Wilfrid Brambell
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 22, 1912
- Died
- January 18, 1985 (aged 72)
- Birthplace
- Dublin, Ireland
Biography
Henry Wilfrid Brambell (22 March 1912 – 18 January 1985) was an Irish actor best known for his role as Albert Steptoe in the BBC television sitcom Steptoe and Son. He began his acting career in theatre before appearing in British films and television productions, including The Quatermass Experiment (1953), Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954), In Search of the Castaways (1962), and Holiday on the Buses (1973). In 1964, he gained international recognition for his role as Paul McCartney's fictional grandfather in the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night. Following the success of Steptoe and Son, Brambell continued to perform in theatre, film and television, including a leading role in the stage play The Banana Box (1971) and a critically acclaimed performance in Terence Davies' short film Death and Transfiguration (1983). Brambell was born in Dublin, Ireland, and began performing as a child, entertaining wounded soldiers during the First World War. Before becoming a professional actor, he worked as a reporter for The Irish Times and performed at Dublin's Abbey Theatre. During the Second World War, he served with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), entertaining British military personnel. Brambell died of cancer at his home in Westminster, London, on 18 January 1985, aged 72.
Known For
A Hard Day's Night
Witchfinder General
Odd Man Out
In Search of the Castaways
The Adventures of Picasso
Carry On Again Doctor
Holiday on the Buses
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Three Lives of Thomasina
All Creatures Great and Small
Alice in Wonderland
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Filmography
Great Comedy Moments
Movie · as Albert Steptoe (archive footage)
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Movie · as Porter
Death and Transfiguration
Movie · as Robert Tucker
The Terence Davies Trilogy
Movie · as Robert Tucker (old age)
Spooky
TV · as The Sexton · 1 ep
The Island of Adventure
Movie · as Uncle Jocelyn
High Rise Donkey
Movie · as Ben Foxcroft
The Adventures of Picasso
Movie · as Alice B. Toklas
All Creatures Great and Small
TV · as Dinsdale's Brother · 1 ep
Citizen Smith
TV · as Jack · 1 ep
Holiday on the Buses
Movie · as Bert Thompson
Steptoe & Son Ride Again
Movie · as Albert Steptoe
Steptoe & Son
Movie · as Albert Steptoe
Catch Me a Spy
Movie · as Beech
Some Will, Some Won't
Movie · as Henry Russell
Never Say Die
TV · as Albert · 6 eps
Giacomo Casanova: Childhood and Adolescence
Movie · as Malipieri
Carry On Again Doctor
Movie · as Mr. Pullen (uncredited)
Witchfinder General
Movie · as Master Loach
Cry Wolf
Movie · as Delivery man
Lionheart
Movie · as Dignett
Where the Bullets Fly
Movie · as Train Guard
Alice in Wonderland
Movie · as White Rabbit
Mano di velluto
Movie · as Erwin McGowan
San Ferry Ann
Movie · as Grandad
A Hard Day's Night
Movie · as Grandfather
Crooks in Cloisters
Movie · as Phineas
The Importance of Being Earnest
Movie
Go Kart Go
Movie · as Junkman Fred
The Small World of Sammy Lee
Movie · as Harry
The Three Lives of Thomasina
Movie · as Willie Bannock
In Search of the Castaways
Movie · as Bill Gaye
The Boys
Movie · as Norman Albert Brewer
Steptoe and Son
TV · as Albert Steptoe · 55 eps
The Sinister Man
Movie · as Lock-Keeper
What a Whopper
Movie · as Postie
Flame in the Streets
Movie · as Mr. Palmer senior
They Met in a City
TV · as Pop · 1 ep
Urge to Kill
Movie · as Mr. Forsythe
Maigret
TV · as Jacob · 1 ep
Theatre '70
TV · as Lon Waley · 1 ep
Captured
Movie
Serious Charge
Movie · as Verger
No Hiding Place
TV · 2 eps
Bleak House
TV · as Mr Krook · 3 eps
The Salvage Gang
Movie · as Tramp
The Government Inspector
Movie · as The Postmaster
The Adventures of William Tell
TV · as Josef · 1 ep
The Larkins
TV · as Ernshaw · 1 ep
Break-In
Movie
The Buccaneers
TV · as Old Man · 1 ep
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot
TV · as Fisherman · 1 ep
Armchair Theatre
TV · as Mr. Finch, Rev. Canon Chasuble · 1 ep
The Adventures of Robin Hood
TV · as Fisherman · 1 ep
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Movie · as Old Man / Thin Prisoner
Sunday Night Theatre
TV · as Old Man / Thin Prisoner · 1 ep
Another Shore
Movie · as Arthur Moore
Odd Man Out
Movie · as Standing Passenger on Tram (uncredited)