Glyn Houston

Glyn Houston
Born 23 October 1926
Clydach Vale, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
Occupation Actor
Spouse(s) Shirley Lawrence
Children 2

Glyn Houston (born 23 October 1926 in Clydach Vale, Glamorgan, Wales[1]), is an actor best known for his television work. He is the younger brother of the late film actor Donald Houston.[1]

Early life

Houston served in the army during the Second World War, and was briefly a stand-up comedian performing to soldiers during the war.[2] He made his first film appearance in The Blue Lamp in 1950.[3]

Career

Perhaps Glyn Houston's most notable role was as "Duncan Thomas", literary agent, in the 1980s British sitcom Keep It in the Family. He appeared in a number of films including The Great Game.[4]

In the 1970s he played Lord Peter Wimsey's valet Bunter opposite Ian Carmichael in the teleplays of several of Dorothy Sayers tales. His performance was praised in the New York Times.[5] In his critique of the 1980s BBC1 dramatization of the Harriet Vane stories, reviewer Marvin Kitman mistakenly wrote that Houston was miscast in the role of Bunter. In fact, actor Richard Morant portrayed the character in that series.[6]

Other credits included My Good Woman (1973–1974), Inspector Morse, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Minder and Doomwatch, as well as the recurring character "Det Supt Jones" in Softly, Softly.

He has also appeared twice as different characters in Doctor Who — as "Professor Owen Watson" in The Hand of Fear (1976)[7] and as "Colonel Ben Wolsey" in The Awakening (1984).[8]

Houston has over two hundred television and film credits,[1] dating back as early as 1950.[9]

Houston won a BAFTA Cymru special award in April 2008.[9] He released an autobiography titled Glyn Houston, A Black and White Actor in December 2009.[2]

Personal life

Houston was married to the actress and model Shirley Lawrence and had two children.[3] In May 2000 he unveiled a Mining Memorial in his native Rhondda at the Rhondda Heritage Park. He led the tributes to the thousands of miners who died and suffered during 150 years of mining in the South Wales coalfield.[10]

Selected filmography

References

External links