Christopher Benjamin, Doctor Who Actor Who Starred in Spinoff, Dead at 90

On January 10th, at the age of 90, actor Christopher Benjamin sadly passed away. This news was shared on Thursday, January 16th, by his friend, actress Lisa Bowerman. Throughout different periods of Doctor Who, Benjamin portrayed three distinct roles alongside stars such as Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, and David Tennant. Over the course of more than five decades, he was a versatile actor on both television and stage, and his many colleagues are expressing their affection for him through tributes on social media at this time. Benjamin leaves behind his wife, three children, three grandchildren, and a large number of devoted fans, as evidenced by the heartfelt comments online.

With deep regret, we share the news of the passing of our father, Christopher Benjamin, aged 90, on January 10th. Known as one of the last ‘old school’ actors, he had an illustrious and expansive career that lasted seven decades, traversing theatre, radio, TV, and film. Adored by everyone who knew him, his final stage performance was as Falstaff in a 2010 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Globe, where he not only starred but also created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie that left a lasting impression on many, often cited as the pinnacle of their professional journey.

Benjamin made his debut on “Doctor Who” in 1970, portraying Sir Keith Gold during the serial “Inferno.” He then reappeared in 1977 as Henry Gordon Jago for the serial “The Talons of Weng-Chiang,” and later in 2008 he took on the role of Colonel Hugh Curbishley in the episode “The Unicorn and the Wasp.” Benjamin has also had a long career in radio dramas, reprising his Jago character for numerous productions. Moreover, he starred in an audio spinoff series called “Jago & Litefoot,” which ran from 2010 to 2021.

Born in England in 1934, Benjamin started earning consistent television credits by 1965. Prior to this, he had already established himself in theater and radio. Throughout his career, he remained active in stage plays, even with numerous TV roles coming his way. He accepted only a handful of film roles, one of which was “The Legend of Tarzan” in 2016.

In that particular year, I, a film enthusiast, found myself reminiscing about the life of the remarkable Benjamin, who chose London as his new home along with his beloved wife, the illustrious actress and writer, Anna Fox. As shared by their family, they had been partners for an astounding 65 years. Their children penned a heartfelt account, revealing that they first crossed paths at Warminster school. The announcement was met with sorrowful sentiments from admirers and peers in the acting world alike, many of whom cherished their encounters with Benjamin – be it on screen or in person. His presence left an indelible mark on us all.

Read More

2025-01-21 19:11