Biography
The highlight of two seasons at the Old Vic was his portrayal of Mercutio in Franco Zeffirelli's production of "Romeo and Juliet" (1960-61), and when he moved to the Royal Shakespeare Company, he played the Fool to Paul Scofield's "King Lear" (1962), roles the two would reprise on Broadway in 1964. McCowen sealed his reputation with two enormous hits at the end of the decade, Peter Luke's "Hadrian VII" (1967-69) and Christopher Hampton's "The …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2000 | Made cameo appearance in the BBC adaptation of "David Copperfield" | |
2000 | Had supporting role in the acclaimed British miniseries "Longitude" | |
1996 | Narrated HBO's "Shakespeare: The Animated Tales" version of "King Richard III" | |
1995 | Last feature film to date, Malcolm McKay's "Cruel Train" | |
1993 | Provided narration for HBO's "Shakespeare: The Annimated Tales" version of "Macbeth" | |
1993 | Portrayed Sillerton Jackson in Martin Scorsese's "The Age of Innocence", adapted from the Edith Wharton novel | |
1989 | Interrupted tour of his one-man-show "Shakespeare, Cole and Company" to play the Bishop of Ely in Kenneth Branagh's film version of "Henry V" | |
1987 | Played Acting High Commissioner in Richard Attenborough's "Cry Freedom" | |
1987 | Delivered a thoroughly enjoyable turn as the Wing Commander, one of Julie Walters' bizarre menage, in the film "Personal Services" | |
1983 | As Q, 007's favorite science expert, displayed the latest gadgetry to Sean Connery in "Never Say Never Again" | |
1978 | Starred in one-man-show, "St Mark's Gospel", in both London and NYC; reprised show in 1981 and 1990; adapted the script and directed all incarnations; received third Tony nomination | |
1977 | Performed the role of Martin Dysart on Broadway in "Equus", reprising the role he had played at the Old Vic in 1973 | |
1975 | Reprised Alceste for Broadway production of "The Misanthrope" | |
1973 | Partnered opposite Diana Rigg in Tony Harrison's inspired reworking of Moliere's "The Misanthrope" | |
1972 | Directed London stage production of "While the Sun Shines" | |
1972 | Acted in the films of two giants, George Cukor's "Travels With My Aunt" and Alfred Hitchcok's "Frenzy" | |
| Portrayed Philip in Christopher Hampton's "The Philanthropist" on the London stage and later on Broadway; received second Tony nomination | ||
1970 | Played title role in Birmingham Repertory Theatre production of "Hamlet" | |
| Originated the role of Father William Rolfe in Peter Luke's "Hadrian VII", eventually playing it on Broadway; earned Tony nomination | ||
1964 | Reprised "Lear" role opposite Scofield in RSC production at NYC's State Theatre | |
1962 | Delivered a nice turn as a psychiatrist in Tony Richardson's "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner", adapted to the screen by Alan Silitoe from his short story | |
1962 | Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing the Fool to Paul Scofield's Lear in "King Lear" | |
| Played Mercutio in Franco Zeffirelli's production of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Old Vic; during same season, acted the title role in "Richard II", Malvolio in "Twelfth Night" and Oberon in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", all at the Old Vic | ||
1958 | Appeared as a passenger on board the Titanic in "A Night to Remember" | |
1954 | Portrayed Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Barnaby Tucker in English stage versions of "Moulin Rouge" and Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker" | |
1953 | Film debut in "The Cruel Sea" | |
1951 | Accompanied Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh to New York, making his Broadway debut as a messenger in "Anthony and Cleopatra" | |
1950 | First role in London, Maxim in "Ivanov" | |
1945 | Toured Indian and Burmese cities in "Love in a Mist" | |
| Appeared in various British repertory productions | ||
1942 | Stage debut as Micky in "Paddy, the Next Best Thing" | |
Awards
1972 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in Travels With My Aunt |