghardware.com |date=2010-08-05 |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://brianblessed.tomtom.com/ |title=Brian Blessed voice now available for TomTom devices |publisher=Brianblessed.tomtom.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref>
In 2002, under the direction of ] director ], he originated the role of ] for the stage musical version of '']''. From December 2005 to January 2006, Blessed headlined the ] production of '']'', alongside ] presenter ], at ]'s ].{{cn|date=March 2024}} From 2007 to 2008, he appeared in the same play as ] at the Grove Theatre in ]; he reprised the role for the Christmas 2008 season at the ], ]. For Christmas 2006, he presented a production of '']'' for Virgin Radio, starring ], ] and others.


Since October 2008, Blessed has presented the English-language dub of the Japanese TV game show '']'' on ], under the pseudonym "Banzuke Brian". He was the narrator of the ] series ''Crash Test Dummies'', starring ] and Dan Wright. In animation, he has provided the voices of Bob in ''Kika & Bob'' (2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kikaandbob.com/castandcrew.html|title=KIKA & BOB :: submarine productions|website=www.kikaandbob.com|access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref> and Grampy Rabbit in '']'' (2004–present).
In September 2010 Brian recorded the voiceover to ''Sheherazade, or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon!'', an album of children's stories set to the classical music composition ] by ] and also featuring the voices of ], Jess Murphy, Sam Morris and Nigel Garton. Brian voiced the role of the Great Sultan Shahryār; the album was released as the first in a series entitled ''Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales'' in March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.GrandmaDingley.com |title=Sheherazade or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon! &#124; Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales |publisher=Grandmadingley.com |date=2011-03-21 |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref>


In 2009 Blessed starred with his wife, Hildegarde Neil, in the short film Mr Bojagi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1487977/|title=IMDB|website=www.imdb.com|access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>
==Other achievements==
Blessed is also an ]. He climbed ] at the age of seventeen, and he has remained an active mountaineer throughout his life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.easyjetinflight.com/features/2002/apr02/brian_bless.html |title=Brian Blessed |first=Josh |last=Sims |publisher=] Inflight |accessdate=2008-05-05 }}</ref> He has attempted to climb ] on three separate occasions, but has never reached the summit. During his attempt in 1991, the then 55-year-old climbed higher than any other man of his age;<ref name="guardian03"/> the height record was later broken by Sir ] in 2009. He has successfully climbed ] in ] as well as ] in ]. He also holds the record for being the oldest man to trek on foot to the magnetic ],<ref name="guardian03">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2003/jul/29/features11.g23 |title=Why I love Brian Blessed |first=Leo |last=Benedictus |publisher=The Guardian |date=29 July 2003 |accessdate=2008-05-05 }}</ref> and has undertaken an expedition deep into the jungles of ].


Following a ] campaign, ] manufacturer ] recorded Blessed's voice for use in its products; he has been available as a voice command option since October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wallop |first=Harry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7930644/Brian-Blessed-new-voice-of-TomTom-Sat-Nav.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7930644/Brian-Blessed-new-voice-of-TomTom-Sat-Nav.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Brian Blessed new voice of TomTom Sat Nav
He also has an honorary position as official Shoutsperson of the University of York's ] Society,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~socs242/constitution.html |title=DougSoc |publisher=Users.york.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref> and in 2011 the student body voted to name a new study space as the 'Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study'.<ref>{{cite web|author=January 25, 2011 | ONLINE ONLYHoagy Davis-Digges |url=http://www.nouse.co.uk/2011/01/25/ugm-sees-highest-voting-numbers-since-2008/ |title=Union General Meeting sees highest voting numbers since 2008 |publisher=Nouse.co.uk |date=2011-01-25 |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref>
|publisher= Telegraph Media Group Limited |date=6 August 2010 |access-date=19 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In September 2010, Blessed recorded the voice of Great Sultan Shahryār for ''Sheherazade, or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon!'', an album of children's stories set to ]'s classical music composition '']'', co-starring ] and released as an instalment of ''Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.GrandmaDingley.com |title=''Sheherazade or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon!'' &#124; ''Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales'' |publisher=Grandmadingley.com |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>


