Eric Porter was an American actor known for his roles in The Forsyte Saga, The Jewel in the Crown, and Oliver Twist. He was celebrated for his powerful performances, particularly in Shakespearean plays.
Personal and Family Life
Eric Porter was born on April 8, 1928, in London, England. His parents were Richard John Porter and Phoebe Elizabeth Porter. He attended Wimbledon College, where he first became interested in acting. Throughout his life, Porter was known for his thick Cockney accent, and he took elocution lessons to refine his speech.
Career Highlights
Porter began his acting career with a walk-on role in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in 1945. He gained acclaim for his performances in numerous classical plays and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960. His breakout role came in the BBC miniseries The Forsyte Saga (1967), which earned him a BAFTA award. Despite offers from Hollywood, he chose to focus on theatre and quality television productions instead.
Death and Legacy
Eric Porter passed away from colon cancer on May 15, 1995, in London. He left behind a legacy as a highly respected actor who had a significant impact on British theatre and television. His portrayal of complex characters will be remembered by audiences for generations to come.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Day of the Jackal | 1973-05-16 | Colonel Rodin |
| The Lost Continent | 1968-06-19 | Lansen |
| Kaleidoscope | 1966-07-01 | Harry Dominion |
| The Thirty Nine Steps | 1978-11-04 | Chief Superintendent Lomas |
| The Fall of the Roman Empire | 1964-03-24 | Julianus |
| Hands of the Ripper | 1971-10-17 | Dr. John Pritchard |
| Callan | 1974-05-23 | Hunter |
| Antony and Cleopatra | 1972-03-18 | Enobarbus |
| Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? | 1980-03-30 | Dr. Nicholson |
| The Belstone Fox | 1973-01-01 | Asher Smith |
| Message for Posterity | 1994-10-28 | James Player |
| Oliver Twist | 1985-01-01 | Fagin |
| The Shetland Experience | 1977-01-01 | Narrator (voice) |
| Little Lord Fauntleroy | 1980-12-01 | Mr. Havisham |
| The Winslow Boy | 1977-01-16 | Arthur Winslow |
| Hitler: The Last Ten Days | 1973-04-19 | Generalfeldmarschall Robert Ritter von Greim |
| Hennessy | 1975-12-31 | Tobin |
| The Heroes of Telemark | 1965-11-12 | Terboven |
| The Crucible | 1980-01-01 | Deputy Governor Danforth |
| Churchill and the Generals | 1979-09-23 | Gen. Sir Alan Brooke |
| Hamlet | 1980-05-25 | Polonius |
| The Sin Bin | 1981-03-17 | Stanley Wilkinson |
| Separate Tables | 1970-03-15 | Major Pollock / John Malcolm |
| Nicholas and Alexandra | 1971-11-29 | Stolypin |
| The Wars of the Roses | 1965-04-08 | Henry VII |
| The Forsyte Saga | 1967-01-07 | Soames Forsyte |
| BBC Television Shakespeare | 1978-12-03 |