Oliver Ford Davies

Oliver Ford Davies
Born Oliver Robert Ford Davies
12 August 1939
Ealing, Middlesex, England, UK[1]
Occupation Actor, writer
Years active 1972–present
Spouse(s) Jenifer Armitage (1977-present)

Oliver Robert Ford Davies (born 12 August 1939) is an English actor and writer.

Early life and academic career

Davies was born in Ealing, Middlesex, England. He attended the King's School, Canterbury. From there, he won a scholarship to Merton College, Oxford, where he read History and became President of the Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS). After obtaining his D Phil,[2] he worked as a history lecturer at the University of Edinburgh before taking up acting professionally in 1967.[3]

Acting career

Davies had a regular role as Peter Foxcott QC in Kavanagh QC. He also appeared in the ITV television drama The Uninvited, and in a 2002 episode of the popular drama Foyle's War. His highest-profile acting role was most likely his role as Sio Bibble in the Star Wars "prequel trilogy" films, released in 1999, 2002 and 2005.

He appeared as Polonius in Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company, alongside David Tennant and Patrick Stewart, and in 2009 appeared in All's Well That Ends Well at the Royal National Theatre as the King of France. In 2010 he appeared as Balfour in the premiere of Ben Brown's play The Promise, about the Balfour Declaration. In 2012, he appeared in a stage adaptation of Michelle Magorian's book Goodnight Mister Tom, in which he played the central character, Thomas Oakley. He is back with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2014 as Justice Shallow in "Henry IV, Part 2".

Awards and nominations

Davies was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award in 1990 (1989 season) for Best Actor in a New Play for Racing Demon. He was twice nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for his performance in Absolutely! (perhaps) at the Wyndham's Theatre in 2003 and again in 2009 for his performance as Polonius in the RSC production of Hamlet at the Novello Theatre.

Books

Oliver Ford Davies' books include Playing Lear, an account of his experience while performing King Lear at the Almeida Theatre, and Performing Shakespeare. Both are published by Nick Hern Books.

Selected television appearances

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Profile at ftvdb.bfi.org.uk
  2. ↑ Naxos Audiobooks: Oliver Ford Davies; accessed 22 March 2013
  3. ↑ "Oliver Ford Davies, actor – portrait of the artist", The Guardian, 18 December 2012. Accessed 22 March 2013

External links