In 2018, Blessed voiced German military engineer ] in the open-world medieval ], '']''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kingdom Come: Deliverance presents: Brian Blessed as Lord Konrad Kyeser|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWdx0o8mrAY&t=0s|website=YouTube| date=5 May 2017 |publisher=Warhorse Studios|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> He voiced the megalomaniacal Red Ivan in the 2021 base building game '']''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evil Genius 2 Voice Cast Announced Featuring Samantha Bond and Brian Blessed|url=https://gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/378048/EVIL_GENIUS_2_VOICE_CAST_ANNOUNCED_FEATURING_SAMANTHA_BOND__BRIAN_BLESSED.php|website=Gamasutra|access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>
In 2004, he sang on '']'' as ]. Blessed is also known for his ] knowledge and appeared as an expert on the British satellite station UKTV G2 during the 2006 World Cup. He also appeared on '']'' in 2006 and again in 2011 and was a guest host of '']'' in May 2008 alongside guests ] and ] (also making a surprise appearance in the Christmas special later in the year). His madcap manner quickly made the show deviate from its usual format, with ] remarking "Does anyone remember how this show used to be like?". In the same month he appeared as a guest on '']''.


===Expeditions===
He was President of the ] (TRIC) 2007-2008, and presented the 2008 TRIC Awards at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane. TRIC is an organisation which honours achievers in the film and radio industries. He has ]s from the ], awarded in July 2003, and ], awarded in 2004.
]
blessings from Ngawang Tenzing Jangpo. ], Sir ], Dr ], Scott McIvor, Lee Nobmann, Brian Blessed.]]
Blessed has attempted to climb ] three times without supplemental oxygen,<ref>{{cite news|first=Matt |last=Dickinson |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-matt-dickinson--brian-blessed-6988621.html |title=How We Met: Matt Dickinson and Brian Blessed|work=] |date= 19 February 2012|access-date=24 April 2013|quote= Dickinson: "But as for going back to Everest with Brian: in truth, he's too old now to try again."}}</ref> reaching heights of {{convert|28,200|ft|m}} in 1993 and {{convert|25,200|ft|m}} in 1996, but without reaching the summit.<ref>{{cite news|first=Charles |last=Arthur |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/blessed-launches-bitter-attack-on-human-lemmings-of-everest-1349787.html |title=Blessed Launches Bitter Attack on 'Human Lemmings' of Everest |work=The Independent|date=30 May 1996|access-date=24 April 2013}}</ref>


Blessed has reached the tops of ] in Argentina and ] in Tanzania,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/theatre-and-comedy/2019/09/06/blessed-are-the-meek-brian-blessed-talks-ahead-of-shrewsbury-show/|title=Blessed are the meek: Brian Blessed talks ahead of Shrewsbury show – Shropshire Star|date=6 September 2019 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> and has undertaken an expedition into the jungles of ], during which he survived a plane crash.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/things-to-do/weston-s-playhouse-to-host-an-evening-with-brian-blessed-4553728 |title=An Evening with Brian Blessed at Weston's Playhouse Theatre – Weston Mercury |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref>
He also stars in the '']'' show in Jersey, Channel Islands. It features many celebrity faces, such as ], ], ] and ]. The story is of the history of the island.


Blessed is the oldest man to have reached the ] on foot,<ref name="guardian03">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2003/jul/29/features11.g23 |title=Why I Love Brian Blessed |first=Leo |last=Benedictus |work=The Guardian |date=29 July 2003 |access-date=5 May 2008 }}</ref> where he says he punched a ] on the nose.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/membership/video/2015/dec/02/did-brian-blessed-really-punch-a-polar-bear-video |title=Did Brian Blessed really punch a polar bear? – video – Stage |work= The Guardian|date=2 December 2015 |access-date=4 December 2020|last1=Blessed |first1=Brian |last2=Morgan |first2=Richie }}</ref>
In 2009, he featured on the debut album '']'' by UK power-metal band ], with a reading of "]" by ], on the song "]". <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Pythia/Beneath_the_Veiled_Embrace/248538/ |title= some are inexplicably followed by Brian Blessed’s stentorian narrations of British anti-war poetry|accessdate=2011-05-02}}</ref>


===Music===
In June 2011, a campaign by ] ] resulted in his being nominated for the post of ], which is due to fall vacant on the forthcoming retirement of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Brian-Blessed-to-stand-for-university-chancellor-02062011.htm |title=Latest News Headlines From Cambridge City & Cambridgeshire &#124; National News By Cambridge News &#124; Brian Blessed to stand for university chancellor |publisher=Cambridge News |date= |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref>
In 2009, Blessed featured in the song "Army of the Damned" from the album ''Beneath the Veiled Embrace'' by British ] band ], reciting the poem "]" by ].<ref>{{cite web |author1=naverhtrad |title=Pythia – Beneath the Veiled Embrace – Reviews |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Pythia/Beneath_the_Veiled_Embrace/248538/ |website=Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |publisher=Encyclopaedia Metallum |access-date=30 June 2021 |date=9 February 2011 |quote="...some are inexplicably followed by Brian Blessed's stentorian narrations of British anti-war poetry..."}}</ref> Blessed also appeared on their 2014 album ''Shadows of a Broken Past''.

