A Brief Biography
May 9th, 2008Brian Blessed is one of Britain’s most recognisable actors for his imposing stature (although he is not particularly tall, his weight and breadth make up for it), booming voice and, in later years, an impressive beard in which small woodland creatures could seek refuge. Blessed is also an adventurer and explorer, an author and has loaned his vocal talents to televised Sumo Wrestling, as well as adverts for the British National Lottery.
A giant of a man accompanied by an eloquent wit and operatic voice, Brian was born in 1936 and grew up in the mining village of Goldthorpe in South Yorkshire. His father was a miner who wanted a better life for his son; Brian lost three uncles in the pit.
At a young age he displayed an acute talent for acting in school productions, but also had a penchant for boxing, which was short-lived. Working various blue-collar jobs from undertaker’s assistant to plasterer, Brian managed to attend the Bristol Old Vic and was off and running. He has lent his musical talents to several productions — from playing Old Deuteronomy in “Cats” to The Baron in the more recent “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
In the 1970s he began appearing more and more on-camera with both classical and contemporary performances. In costumed TV movies he has played Porthos in one of the many “Three Musketeers” TV versions, Augustus in “I, Claudius” (1976) (mini), and Long John Silver in _”Treasure Island”_ (1985), and has been a part of various reenactments including “Catherine the Great,” “Lady Chatterley,” “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and “Kidnapped.”
On film he’s appeared in robust support in several Shakespearian adaptations including Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Hamlet (1996) and Macbeth (1997). He is married to British actress Hildegarde Neil who made an appearance with him in the last mentioned film.