* 9.10.1937, Mexborough, South Yorkshire, England

Hefty, incisive character player, often bearded, an able roisterer who has mastered a pleasing variety of stalwart sidekicks, blustery authority figures and scheming rapscallions. After repertory experience, which doubtless helped develop his booming, distinctive line delivery, Blessed gained fame when he joined the cast of British TV's gritty, long-running police drama, "Z Cars." Although that series would remain among Blessed's best-known work in his native land, his performances only began to garner notice in the U.S. later in the 1970s. His most fondly remembered work in this country may still be his ripely played Caesar Augustus, by turns commanding, villainous, hilarious and touching, in the acclaimed historical miniseries I, CLAUDIUS (1977-78). Blessed did, however, also delight as the hero's kingly father in the uproarious English comedy series, "Black Adder."

Blessed's feature career, meanwhile, included prominent parts in historical epics ranging from THE TROJAN WOMEN (1972) to MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972) and ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991). He was also a boisterously likable Prince Vultan in the campy FLASH GORDON (1980), and Kenneth Branagh put his rich bravado to good use in both HENRY V (1989), as a memorable Exeter, and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1993), as Antonio. Married to actress Hildegard Neil.

Filmography Brian Blessed

1969   BROTHERLY LOVE/COUNTRY DANCE

1969   THE CHRISTMAS TREE/L'ARBRE DE NOË/WHEN WOLVES CRY     

1969   TILL DEATH DO US PART    

1972   MAN OF LA MANCHA/L'UOMO DELLA MANCHA      

1972   THE TROJAN WOMEN

1973   HENRY VIII AND HIS SIX WIVES    

1980   FLASH GORDON       

1983   HIGH ROAD TO CHINA        

1983   THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

1984   THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE       

1989   ASTERIX ET LE COUP DU MENHIR/ASTERIX AND THE BIG FIGHT

1989   HENRY V      

1991   BACK IN THE USSR  

1991   GALAHAD OF EVEREST       

1991   PRISONER OF HONOR

1991   ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES 

1992   FREDDIE AS F.R.O.7  voice

1993   MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

1994   CHASING THE DEER  

1995   KIDNAPPED