He had previously contributed to the song "The Joust" by Christian band ] in 1994.<ref>Eden Burning ''Mirth and Matter'' sleeve notes.</ref>

Blessed contributed vocals to the track 'Sonic Attack' on the 2015 Hawkwind album 'Space Ritual Live'.

In 2017, Blessed was featured in "If you remember" music video, singles from British indie band, The Ramona Flowers. As of November 2024, the video had reached over 725,000 views.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramona Flowers – If You Remember | website=] | date=28 June 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD8VB9nmscE |access-date=17 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=indieisnotagenre.com |date=4 July 2017 |title=Video: The Ramona Flowers — If You Remember |url=https://medium.com/@indieisnotagenre/video-the-ramona-flowers-if-you-remember-c016be142465 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=Medium }}</ref> It is also his first appearance in a music video and called it a "great adventure".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramona Flowers- The making of 'If You Remember' featuring Brian Blessed | website=] | date=28 June 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNa974Zp1zI |access-date=20 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramona Flowers release video for “If You Remember” starring British acting legend Brian Blessed • WithGuitars |url=https://www.withguitars.com/ramona-flowers-release-video-remember-starring-british-acting-legend-brian-blessed/ |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=www.withguitars.com }}</ref> The music video was directed by ] and produced by Connor Simmons.

===Other work===
Blessed has completed 800 hours of space training at ] in Russia.<ref name=picasso />

Blessed served as President of the ] (TRIC) from 2007 to 2008 and presented the 2008 ] at ], ].<ref name="dougsoc">{{cite web|url=https://dougsocyork.wordpress.com/committee/|title=DougSoc Committee|access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>

In 2004, Blessed appeared on and won an episode of '']'', impersonating the opera singer ]. He appeared as an expert and commentator on the satellite channel ] during the ]. Blessed also appeared on '']'' in 2006 and 2011, and was a guest host on the ]'s satirical quiz show '']'' in May 2008 and April 2013 (also making a surprise appearance in the 2008 Christmas special).{{cn|date=March 2024}}

] for the computer game '']'' featured narration by Blessed.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/01/war-of-the-roses-details-brian-blessed-dlc-free-content-and-kingmaker-gold-edition/|title=War of the Roses Details Brian Blessed DLC, Free Content and Kingmaker Gold Edition|date=1 February 2013|magazine=]|access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> In 2013, he received the Spirit of Hammer Award at the '']'' magazine's ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metal-hammer-golden-gods-2013-all-the-winners/ |title=Metal Hammer Golden Gods Winners |date=17 June 2013 |magazine=Metal Hammer |access-date=19 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404203717/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metal-hammer-golden-gods-2013-all-the-winners/ |archive-date=4 April 2014 }}</ref>

On 14 August 2014, Blessed was the subject of an episode of the BBC documentary series '']'', tracing the lives of his ancestors.<ref name="ST"/>

In October 2016 the BBC broadcast a 3-hour compilation of interviews with Blessed, ''Brian Blessed's Radio Adventures'', featuring interviews with him where he discusses his life and career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07y77x3|title=Brian Blessed's Radio Adventures|website=BBC}}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Blessed lives in ], ]. He married actress ] in 1978 and they have one daughter, Rosalind.<ref name="whoswho">{{cite book |title=The International Who's Who 2004: 2004 |last=Sleeman |first=Elizabeth |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781857432176 |page=176 |edition=67 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9drlYR0YUgAC&pg=PA176&lpg=PA176&dq=%22brian+blessed%22+Zimmermann&source=bl&ots=RKjxSw4k6J&sig=NvWC664EpJE-K6AQndCu8x-3fx4&hl=en&ei=2OSETMTVG-LU4waRv_jRBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=%22brian%20blessed%22%20Zimmermann&f=false}}</ref> He also has a number of dogs. Blessed and Neil appeared together on an episode of the ITV game show ''All Star Mr And Mrs'' on 23 May 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onthebox.com/tv/episode/epe08231035012/all-star-mr-and-mrs.aspx |title=All Star Mr and Mrs - Three more celebrity couples - `Holby City'… |publisher=OntheBox.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-08}}</ref> In the show, it was revealed that the only thing that he cannot do without is ].
Blessed is a supporter of the UK Human Space Flight programme and has demonstrated his interest in potential space travel by subjecting himself to various tests, usually reserved for astronauts, such as a G-force simulating centrifuge.<ref>{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref>


