Ivor Dean

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Ivor Dean (1917 - 10 August 1974) was a British stage and television actor.

With his lugubrious demeanour he was often cast as world-weary police officers or butlers, and indeed it was for his creation of the role of Chief Inspector Claude Eustace Teal in the 1960s series The Saint, opposite Roger Moore, that he is best remembered. Dean played the role of Teal for almost the entire run of the series, except two instances in early episodes where other actors were used. It was on the second occasion, in an episode called Starring The Saint which featured Dean in another role, that the producers saw the ideal actor for the part.

Dean proved the ideal foil for Moore's Simon Templar, invariably one step behind and allegedly hoping for the day when he could pin something on The Saint. Dean's character however seemed to have a respect for his adversary nonetheless.

Dean reprised the role in all but name in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969-70) in which he played Inspector Large, who had the same adversarial relationship with (the much less suave) Jeff Randall.

Dean was a regular in several other ITC series, including Jason King and The Persuaders!, appeared in the long-running LWT sitcom Doctor at Large and featured in three episodes of The Avengers.

Ivor Dean was also a memorable Long John Silver in a German television adaptation of Treasure Island, entitled Die Schatzinsel (1966). He contributed to a follow-up script, but it never materialised before his death and when it was finally made (as Return to Treasure Island, 1996) the part of Long John Silver was played by Stig Eldred.

Ivor Dean's film appearances include Theatre of Death and the 'Pride' segment of The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins.

Ivor Dean was married to the actress Patricia Hamilton. He died in Truro, Cornwall.