Don Henderson | |
---|---|
Born |
Donald Francis Henderson 10 November 1931 Leytonstone, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
Died | 22 June 1997 Warwick, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
(aged 65)
Cause of death | Throat cancer |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1964–1997 |
Spouse(s) | Shirley Stelfox (1979–1997; his death) |
Children | John Henderson Mimi Henderson |
Donald Francis "Don" Henderson (10 November 1931 – 22 June 1997) was an English actor of stage, television and screen. Henderson was known for playing both "tough guy" roles and authority figures, and is remembered for his portrayal of detective George Bulman between 1976 and 1987 in the popular Granada Television police drama series The XYY Man, Strangers, and Bulman, as priest Frank Kane in BBC drama The Paradise Club (1989–90), and as General Tagge in the first Star Wars film (1977). This last role also brought him attention from science fiction fans, and he later appeared in cult science fiction television series Red Dwarf and Doctor Who.
He lived in his adopted home town of Stratford-upon-Avon for many years, where he was a familiar face to locals. He also had several minor roles at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the town. Prior to becoming an actor, Henderson was a dental technician in the Army, a detective sergeant with the Essex Constabulary, and an insurance salesman.
Henderson is best remembered for his role as the fictional detective George Bulman. This character featured in three TV series The XYY Man in the mid-1970s; the later Strangers that saw Bulman rise from Detective Sergeant to Detective Chief Inspector and, in 1985, the series Bulman saw George retired from the police and pursuing a career as a horologist. He also starred in the popular TV drama series Warship.