Frank Windsor
Frank Windsor Higgins (12 July 1928 – 30 September 2020), known professionally as Frank Windsor, was an English actor, primarily known for his roles on television.
Frank Windsor | |
---|---|
Born | Frank Windsor Higgins[1] 12 July 1928 Walsall, Staffordshire, England |
Died | 30 September 2020 92) London, England | (aged
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1959–2004 |
Spouse(s) | Mary Corbett 1959–2020 |
Children | 2 |
Biography
Windsor attended Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, and studied speech training and drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama, then based at the Royal Albert Hall, London.[2] He played Detective Sergeant John Watt in Z-Cars from 1962 to 1965, and thereafter its spin-offs Softly, Softly (1966-1969), Softly, Softly: Taskforce (1969-1976), Jack The Ripper (1973), and Second Verdict (1976). He appeared as 'Tobin' in Series 6, Episode 9 of The Avengers.
In 1969, he appeared in the pilot episode of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) in the episode "My Late Lamented Friend and Partner" as Sorrensen, a wealthy businessman with a murderous streak. His lighter side was demonstrated in the pilot episode of the situation comedy The Dustbinmen in 1968, and as Scoutfinder General in an episode of The Goodies.[3]
From 1987 to 1989, he starred in the comedy drama Flying Lady written by Brian Finch.[4] He also starred as a rather old-fashioned headmaster grappling with problems in education in Headmaster, which started as a single play in Play for Today in 1974. It was expanded into a six-part series in 1977.
He had regular roles in the BBC drama Casualty; the ITV drama Peak Practice; he played Major Charlie Grace in EastEnders (1992); appeared twice in Doctor Who; had various stage roles, and in his later years appeared in television commercials advertising life-assurance policies for people over 50.[3] He was the subject of This Is Your Life on 3 December 1975 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in East Molesey.[5]
He was married to Mary Corbett from October 1959 until his death. They had two children. Windsor died at his home in London in September 2020, at the age of 92.[6][7]
Partial filmography
- This Sporting Life (1963) - Dentist
- The Jokers (1967) - Policeman in Court (uncredited)
- Spring and Port Wine (1969) - Ned Duckworth
- Dropout (1970)
- Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) - Bill Hodson
- Assassin (1973) - John Stacy
- Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) - Police Sergeant
- Leyland Cars - The Quality Connection (1975) - Police Officer/Commentator
- Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978) - Blodgett
- The London Connection (1979) - McGuffin
- Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981) - Fred Fennell
- Coming Out of the Ice (1982) - Sam Herman
- Doll's Eye (1982) - Restaurant Businessman
- Doctor Who - 4 episodes in 1983 and 1989
- The Shooting Party (1985) - Glass
- Revolution (1985) - Gen. Washington
- Out of Order (1987) - Traffic Warden
- All Creatures Great and Small (1989) - David Rayner in episode Mending Fences
- Midsomer Murders (1999) - George Meakham in S2:E2 “Strangler’s Woods”
- Between Two Women (2000) - Mr. Walker (final film role)
References
- "Frank Windsor, star of Z-Cars and Softly, Softly, dies aged 92". the Guardian. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- 'Fogie – The Life (1865-1945) of Elsie Fogerty Pioneer of speech training for the theatre and everyday life', Marion Cole (Peter Davis, London, 1967)
- Frank Windsor at IMDb
- "Obituary: Brian Finch". The Guardian. 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- "Frank Windsor". Bigredbook.info. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- Saunders, Emmaline; Pike, Molly (2 October 2020). "Frank Windsor dead: EastEnders and Z-Cars legend dies at home surrounded by family". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- "Frank Windsor obituary". the Guardian. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
External links
- Frank Windsor at IMDb
- Frank Windsor discography at Discogs