James Villiers
| James Villiers | |
|---|---|
James Villiers in trailer for "Murder At The Gallop" (1963)
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| Born |
James Michael Hyde Villiers 29 September 1933 London, England, UK |
| Died | 18 January 1998 (aged 64) Arundel, Sussex, England, UK |
| Cause of death | cancer |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1954-1998 |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Donovan (1966-1984) (dissolved) Lucy Jex (1994-1998) (his death) |
James Michael Hyde Villiers (29 September 1933 – 18 January 1998) was an English character actor and a familiar face on British television. James was particularly memorable for his plummy voice and ripe articulation. He has been credited with originating the use of the word "luvvie" to describe members of the acting profession.
Villiers was born in London, the son of Eric Hyde Villiers and Joan Ankaret Talbot; he was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. 'Gentleman Jim' Villiers (pronounced Villers) was from an upper-class background, the grandson of Sir Francis Hyde Villiers and great grandson of George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon; his mother was descended from Earl Talbot. His aristocratic ancestry was often reflected in the types of role he played, such as King Charles II in the BBC series The First Churchills (1969), the Earl of Warwick in Saint Joan (1974), and Lord Thurlow in The Madness of George III.
Through his father, Villiers was a relative of Thomas Hyde Villiers, Charles Pelham Villiers, Henry Montagu Villiers and the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. Through his mother, he was distantly related to Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury.
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