In 1963, Blessed, then in his late 20s, assisted a mother giving birth in ], London. He delivered the healthy baby girl, then bit through the umbilical cord.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brian Blessed speaks candidly about the day he helped a woman deliver her baby|url=https://www.magicmum.com/brian-blessed-speaks-candidly-about-the-day-he-helped-a-woman-deliver-her-baby/|access-date=26 October 2020|website=MagicMum.com|date=7 October 2015 }}</ref> He later recounted, "I was covered in blood, my shirt was covered in blood, I was wrapping her, wiping her, 'it's all right, darling'.... And I was licking the baby's face."<ref>{{cite news|first=Sebastian|last=Mann|date=7 October 2015|title=Brian Blessed: I chewed through an umbilical cord while delivering a baby in Richmond Park|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/brian-blessed-i-chewed-through-umbilical-cord-to-deliver-baby-in-richmond-park-a3084591.html|access-date=26 October 2020|newspaper=]}}</ref>
==Selected work==

{{div col|cols=2}}
Blessed's first marriage was to the American actress and Egyptologist<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DXVMAAAAYAAJ&q=ann+bomann+actress |title=Country Life |date=1978 |publisher=Country Life, Limited }}</ref> Ann Bomann, whom he met in Bristol. They had a daughter together, Catherine, but later divorced.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=31 July 2023 |title=Brian Blessed: He tells a good tale, and it's all in the delivery |newspaper= ]|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brian-blessed-he-tells-a-good-tale-and-its-all-in-the-delivery-kg8scrbw588 |access-date=1 August 2023 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> Blessed was then married to actress ] from 1978 until Neil's death in 2023. Their daughter, Rosalind, is an actress.<ref name="whoswho">{{cite book |title=The International Who's Who 2004: 2004 |last=Sleeman |first=Elizabeth |year=2003 |publisher=] |location=Abingdon, England|isbn=978-1-85743-217-6 |page=176 |edition=67th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9drlYR0YUgAC&q=%22brian+blessed%22+Zimmermann&pg=PA176}}</ref>
* 1962-1965 – '']'' – PC "Fancy" Smith

* 1966 – '']'' – Porthos
Blessed lives in ], ].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/brian-blessed-windlesham-village-shops-24181284 | title= Surrey village with 'excellent shops' where Brian Blessed says the people are lovely | work=SurreyLive | first=David | last=Bradshaw |date=11 June 2022 | access-date=17 August 2024}}</ref> He owns several dogs and is a patron of the charity Pet Respect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://petrespect.org.uk/brian-blessed-obe/|title=Our New Patron, Brian Blessed OBE &#124; Pet Respect|first=Glen|last=Hartley|accessdate=30 October 2022}}</ref> In 2011, he became a patron for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hopefield.org.uk/patrons-and-trustees/|title=Hopefield Patrons and Trustees|publisher=Hopefield Animal Sanctuary|access-date=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204174318/http://www.hopefield.org.uk/patrons-and-trustees/|archive-date=4 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 1967 – '']'' "The Superlative Seven" – Mark Dayton

* 1968 – ''The Avengers'' "The Morning After" – Sergeant Hearn
Blessed is a black belt in ].<ref name="Scott 2017 h721">{{cite web | last=Scott | first=Danny | title=My hols: Brian Blessed | website=The Times & The Sunday Times | date=1 July 2017 | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/my-hols-brian-blessed-8b7gpsfn2 | access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>
* 1968 – '']'' – Reuben Starkadder

* 1969 – '']'' "The Ghost Who Saved the Bank at Monte Carlo"
===Health===
* 1970 - '']'' - Jack Baird
Blessed suffered a ] at age 18. He eventually recovered with the support of friends, family, and his speech teacher.<ref>{{cite news| title=The other Brian Blessed|website=Deskarati|url=https://deskarati.com/2011/08/16/the-other-brian-blessed/| date=16 August 2011|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Brian Blessed – My Yorkshire|url=http://my-yorkshire.co.uk/people/brian-blessed.html| access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>
* 1972 – '']'' – ]

