In Memoriam: Michael Gough, 1916-2011
Mar. 17th, 2011 06:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thatcrazycajunMedia science fiction/fantasy fen of several sorts will no doubt find this news as sad as I do: Veteran character actor and genre stalwart Michael Gough has passed away at 94 of causes as yet unreported. Although he was born of British parents, he came into the world far from his ancestral homeland in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and grew up to play a wide range of roles in TV and films. An obituary for him is posted here, and Wikipedia's page on him has even more fascinating information about his life and career.
To us in fandom, however, he was best known for two roles, one in each medium: the Celestial Toymaker, one of the early foes of William Hartnell's original Doctor in Doctor Who (as well as a later supporting character in the Peter Davison-era episode "Arc of Infinity")..and the best damn Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth ever in any filmed or televised version of Batman (and yes, that includes Michael Caine's creditable run at the role in the last two Warner Bros. films), holding his own opposite no less than three different A-list actors playing Bruce Wayne/the Batman—and, no doubt, schooling all the younger actors simply by his (you should forgive the expression) sterling example.
He also appeared in radio and on stage on both sides of the Atlantic and won Tony, BAFTA and Drama Desk awards for the latter. A great talent and a good man has left us. Deepest sympathies to his four wives, daughter and two sons, and all the rest of his family, friends, colleagues and fans in this most difficult hour. Rest well and thank you, sir.
To us in fandom, however, he was best known for two roles, one in each medium: the Celestial Toymaker, one of the early foes of William Hartnell's original Doctor in Doctor Who (as well as a later supporting character in the Peter Davison-era episode "Arc of Infinity")..and the best damn Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth ever in any filmed or televised version of Batman (and yes, that includes Michael Caine's creditable run at the role in the last two Warner Bros. films), holding his own opposite no less than three different A-list actors playing Bruce Wayne/the Batman—and, no doubt, schooling all the younger actors simply by his (you should forgive the expression) sterling example.
He also appeared in radio and on stage on both sides of the Atlantic and won Tony, BAFTA and Drama Desk awards for the latter. A great talent and a good man has left us. Deepest sympathies to his four wives, daughter and two sons, and all the rest of his family, friends, colleagues and fans in this most difficult hour. Rest well and thank you, sir.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-03-18 01:36 am (UTC)We shall not look upon his like again.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-18 12:10 pm (UTC)http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02/23/nicholas_courtney_dead_at_81/
Oh, dear God in heaven...not the Brig, too?
Date: 2011-03-18 03:00 pm (UTC)Re: Oh, dear God in heaven...not the Brig, too?
Date: 2011-03-18 04:03 pm (UTC)