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One of England's most successful and enduring character actors, with a prolific screen career on television and in films, Robert Hardy was acclaimed for his versatility and the depth of his performances. Born in Cheltenham in 1925, he studied at Oxford University and, in 1949, he joined the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon. Television viewers most fondly remember him as the overbearing Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small (1978) but his most critically acclaimed performance was as the title character of Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981). His portrayal of Britain's wartime leader was so accurately observed that, in the following years, he was called on to reprise the role in such productions as The Woman He Loved (1988) and War and Remembrance (1988). Unlike some British character actors, Hardy was not a Hollywood name and his work in films was therefore restricted to appearances in predominantly British-based productions such as The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) and Sense and Sensibility (1995). However, in the 21st century, Hardy came to the attention of a whole new generation for his performances in the hugely successful Harry Potter films, while also continuing to make regular appearances in British television series. His co-star from All Creatures Great and Small (1978), Peter Davison, quite simply described Hardy as an "extraordinary" actor who would "never do the same thing twice" when he was acting with him. He was awarded the CBE for services to acting. He died in August 2017.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2017
Snapshot Wedding
Movie Donald
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2015
Joseph's Reel
Movie Old Joseph
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2015
Churchill: 100 Days That Saved Britain
Movie Winston Churchill
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2013
Narnia's Lost Poet: The Secret Lives and Loves of C.S. Lewis
Movie Self - Interviewee
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2009
Ghosts in the Machine
Movie Narrator
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2009
Margaret
Movie Willie Whitelaw
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2009
Centenary: The BP Story
Movie George Reynolds (voice)
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2007
Elementary My Dear Viewer
Movie Self
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2007
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
TV show Self
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2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Movie Cornelius Fudge
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2007
Lewis
TV show Sir Arnold Raeburn
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2006
Goodbye Mr Snuggles
Movie Mr. Stiles
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2006
Le Grand Charles
TV show Franklin D. Roosevelt
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2005
Lassie
Movie Judge Murray
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2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Movie Cornelius Fudge
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2004
Agatha Christie's Marple
TV show Winston Churchill
More credits
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2004
Making Waves
Movie Father Parry
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2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Movie Cornelius Fudge
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2003
Death in Holy Orders
TV show Father Martin Petrie
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2003
Lucky Jim
Movie Professor Neddy Welch
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2003
The Gathering
Movie Bishop
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2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Movie Cornelius Fudge
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2002
Foyle's War
TV show Henry Beaumont
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2002
Bertie and Elizabeth
Movie President Roosevelt
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2002
Thunderpants
Movie Doctor
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2002
Spooks
TV show Sir John Barry
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2002
The Falklands Play
Movie Sir Anthony Parsons
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2002
Shackleton
TV show Sir James Caird
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2001
The Lost World
Movie Prof. Illingworth
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2001
The Lost World
TV show Professor Illingworth
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2000
Justice in Wonderland
Movie Mr. Justice Morland
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2000
The 10th Kingdom
TV show Chancellor Griswold
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1999
The Tichborne Claimant
Movie Lord Rivers
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1999
An Ideal Husband
Movie Lord Caversham
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1999
Nancherrow
TV show
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1999
Nancherrow
Movie Viscount Berryan
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1998
The Barber of Siberia
Movie Forsten
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1997
Castle Ghosts of Wales
Movie Self
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1997
Mrs. Dalloway
Movie Sir William Bradshaw
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1997
Midsomer Murders
TV show Robert Cavendish