* 1972 - '']'' - Pedro
On 19 January 2015, Blessed collapsed on stage during a performance of '']'' with the Guildford Shakespeare Company, in which his daughter Rosalind was also acting. He received medical attention from a doctor in the audience and returned to the stage to complete the play 20 minutes later.<ref name="BBC News 21 Jan 2015">{{cite news| title= Brian Blessed collapses on stage – but returns to finish show|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30912506| date=21 January 2015| work= BBC News | access-date=21 January 2015}}</ref> On 30 January 2015, it was announced that Blessed had been "compelled to withdraw" from the production on the advice of his heart specialist.<ref name="BBC News 30 January 2015">{{cite web | title= Brian Blessed pulls out of King Lear on doctor's orders |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31066689| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| date= 30 January 2015| website= BBC News | access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> He has been fitted with a ].<ref name=picasso />
* 1975 - '']'' - Dr Tom Bowen

* 1975 – '']'' "Ringer" – Frank Kemble, boss of a gang of criminals
===Honours===
* 1976 – '']'' "Death's Other Dominion" – Dr. Cabot Rowland, "The Metamorph" Mentor
He has ]s from the ] (awarded July 2003) and ] (awarded 2004) and has also been awarded the honorary title of "Official Shoutsperson" by the ]'s ] Society.<ref name="dougsoc"/>
* 1976 – '']'' – ]

* 1977 – '']'' "Law of the Jungle" (Series 3) – Brod
In 2011, the student union at the University of York voted to name a new study area the "Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study".<ref>{{cite web |first=Hoagy |last=Davis-Digges |url=http://www.nouse.co.uk/2011/01/25/ugm-sees-highest-voting-numbers-since-2008/ |title=Union General Meeting Sees Highest Voting Numbers Since 2008 |publisher=Nouse.co.uk |date=25 January 2011 |access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref> The same year, Blessed was nominated for the post of ] of the ], following a campaign by graduates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-13640487 |title=Brian Blessed Bids to be Cambridge Chancellor |date=3 June 2011 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> He was later awarded Honorary Membership of the ] in recognition of his nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/1007395339324054|title=Brian Blessed {{!}} Week 08 {{!}} Cambridge Union|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>
* 1978 – '']'' "Cygnus Alpha" (series 1) – Vargas

* 1980 – '']'' – ]
Blessed was appointed ] (OBE) in the ] for services to the arts and charity.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61608 |supp=y|page=B11|date=11 June 2016}}</ref>
* 1980 – '']''
* 1980 – '']'' (TV) – J.S. Bach/himself
* 1983 – '']'' (BBC television series)
* 1983 – '']'' – ]
* 1983 – '']''
* 1984 - '']'' – Olinthus
* 1986 – '']'' – King Yrcanos in the serial - '']'' parts 5-8: '']''
* 1987 – '']'' – Spiro
* 1989 – '']'' – ]
* 1989 – '']'' (Series 7) "The Last Video Show" – Detective
* 1989 – '']'' - Caous
* 1991 – '']'' – Lord Locksley
* 1991 – '']'' – ]
* 1991 – '']'' "The Black Virgin of Vladimir" – Harry Catapodis
* 1992 – '']'' – El Supremo (voice)
* 1993 – '']'' – Signor Antonio
* 1994 – ''MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis'' – Atticus
* 1995 – '']'' – Ghost William Stickers
* 1995 - '']''
* 1996 – '']'' – Ghost
* 1996 – '']''
* 1996 – '']'' (animated children's BBC TV series) - The Captain (voice)
* 1997 – '']'' – Squire Western
* 1997 – '']''
* 1999 – '']'' – King Lear
* 1999 – '']'' – ] (voice)
* 1999 – '']'' – Boss Nass (voice)
* 1999 – '']'' (animated children's BBC TV series) – Sir Morris (voice)
* 1999 - '']'' Mr. Scottley
* 1999-2000 – ''Nexus'' (]) – Presenter
* 2002 – '']'' – "Clayton" (]) (voice)
* 2003 – '']'' - Admiral Constantine (]) (voice)
* 2004 – '']'' – wrestling trainer
* 2005 – '']'' flash cartoon – ]
* 2006 – '']'' – Narrator
* 2006 – '']'' – Sir Gregory
* 2006 - '']'' - ]
* 2007 – ''Back in Business'' – Trevor Pilkington
* 2007 – '']'' (song by ]) – "Voice of the Prism" (voice)
* 2007 - BBC Radio 1 Voice Over - Christmas Idents - Narrator (Voice)
* 2008 – '']'' – Narrator (])
* 2008 – '']'' – Presenter (hosted on 2 May 2008)
* 2008 – '']'' – Guest Judge
* 2008 – '']'' – Train Pirate Leader
* 2008 – '']'' – Banzuke Brian, Host/voiceover
* 2008 – '']'' – Prince Vultan in the episode "]" (voice)
* 2009 – '']'' - Himself (with his wife)
* 2009 – '']'' - Himself, reviewing walking boots
* 2009 – '']''
* 2009 – '']'' Zeus (voice)
* 2009 – '']'' - Sir Basil Champion (voice)
* 2009 – ''Henry 8.0 (BBC Comedy Extra)'' - Henry VIII
* 2009 – ''Mr Bojagi'' - Mr Bojagi
* 2010 - '']'' - Himself
* 2011 - ''The YoGPoD'' episode 29 - Himself
{{div col end}}


