Hywel Bennett
Hywel Thomas Bennett (8 April 1944 – 24 July 2017) was a Welsh film and television actor. He had a lead role in The Family Way (1966) and played the titular "thinking man's layabout" James Shelley in the television sitcom Shelley (1979–1992).
Hywel Bennett | |
|---|---|
Bennett in 1966 | |
| Born | Hywel Thomas Bennett 8 April 1944 Garnant, Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Died | 24 July 2017 (aged 73) |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1965–2007 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Alun Lewis (brother) Amelia Warner (niece) |
Bennett played opposite Hayley Mills in The Family Way, Twisted Nerve (1968) and Endless Night (1972). Other notable film roles include Private Brigg in the comedy The Virgin Soldiers (1969), Dennis in Loot (1970) and Edwin Antony in Percy (1971). Bennett's character, Ricki Tarr, was pivotal in the BBC serial adaptation of John le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979). In later years, he was often cast in villainous roles including Mr Croup in Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere (1996), Peter Baxter in ITV police drama The Bill (2002) and crime boss Jack Dalton in EastEnders (2003).