Derek Fowlds Biography

(Actor)

Birthday: September 2, 1937 (Virgo)

Born In: London, England, United Kingdom

Derek Fowlds was an English actor who appeared in several TV shows, such as the sitcom series ‘Yes Minister’ and the police drama series ‘Heartbeat’. Born in Wandsworth, London, he learnt acting at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He made his acting debut in a production of the play 'The Miracle Worker'. He also appeared in several films such as ‘Hotel Paradiso’ and ‘Tower of Evil’. He became known for his work in the series ‘The Basil Brush Show’. He also earned popularity for his roles of Bernard Woolley in the sitcom ‘Yes Minister’ and of Oscar Blaketon in the police drama series ‘Heartbeat’. He appeared in over 300 episodes of ‘Heartbeat’ between 1992 and 2010, and it can be considered his life's most significant work.
4
Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In September

Also Known As: Derek James Fowlds

Died At Age: 82

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Lesley Judd (m. 1974 - div. 1978), Wendy Tory (m. 1963 - div. 1973)

father: James Witney Fowlds

mother: Ketha Muriel Fowlds

Partner: Jo Lindsay (1976)

Born Country: England

Actors British Men

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

Died on: January 17, 2020

place of death: Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

City: London, England

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

More Facts

education: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Ashlyns School

  • 1

    What TV shows did Derek Fowlds star in?

    Derek Fowlds starred in popular TV shows such as "Yes Minister" and "Heartbeat".
  • 2

    Did Derek Fowlds have any notable film roles?

    Derek Fowlds appeared in films such as "The TV Set" and "Floods of Fear".
  • 3

    Was Derek Fowlds involved in any charity work?

    Derek Fowlds was known for his support of various charities, including animal welfare organizations.
  • 4

    Did Derek Fowlds have any interesting hobbies?

    Derek Fowlds was known to be a keen gardener and had a passion for wildlife conservation.
  • 5

    What was Derek Fowlds known for besides acting?

    Derek Fowlds was also known for his voice acting work, providing voices for animated series and radio dramas.
Career
Derek Fowlds made his acting debut as a stage actor in the play 'The Miracle Worker'. He made his film debut playing a supporting role in the 1962 comedy film ‘We Joined the Navy’. In 1963, he was seen in the role of a medical student in the comedy film ‘Doctor in Distress’. He continued to appear in various other films. Some of his important works include 'Hotel Paradiso'. Released in 1966, the film was directed by Peter Glenville. The film was based on a play titled "L'Hôtel du libre échange" by Maurice Desvallières and Georges Feydeau.
In 1967, he played the role of Johan, a supporting character in the horror film ‘Frankenstein Created Woman’. Directed by Terence Fisher, the film was a commercial success. The film focused on metaphysical dimensions of life, like the question of the soul, and the relationship it has with the body. He continued to earn popularity for his films such as ‘The Smashing Bird I Used to Know’ (1969), ‘Tower of Evil’ (1972), and ‘Mistress Pamela’ (1973). He gained a lot of popularity, especially among children, for his role in the TV series ‘The Basil Brush Sho’`. Between 1980 and 1984, he played Bernard Woolley, one of the main characters in the TV series ‘Yes Minister’. The series gained appreciation from critics, and also received several BAFTA Awards. It was also known to be the favourite TV program of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Fowlds also played recurring characters in few other TV shows including ‘Affairs of the Heart’, and ‘Die Kinder’.
In 1992, he played lead role in the Australian film ‘Over the Hill’. The same year, he began appearing in the police drama series ‘Heartbeat’, playing the main role of Sergeant Oscar Blaketon. He continued to play the role till the show ended in 2010. Reviews towards the series were generally mixed to positive. The series also won a few awards.
Continue Reading Below
Family & Personal Life
Derek Fowlds was born on 2 September 1937, in Wandsworth, London, UK, to James Witney Fowlds and Ketha Muriel. His father worked as a salesman.
Derek studied at Ashlyns School, and later attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to learn acting.
He was married twice. Both his marriages ended in divorce. From 1964 (to 1973, he was married to Wendy Tory. They had two children. From 1974 to 1978, he was married to Lesley Judd, dancer and TV presenter.
Derek Fowlds published an autobiography in 2015, which was titled ‘A Part Worth Playing’.
He passed away on 17 January 2020, at the age of 82, due to heart failure and sepsis, as well as pneumonia.
Facts About Derek Fowlds
Derek Fowlds was known for his love of animals, particularly his pet parrot named Jake, who often accompanied him to filming sets.
In addition to his acting career, Fowlds was also a talented artist and enjoyed painting in his free time.
Fowlds had a great sense of humor and was known for his quick wit, often keeping his co-stars and crew entertained on set.
Outside of his work in television and film, Fowlds was a passionate supporter of various charitable causes, dedicating his time and resources to helping others.
Fowlds had a fondness for classic cars and would often be seen driving around in his vintage vehicles, showcasing his love for all things retro.

How To Cite

Article Title
- Derek Fowlds Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/derek-fowlds-47076.php

People Also Viewed

Andrew Garfield Biography
Andrew Garfield
(American, British)
 
Wentworth Miller Biography
Wentworth Miller
(American, British)
 
Gary Oldman Biography
Gary Oldman
(British)
 
Henry Cavill Biography
Henry Cavill
(British)
 
Jason Statham Biography
Jason Statham
(British)
 
Tom Hardy Biography
Tom Hardy
(British)
 
Orlando Bloom Biography
Orlando Bloom
(British)
 
Toby Stephens Biography
Toby Stephens
(British)