==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
*''The Turquoise Mountain: Brian Blessed on Everest'' (1991) * ''The Turquoise Mountain: Brian Blessed on Everest'' (1991) {{ISBN|9780747510468}}
*''Dynamite Kid'' (1992) * ''The Dynamite Kid'' (1992) {{ISBN|9780747512752}}
*''Nothing's Impossible'' (1994) * ''Nothing's Impossible'' (1994)
*''To the Top of the World'' (1995) * ''To the Top of the World'' (1995) {{ISBN|9780831732981}}
*''Quest for the Lost World'' (1999) * ''Quest for the Lost World'' (1999)
* ''Absolute Pandemonium'' (2015) {{ISBN|9781447292975}}
* ''The Panther in My Kitchen: My Wild Life with Animals'' (2017) {{ISBN|9781509841592}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Brian Blessed}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{imdb name|id=0000306|name=Brian Blessed}} {{commons category|Brian Blessed}}
* {{amg name|id=6742|name=Brian Blessed}} * {{IMDb name|306}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|brian_blessed}}
{{Authority control}}


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|NAME= Blessed, Brian
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actor
|DATE OF BIRTH= 9 October 1936
|PLACE OF BIRTH= ], England
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
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Latest revision as of 15:33, 22 December 2024

English actor (born 1936)

Brian BlessedOBE
Blessed in 2012
Born (1936-10-09) 9 October 1936 (age 88)
Mexborough, England
EducationBristol Old Vic Theatre School (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • presenter
  • writer
  • explorer
Years active1957–present
WorksFilmography
Spouses
  • Ann Bomann ​(divorced)​
  • Hildegarde Neil ​ ​(m. 1978; died 2023)​
Children2

Brian Blessed OBE (/ˈblɛsɪd/ BLES-id; born 9 October 1936) is an English actor. He is known for his distinctive bushy beard, booming voice, and exuberant personality and performances. He portrayed PC "Fancy" Smith in Z-Cars; Augustus in the 1976 BBC television production of I, Claudius; King Richard IV in the first series of Blackadder; Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon; Bustopher Jones and Old Deuteronomy in the 1981 original London production of Cats at the New London Theatre; Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter, in Henry V; Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; and the voice of Clayton and the Tarzan yell in Disney's Tarzan.

In 2016, Blessed was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the arts and charity.

Early life

Blessed was born on 9 October 1936 at Montagu Hospital in Mexborough, West Riding of Yorkshire, the son of William Blessed, a socialist coal miner at Hickleton Main Colliery (and himself the son of a coal miner) and cricketer for the Yorkshire second team, and Hilda (née Wall). He had a brother Alan, seven years younger, and the pair "went everywhere together" when they were growing up. Alan Blessed died from leukaemia aged 52; their mother died aged 87, and their father died aged 99. Blessed's great-great-grandfather, Jabez Blessed, was the father of 13 children and worked as a china and glass dealer in Brigg, Lincolnshire; many of Blessed's relatives hail from Brigg.

Blessed went to Bolton on Dearne Secondary Modern School, and completed his national service in the RAF, in Bicester, before enrolling at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1956.

Career

Acting

Main article: List of Brian Blessed performances

One of Blessed's earliest roles was that of PC "Fancy" Smith in the BBC television series Z-Cars, between 1962 and 1965. In 1966, he appeared in a production of Incident at Vichy at the Phoenix Theatre in London. Also in 1966, he was offered the titular role of the Doctor in BBC's sci-fi drama, Doctor Who, to take over from William Hartnell, but had to turn it down due to conflicting projects. In 1967, he played Porthos in a 10-part BBC adaptation of The Three Musketeers. Blessed also had minor roles in cult TV series such as The Avengers (1967, 1969) and the original Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969). He interpreted the role of King Mark of Cornwall in the HTV television series Arthur of the Britons (1972–1973). He appeared as William Woodcock in the Yorkshire Television series Boy Dominic (1974). He played Caesar Augustus in the BBC Two drama series I, Claudius (1976), Vargas in the Blake's 7 episode Cygnus Alpha (1978) and Basileos in The Aphrodite Inheritance (1979). He hosted a docudrama on the life of Johann Sebastian Bach called The Joy of Bach (1978), in which he also played Bach in a number of scenes.

