Frank Windsor
Frank Windsor (born Frank W. Higgins; 12 July 1928) is a British actor, mainly on television.
Frank Windsor | |
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Born | Frank W. Higgins 12 July 1928 |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1959–present |
Biography
Windsor attended Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, and studied speech training and drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama, then based at the Royal Albert Hall, London.[1] He played Detective Sergeant John Watt in Z-Cars from 1962 to 1965, and thereafter its spin-offs Softly, Softly and Softly, Softly: Taskforce from 1966 to 1976. He appeared as 'Tobin' in Series 6, Episode 9 of The Avengers.
In 1969 he appeared in the pilot episode of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) in the episode "My Late Lamented Friend and Partner" as Sorrensen, a wealthy businessman with a murderous streak. His lighter side was demonstrated in the pilot episode of the situation comedy The Dustbinmen in 1968, and as Scoutfinder General in an episode of The Goodies.[2]
From 1987 to 1989 he starred in the comedy drama Flying Lady written by Brian Finch.[3] He also starred as a rather old-fashioned headmaster grappling with problems in education in Headmaster, which started as a single play in Play for Today in 1974. It was well received, being expanded into a six-part series in 1977.
He had regular roles in the BBC drama Casualty; the ITV drama Peak Practice; he played Major Charlie Grace in EastEnders (1992); appeared twice in Doctor Who; had various stage roles, and in his later years appeared in a number of television commercials advertising life-assurance policies for people over 50.[2] He was the subject of This Is Your Life on 3 December 1975 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in East Molesey.[4]
Partial filmography
- This Sporting Life (1963) - Dentist
- The Jokers (1967) - Policeman in Court (uncredited)
- Spring and Port Wine (1969) - Ned Duckworth
- Dropout (1970)
- Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) - Bill Hodson
- Assassin (1973) - John Stacy
- Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) - Police Sergeant
- Leyland Cars - The Quality Connection (1975) - Police Officer/Commentator
- Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978) - Blodgett
- The London Connection (1979) - McGuffin
- Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981) - Fred Fennell
- Coming Out of the Ice (1982) - Sam Herman
- Doll's Eye (1982) - Restaurant Businessman
- The Shooting Party (1985) - Glass
- Revolution (1985) - Gen. Washington
- Out of Order (1987) - Traffic Warden
- Between Two Women (2000) - Mr. Walker (final film role)
References
- 'Fogie – The Life (1865-1945) of Elsie Fogerty Pioneer of speech training for the theatre and everyday life', Marion Cole (Peter Davis, London, 1967)
- Frank Windsor on IMDb
- "Obituary: Brian Finch". The Guardian. 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- "Frank Windsor". Bigredbook.info. Retrieved 17 May 2017.