Ian Yule

Ian Yule is a British born South African actor and former soldier. He had a film career that commenced in the late 1960s and lasted to around the early to mid 2000s. Many of the roles he has played are that of a soldier. The films he has appeared in include Killer Force, in 1976, One Way also released in 1976, Golden Rendezvous in 1977, The Wild Geese in 1978, Safari 3000 in 1982, City of Blood in 1983, and many more. He was also a stuntman in a few films. He also was a screen writer and wrote some screen plays including Shamwari in which he starred opposite Ken Gampu. He was a well known actor in South Africa.

Background

Ian Yule was born in the UK some time before the second world war. He was also orphaned and later a couple adopted him. They were killed in the London Blitz during the war. Later some Americans who were stationed in the UK took him in. As a youth he joined the military which became the career path for a great period of his life.^[1] During his career he was a member of the British Parachute Regiment and the Special Air Service.^[2] As an actor in the action genre he was recognised for his accomplishments.^[3]

Film career

1950s - 1960s

Yule's first association with films goes back to the 1950s when he has an role as a stuntman in the 1959 film Ben-Hur.^[4] He also did stunt work in the The Longest Day which was released in 1962.^[5] His early acting roles included playing the part of Andy Wilson in 1967 film Wild Season which was directed by Emil Nofal.^[6] In 1968, he had a reoccurring role as Freddy in the television series Schatzsucher unserer Tage which was directed by Rolf von Sydow.^[7][8]

1970s - 1980s

He played the part of Trooper Dillon in the David Millin directed Shangani Patrol which was released in 1970.^[9] In the 1978 Wild Geese, playing the part of Sgt. Tosh Donaldson, he was part of a cast that included Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris.^[10][11] Yule introduced Col. "Mad" Mike Hoare to Wild Geese producer Euan Lloyd. Hoare was a soldier of fortune and had made a sound impression on Lloyd. He become the military advisor for the film and added to realism of the film.^[12]

Starring opposite Ken Gampu, he appeared in the 1982 film Shamwari. The film bore a similarity to an earlier film, The Defiant Ones that starred Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis. Like the characters in that film, there is racial hatred between the two of them. They escape from a chain gang detail. To survive they have to get rid of their hatred for each other.^[13] Yule was led to believe that the film was a flop, however John Hume who produced the film was marketing it under a different name and making money from it.^[14]

In 1986, he appeared as Bill Smith in the film Jake Speed.^[15] He played the part of Max Wharton in the 1988 film, City of Blood.^[16]

1990s - 2000s

He e played the part of Harvey in the 1995 film Cyborg Cop III which was directed by Yossi Wein.^[17] In the 1999 film Operation Delta Force 3: Clear Target, he played the part of General Hightower.^[18]

Possibly his last film was Der weisse Afrikaner which was released in 2004.^[19]

Later years

In mid-December 2015, Yule arrived in the UK from South Africa and not in the best state health wise. He was also destitute. He just had a carry bag, a set of pyjamas and his walking sticks. After being helped by one organisation, the South African Legion South African Legion the SSAFA were instrumental in getting him the care he required. During the course of helping Yule, he had to be hospitalized as he had heart problems.^[20]

Filmography

References

External links

• Ian Yule on IMDb
• South African Legion: Ian Yule
• My own actors library: Ian Yule