Blessed also appeared in two episodes of the British science fiction television series Space:1999. He played scientist Dr. Rowland Cabot in the 1975 episode Death's Other Dominion and as Mentor in the 1976 episode The Metamorph.

Blessed played Long John Silver in the 10-part serial Return to Treasure Island (1986), King Yrcanos in the Doctor Who serial Mindwarp (1986), General Yevlenko in the mini-series War and Remembrance (1988), and Lord Loxley, the father of Robin Hood, in the Hollywood film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).

In 1981, Blessed appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cats, as both Old Deuteronomy and Bustopher Jones, for the original West End theatre production.

Blessed has appeared in a number of Shakespearean roles on both stage and screen, including four of the five Shakespeare films directed by Kenneth Branagh: as the Duke of Exeter in Henry V (1989), Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing (1993), the Ghost of Hamlet's Father in Hamlet (1996), and both Duke Frederick and Duke Senior in As You Like It (2006).

In comedies, Blessed portrayed Prince Vultan in the film Flash Gordon (1980); the mad, comical figure of Richard IV in the first series of The Black Adder (1983), a role Blessed has claimed to be one of his most cherished; and Spiro Halikiopoulos in the TV mini-series My Family and Other Animals (1987), a BBC adaptation of Gerald Durrell's book by the same name. Blessed has joked that he was due to appear in Blackadder II (1986) as Elizabeth I, but was unavailable for filming. In 1989, he made an appearance in the comedy/drama Minder, as Detective Inspector Freddie Dyer of the Serious Crime Squad in the episode The Last Video Show.

In 1997, Blessed portrayed Squire Western in the BBC adaptation of Henry Fielding's 1749 comic novel Tom Jones. He later recalled accidentally punching Peter Capaldi whilst filming and said of the event, "I thought I'd killed the poor bastard."

In 1999, Blessed provided both the voice and live-action reference for the CGI character Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and also provided the voice of the villainous hunter Clayton in Disney's animated feature film Tarzan, a role he later reprised in the video game based on the film and in the critically acclaimed Kingdom Hearts in 2002; he also did the Tarzan yell after Tony Goldwyn was unable to do it himself. He voiced "Sir Morris" in the 1999 cartoon series The Big Knights. He read the story "The White City" for the album series Late Night Tales, recording it in four parts released over four albums, and was also the voice of Jean Valjean in Focus on the Family Radio Theatre's audio adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Blessed was one of the narrators for Story Teller, a children's magazine partwork series in the 1980s. He has further provided vocal links for the Sony-Award-winning Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, and introduced advertisements for Orange mobile phones.

Blessed at the Cambridge Film Festival in 2007

In 2002, under the direction of Royal Shakespeare Company director Adrian Noble, he originated the role of Baron Bomburst for the stage musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. From December 2005 to January 2006, Blessed headlined the Christmas pantomime production of Peter Pan, alongside CBBC presenter Kirsten O'Brien, at Ipswich's Regent Theatre. From 2007 to 2008, he appeared in the same play as Captain Hook at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable; he reprised the role for the Christmas 2008 season at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon. For Christmas 2006, he presented a production of Cinderella for Virgin Radio, starring David Tennant, Thandiwe Newton and others.

Since October 2008, Blessed has presented the English-language dub of the Japanese TV game show Unbeatable Banzuke on Challenge, under the pseudonym "Banzuke Brian". He was the narrator of the Sky 1 series Crash Test Dummies, starring Steve Marsh and Dan Wright. In animation, he has provided the voices of Bob in Kika & Bob (2008) and Grampy Rabbit in Peppa Pig (2004–present).

In 2009 Blessed starred with his wife, Hildegarde Neil, in the short film Mr Bojagi.

Following a Facebook campaign, satellite navigation manufacturer TomTom recorded Blessed's voice for use in its products; he has been available as a voice command option since October 2010. In September 2010, Blessed recorded the voice of Great Sultan Shahryār for Sheherazade, or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon!, an album of children's stories set to Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's classical music composition Scheherazade, co-starring Rory Bremner and released as an instalment of Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales in 2011.

