Rodney Diak

Rodney Diak (15 June 1924 – 6 October 2007) was a British film, television, and theater actor.

He was well known for a string of hit performances on the West End, including Goodnight Mrs. Puffin and Busybody.[1]

Career

Rodney Diak was born as David Rodney Diak[1] in Harrow, England. He made his West End theater debut with Michael Redgrave and the Old Vic Company in Shakespeare's "Love's Labours Lost" at the New Theater at the age of 24.[1] He also appeared in She Stoops to Conquer with the Old Vic Company.[2] In 1951, Diak appeared on stage in Twelfth Night in front of an audience which included Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.[1] Princess Margaret remarked about Diak after the performance, "That's the most handsome actor in Britain."[1]

One of Diak's most successful performances was his turn in Goodnight Mrs. Puffin, which ran for 691 performances.[1][3] His career continued with another success with the play Busybody, which debuted in 1964.[1] He continued to appear in a number of stage roles later in his career including The Secretary Bird, Private Lives, The Boy Friend, and My Cousin Rachel.[1]

Diak's film career yielded mixed results at first. He was reportedly horrified to learn that his first feature film debut movie would be Fire Maidens from Outer Space (1956) after signing a contract with MGM Studios.[1] Diak's career improved after appearing in Dunkirk (1958) opposite actors John Mills and Richard Attenborough.[1] Diak also had smaller roles in Mr. Topaze (1961) with Peter Sellers and The Flesh and Blood Show (1972).[4] He also starred in several BBC television series including Z-Cars, Barlow at Large, The Troubleshooters and People Like Us. [1] He had a cameo role in Carry on Admiral.[1]

Filmography

Death

Rodney Diak died on 6 October 2007 in London from cancer, aged 83.[1]

References
  1. "Rodney Diak, actor, 83". Variety. 9 October 2007.
  2. "Rodney Diak - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  3. "Production of Goodnight Mrs Puffin - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  4. "Rodney Diak". BFI.


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