Person
Stephen Whittaker
London, England, UK
Stephen Whittaker (28 June 1947 – 7 February 2003) was a British actor and director. He worked largely in British film and television, and attended Henley-in-Arden School in Warwi…
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Stephen Whittaker (28 June 1947 – 7 February 2003) was a British actor and director. He worked largely in British film and television, and attended Henley-in-Arden School in Warwickshire before further training as an actor at London's Corona Academy. He began his career aged 17, as a "bad boy" in the film To Sir With Love (1966), and in the classic BBC Doctor Who adventure The Web of Fear, as a soldier battling Yeti in the London Underground. In 1985, Whittaker took a director's training course and directed a short training film, which he sent to John Schlesinger (who had directed him in Yanks). Schlesinger suggested him to producer Mark Shivas as director for Channel 4's drama trilogy What If It's Raining?, written by Anthony Minghella. This was the beginning of a directing career of prestigious TV and film work. Shortly before Whittaker's death, writer Julian Fellowes spoke of him as "the most exciting director in the industry." In 2001, he filmed his final project, The Rocket Post, a romantic drama set on a remote Scottish island. The film had severe funding problems and was eventually released in 2006, three years after his death. The credits bear a dedication to his memory. Whittaker died following complications from a routine surgery.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2004
The Rocket Post
Movie Director
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2003
Sons & Lovers
Movie Director
-
2001
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Movie Director
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2001
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
TV show Director
-
1998
Grafters
TV show Director
-
1998
A Life for a Life
Movie Director
-
1997
Stone, Scissors, Paper
Movie Director
-
1997
Tangier Cop
Movie Director
-
1997
Stone Cold
Movie Director
-
1996
Killing Me Softly
Movie Director
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1996
Dalziel and Pascoe
TV show Director
-
1995
Hearts and Minds
TV show Director
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1993
Closing Numbers
Movie Director
-
1990
Portrait of a Marriage
TV show Director
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1989
Agatha Christie's Poirot
TV show Director
-
1988
Eurocops
TV show Director
More credits
-
1988
Love Birds
Movie Director
-
1987
Inspector Morse
TV show Director
-
1986
What If It's Raining
TV show Director
-
1985
Screen Two
TV show Director
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1983
The Keep
Movie S.S. Kommando
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1981
Only a Game
Movie Dave Rawlings
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1979
Yanks
Movie Merchant Seaman
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1978
The One and Only Phyllis Dixey
Movie Reporter
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1976
The Paradise Run
Movie Terrorist
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1975
The Legend of Robin Hood
TV show Ralph Gammon
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1973
I Escaped from Devil's Island
Movie Leper Count
-
1972
Crown Court
TV show Kevin Wilson Lewis
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1971
Runaway, Runaway
Movie Assistant Director
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1971
Bury Me an Angel
Movie The Killer
-
1968
Scene
TV show Director
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1968
Countercrime
Movie George West
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1968
Doctor Who: The Web of Fear
Movie Craftsman Weams
-
1968
Up the Junction
Movie Alf
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1967
Sat'day While Sunday
TV show Ossie
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1967
Sanctuary
TV show Peter Lord
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1967
To Sir, with Love
Movie Schoolboy
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1967
Champion House
TV show The Clerk
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1966
The World in Silence
Movie Harold
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1965
BBC Play of the Month
TV show Paratrooper
