Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)
| Richard Wilson OBE |
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|---|---|
Wilson in 2007.
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| Born |
Ian Carmichael Wilson 9 July 1936 Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Actor, theatre director, broadcaster |
| Years active | 1964 – 2016 |
| Notable work | See below |
| Television |
Only When I Laugh One Foot in the Grave Born and Bred Britain's Best Drives Merlin Doctor Who |
Richard Wilson OBE (born Ian Carmichael Wilson; 9 July 1936) is a Scottish actor, theatre director and broadcaster. He played Victor Meldrew in the BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave. A later role was as Gaius, the court physician of Camelot, in the BBC drama Merlin.
Wilson was born in Greenock, Scotland. He studied science subjects at Greenock Academy, then did his National Service with the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in Singapore. He worked in a laboratory at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow as a research assistant, before switching to acting at age 27. He trained at RADA and then appeared in repertory theatres in Edinburgh (Traverse Theatre), Glasgow and Manchester (Stables Theatre).
He initially turned down the role of Victor Meldrew and it was almost offered to Les Dawson before Wilson changed his mind.
Wilson was awarded the OBE for services to drama as a director and actor in 1994. In April 1996, he was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow for a term of three years.
Wilson has worked for the gay rights campaign group Stonewall and the Labour Party. He is one of the patrons of Scottish Youth Theatre. Wilson is also a long-time supporter of the charity Sense and in 2007 hosted their annual award ceremony. He is also one of the honorary patrons of the London children's charity, Scene & Heard.
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