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Nigel Green (October 15, 1924 - May 15, 1972) was a South African-born British character actor. Because of his strapping build and commanding demeanour he would often be found playing military types and men of action in such classic sixties films as Jason and the Argonauts, Zulu and The Ipcress File.

Early Life and Career

The son of a professor, Green attended King's College School, Wimbledon and the University of London followed by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He appeared on stage at the Old Vic before making his first forays into British films and television in the mid-1950s.

Film career

Early film roles include Reach for the Sky (1956), The Criminal (1960), The League of Gentlemen (1960), and Beat Girl (1960). His large physique led to him being cast as Little John in the 1960 film Sword of Sherwood Forest.

In 1963 he had one of his most memorable roles as Hercules in Jason and the Argonauts. The following year his profile was raised dramatically following his co-starring role as Colour Sgt. Frank Bourne in Zulu. Other military roles followed in films such as Khartoum (1966), Tobruk (1967), Fräulein Doktor and Play Dirty (both 1969).

In 1965 he took a turn as leading man, playing Nayland Smith in The Face of Fu Manchu. The same year also saw another of his most memorable roles as Major Dalby in The Ipcress File where he played the superior and nemesis of Michael Caine's secret agent Harry Palmer. Other villainous roles include Carl Petersen in Bulldog Drummond movie Deadlier Than the Male (1967) and Count Contini in the Matt Helm film The Wrecking Crew (1969), one of a handful of Hollywood films he made in the late 1960s.

He also appeared in a number of horror films such as Corridors of Blood (1958), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), The Skull (1965), Let's Kill Uncle (1966) and Countess Dracula (1971).

His last role was a cameo as "the Electric Messiah", a mental patient believing himself to be God, in The Ruling Class (1972).

Television career

Television appearances include William Tell, Danger Man, The Power Game, The Avengers, Sherlock Holmes, Jason King, The Protectors and The Persuaders!.

Personal life

Green's career was cut short when he died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills in 1972, aged just 47. At the time of his death he was separated from his wife, the actress Patricia Marmont.

Partial filmography

• The Sea Shall Not Have Them (1954)
• As Long as They're Happy (1955)
• Reach for the Sky (1956)
• Find the Lady (1956)
• Bitter Victory (1957)
• Corridoors of Blood (1958)
• Witness in the Dark (1959)
• Beat Girl (1959)
• The Criminal (1960)
• League of Gentlemen (1960)
• Sword of Sherwood Forrest (1960)
• Gorgo (1961)
• Mysterious Island (1961)
• The Queen's Gaurds (1961)
• The Spanish Sword (1962)
• The Durant Affair (1962)
• The Primatives (1962)
• Mystery Submarine (1963)
• Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
• The Man Who Finally Died (1963)
• Zulu (1964)
• Saturday Night Out (1964)
• The Masque of the Red Death (1965)
• The Skull (1965)
• The Ipcress File (1965)
• The Face of Fu Manchu (1965)
• Khartoum (1966)
• Let's Kill Uncle (1966)
• Tobruk (1967)
• Deadlier than the Male (1967)
• The Queen's Traitor (1967)
• Play Dirty (1968)
• The Wrecking Crew (1969)
• Fräulein Doktor (1969)
• The Kremlin Letter (1970)
• Countess Dracula (1971)
• The Ruling Class (1972)
• Gawain and the Green Knight (1973)

External links

Nigel Green at IMDb

• 1924 births
• 1972 deaths
• People from Pretoria
• British actors
• British stage actors
• British film actors
• Alumni of the University of London
• English people of South African descent