In 2018, Blessed voiced German military engineer Konrad Kyeser in the open-world medieval RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance. He voiced the megalomaniacal Red Ivan in the 2021 base building game Evil Genius 2: World Domination.

Expeditions

Everest climbers receive Tengboche Monastery blessings from Ngawang Tenzing Jangpo. Ginette Harrison, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, Dr David Callaway, Scott McIvor, Lee Nobmann, Brian Blessed.

Blessed has attempted to climb Mount Everest three times without supplemental oxygen, reaching heights of 28,200 feet (8,600 m) in 1993 and 25,200 feet (7,700 m) in 1996, but without reaching the summit.

Blessed has reached the tops of Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and has undertaken an expedition into the jungles of Venezuela, during which he survived a plane crash.

Blessed is the oldest man to have reached the North Magnetic Pole on foot, where he says he punched a polar bear on the nose.

Music

In 2009, Blessed featured in the song "Army of the Damned" from the album Beneath the Veiled Embrace by British power metal band Pythia, reciting the poem "Suicide in the Trenches" by Siegfried Sassoon. Blessed also appeared on their 2014 album Shadows of a Broken Past.

He had previously contributed to the song "The Joust" by Christian band Eden Burning in 1994.

Blessed contributed vocals to the track 'Sonic Attack' on the 2015 Hawkwind album 'Space Ritual Live'.

In 2017, Blessed was featured in "If you remember" music video, singles from British indie band, The Ramona Flowers. As of November 2024, the video had reached over 725,000 views. It is also his first appearance in a music video and called it a "great adventure". The music video was directed by Roger Sargent and produced by Connor Simmons.

Other work

Blessed has completed 800 hours of space training at Star City in Russia.

Blessed served as President of the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) from 2007 to 2008 and presented the 2008 TRIC Awards at Grosvenor House, London.

In 2004, Blessed appeared on and won an episode of Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes, impersonating the opera singer Luciano Pavarotti. He appeared as an expert and commentator on the satellite channel UKTV G2 during the 2006 World Cup. Blessed also appeared on A Question of Sport in 2006 and 2011, and was a guest host on the BBC's satirical quiz show Have I Got News for You in May 2008 and April 2013 (also making a surprise appearance in the 2008 Christmas special).

Downloadable content for the computer game War of the Roses featured narration by Blessed. In 2013, he received the Spirit of Hammer Award at the Metal Hammer magazine's Golden Gods Awards.

On 14 August 2014, Blessed was the subject of an episode of the BBC documentary series Who Do You Think You Are?, tracing the lives of his ancestors.

In October 2016 the BBC broadcast a 3-hour compilation of interviews with Blessed, Brian Blessed's Radio Adventures, featuring interviews with him where he discusses his life and career.

Personal life

In 1963, Blessed, then in his late 20s, assisted a mother giving birth in Richmond Park, London. He delivered the healthy baby girl, then bit through the umbilical cord. He later recounted, "I was covered in blood, my shirt was covered in blood, I was wrapping her, wiping her, 'it's all right, darling'.... And I was licking the baby's face."

Blessed's first marriage was to the American actress and Egyptologist Ann Bomann, whom he met in Bristol. They had a daughter together, Catherine, but later divorced. Blessed was then married to actress Hildegarde Neil from 1978 until Neil's death in 2023. Their daughter, Rosalind, is an actress.

Blessed lives in Windlesham, Surrey. He owns several dogs and is a patron of the charity Pet Respect. In 2011, he became a patron for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, Essex.

Blessed is a black belt in judo.

Health

Blessed suffered a nervous breakdown at age 18. He eventually recovered with the support of friends, family, and his speech teacher.

On 19 January 2015, Blessed collapsed on stage during a performance of King Lear with the Guildford Shakespeare Company, in which his daughter Rosalind was also acting. He received medical attention from a doctor in the audience and returned to the stage to complete the play 20 minutes later. On 30 January 2015, it was announced that Blessed had been "compelled to withdraw" from the production on the advice of his heart specialist. He has been fitted with a pacemaker.

Honours

He has honorary degrees from the University of Bradford (awarded July 2003) and Sheffield Hallam University (awarded 2004) and has also been awarded the honorary title of "Official Shoutsperson" by the University of York's Douglas Adams Society.

In 2011, the student union at the University of York voted to name a new study area the "Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study". The same year, Blessed was nominated for the post of chancellor of the University of Cambridge, following a campaign by graduates. He was later awarded Honorary Membership of the Cambridge Union in recognition of his nomination.

Blessed was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to the arts and charity.

Bibliography

References

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