Mark Lester
| Mark Lester | |
|---|---|
Lester in 1977
|
|
| Born |
Mark A. Letzer 11 July 1958 Oxford, England |
| Occupation | Child actor, musician |
| Years active | 1964–1977, 2015-present |
| Spouse(s) | Jane (1993–2005, divorced) Lisa (2006–present) |
| Children | 4 |
Mark Lester (born Mark A. Letzer; 11 July 1958) is an English former child star and actor known for playing the title role in the 1968 musical film version of Oliver! and starring in a number of other British and European films of the 1960s and 1970s and in a number of television series.
Lester was born in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire in southern England, to actress Rita Keene Lester and actor and producer Michael Lester (originally Michael Boris Letzer). His father was Jewish and his mother Anglican.
Lester was educated at three independent schools: at Corona Theatre School in Ravenscourt Park in West London, followed by Tower House School, a boys' preparatory school near Richmond Park (also in West London), and at Halliford School in Shepperton in Surrey.
Lester initially had supporting roles in several British television series, including The Human Jungle and Danger Man.
In 1964, at the age of six, Lester was cast in Robert Dhéry's film Allez France! (English title The Counterfeit Constable) with Diana Dors (who appeared in the 1948 film version of Oliver Twist). He played a small part as the second schoolboy in Fahrenheit 451.
In 1967, at the age of eight, Lester was cast in the title role in the film version of Lionel Bart's musical Oliver!. The multiple Academy Award-winning adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel co-starred Jack Wild, Ron Moody, Harry Secombe, Shani Wallis and Oliver Reed and was directed by Sir Carol Reed. Since Lester could not sing, all of his singing in the movie was dubbed by Kathe Green, daughter of the film's music arranger Johnny Green. Lester was good friends with Wild throughout the making of the film and their friendship continued after production, with Lester describing Wild as a "long lost brother". When Wild was nominated for an Academy Award for the film, they were flown together to the United States for the ceremony.
...
Wikipedia