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Hordern, Michael (Sir)

Birth date

1911

Death date

1995

Biography

Born on 3 October 1911 at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire the son of Capt Edward Joseph Calverly Hordern and Margaret Emily (née Murray), Michael Hordern was educated at Brighton College. After acting in amateur productions at the St Pancras People’s Theatre, he made his first professional appearance as Lodovico in “Othello” at the People’s Palace in March 1937. He was in repertory at the Little Theatre, Bristol, for several years and then served in the Royal Navy from 1940 to 1946. Subsequently he embarked on a career full of fine performances in plays and films. In the Old Vic season 1953-54 he played Polonius, King John and Prospero and there in 1958-59 he acted Cassius, Pastor Manders in “Ghosts” and Macbeth. Other major roles included Beutler in “The Physicists at the Aldwych, 1963; King Lear at Nottingham Playhouse, 1969 (also on television); and George Moore in Jumpers” at the National Theatre, 1972. Hordern excelled in comedies by Pinter, Ayckborn, Shaw and Mortimer. He also appeared in numerous films, including “Passport to Pimlico” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. His honours include Honorary Fellow, Queen Mary’s College 1987; Honorary DLitt Exeter 1985 and Warwick 1987; and CBE 1972 and a knighthood in 1983. His autobiography “A World Elsewhere” was published in 1993. Sir Michael became a member of the Garrick Club in 1953. He was an avid fisherman. He died in Oxford on 2 May 1995. His wife Grace Eveline Mortimer, whom he married in 1943, died in 1986.
 
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