John Westbrook (actor)
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John Westbrook (1 November 1922 - 16 June 1989) was an English actor.
Born in Teignmouth, Devon, John Westbrook worked mainly in theatre and in radio. He also made occasional film and television appearances. His most famous role was as Christopher in Roger Corman's The Tomb of Ligeia. Noted for his deep, mellifluous voice, he also recorded radio plays and audio books, and provided the role of Treebeard in the 1978 animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Westbrook also recorded the vocal parts for the orchestral pieces An Oxford Elegy by Vaughan Williams and Morning Heroes by Arthur Bliss.
He performed in a great many Shakespeare plays, which included the title part in "Richard II" at the Citizens', Glasgow in 1956, Morocco and the Duke of Venice in "The Merchant of Venice" for BBC Television in 1955, Theseus in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for BBC Television in 1958 and Prospero in "The Tempest" for the Bristol Old Vic in 1960. On radio he played Cassio in "Othello", Fortinbras and later The Ghost in "Hamlet", Banquo in "Macbeth" etc.
Also for BBC Radio he was a remarkably fine Jesus in the last revival of Dorothy L.Sayers's "The Man Born to be King". He also portrayed Jesus in festival theatre productions, and much other work with a religious theme such as his Becket in "Murder In The Cathedral". Comparatively rare London appearances included "The River Line" at what was then the Strand Theatre in 1952.
He appeared in poetry recitals all over the UK, including his own solo programme "The Ruling Passion".
