Aubrey Woods

Aubrey Harold Woods (9 April 1928 – 7 May 2013)[1][2] was an English actor and singer.

Aubrey Woods
Woods as Bill the Candy Man in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Born
Aubrey Harold Woods

(1928-04-09)9 April 1928
Edmonton, Middlesex, England
Died7 May 2013(2013-05-07) (aged 85)
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England
OccupationActor, singer
Years active1946–1995
Spouse(s)
Gaynor Woods
​
​
(m. 1952; his death 2013)​

Biography and career

Woods was born on 9 April 1928 in Edmonton, Middlesex and grew up in nearby Palmers Green. He was educated at the Latymer School. His first film role was as Smike in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1947). On stage he played the role of Fagin in Lionel Bart's production of Oliver! at the New Theatre, St Martin's Lane in the 1960s alongside Nicolette Roeg and Robert Bridges. He played Alfred Jingle in the TV musical Pickwick for the BBC in 1969. Woods' best remembered film role is in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, where he played the character of Bill, the Candy Store Owner, singing "The Candy Man" near the beginning of the film; the single was later a hit for entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. During the early 1970s he collaborated on the musical Trelawny with friend Julian Slade.[2]

His television credits include Z-Cars, Up Pompeii!, Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Ever Decreasing Circles. He also appeared as Jacob and Potiphar in the 1991 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, the soundtrack of which topped the British albums chart in August 1991. Radio credits include the original radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, appearing in Fit the Sixth. He dramatised E. F. Benson's 1932 comic novel "Secret Lives" in three parts for BBC radio, and was also the narrator.

Death

Woods died on 7 May 2013, at his home in Barrow-in-Furness aged 85 of natural causes. He was survived by his wife Gaynor, whom he had met at RADA and married in 1952. [2]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1947 The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Smike
1948 The Greed of William Hart Jamie Wilson
1949 The Queen of Spades Dimitri
1950 Guilt Is My Shadow Doctor
1954 Father Brown Charlie
1961 Spare the Rod Mr. Bickerstaff
1964 A Home of Your Own Water Board Inspector
1965 San Ferry Ann Immigration Officer
1967 Just like a Woman T.V. Floor Manager
1970 Futtocks End Postman
Loot Undertaker
Wuthering Heights Joseph
1971 All the Right Noises Stage Musical Performer: Foreman
Up Pompeii Villanus
The Abominable Dr. Phibes Goldsmith
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Bill
Up the Chastity Belt Vegetable Stall Holder
1972 Doctor Who Controller Episode: Day of the Daleks
Z.P.G. Dr. Mallory
The Darwin Adventure Bishop Wilberforce
1974 Jackanory Playhouse Fitzwarren Episode: Dick Whittington
Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! T.V. Chairman
1975 That Lucky Touch Viscount L'Ardey
Operation Daybreak
1979 Blake's 7 Krantor Episode: Gambit
Quincy's Quest Mr. Perfect
1982 Witness for the Prosecution Tailor TV Movie
1984 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Jurgen Episode: Last Rites
Cloak & Dagger F.B.I. Agent Uncredited
1987 I'll Take Manhattan Priest Miniseries

References
  1. "Aubrey Woods". The Times. 14 May 2013.
  2. Michael Coveney Obituary: Aubrey Woods, The Guardian, 14 May 2013
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