Henry Woolf
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Henry Woolf (born 1930 in London, England) is a British actor. He was called a "living icon of the theatrical avant-garde" by Richard Eyre and Nicholas Wright in the BBC TV series and companion book A View of British Theatre in the Twentieth Century.
Woolf was educated at Hackney Downs Grammar School, where he met Harold Pinter. He received a BA from London University, and a postgraduate diploma from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He commissioned Harold Pinter's first play, The Room (1957) in which he also premiered the role of Mr. Kidd. The two have been lifelong friends and collaborators. Woolf first developed his acting ability in the many theatre companies in London, leading to various tours in New York and elsewhere, working alongside such contemporaries as Laurence Olivier, Orson Welles and Ralph Richardson.
His film credits include The Lion in Winter (1968), Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973), Steptoe and Son (1974), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Gorky Park (1983), Superman III (1983). Television roles include Rutland Weekend Television (1975), The Sweeney (1975), and the Doctor Who serial The Sun Makers (in the role of the Collector). Those who were children growing up in Britain in the 1970s will also remember him as the host of the pre-school educational series Words and Pictures. Woolf still makes occasional film appearances, most recently in the 2004 short film, Of Note.
In 1989, Woolf appeared as Doctor Cornelius in the BBC adaptation of Prince Caspian.
Woolf moved to Canada in 1978. He joined the staff of the University of Saskatchewan in 1983, and was evenutually promoted to Full Professor in 1990. He also served as head of the university's Drama department. Woolf received the Master Teacher Award from the university in 1994. Woolf also served as Artistic Director of the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival in Saskatoon each year since 1991 until his retirement from the position in 2001. The company is known for its unique presentation of the Bard's works.
Henry Woolf is married to actor/director Susan Williamson; they currently reside in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is scheduled to reprise his role of Mr. Kidd in a 2007 production of The Room, to mark the 50th anniversary of the original production.
[edit] Reference
- "Room for a little one": interview with Henry Woolf; Jewish Chronicle, March 17 2000 p.43
