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{{Short description|Welsh actor (1925–2019)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Glyn Houston
| name = Glyn Houston
| birth_name =
| image = Glyn_Houston.jpg
| birth_name = Glyndwr Desmond Houston
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1925|10|23|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1925|10|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Clydach Vale]], [[Glamorgan]], Wales
| birth_place = [[Clydach Vale]], [[Glamorgan]], Wales
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|7|3|1925|10|23|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|6|30|1925|10|23|df=yes}}
| occupation = [[Actor]]
| occupation = [[Actor]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Shirley Lawrence|1956}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Shirley Lawrence|1956}}
| children = 2
| children = 2
| relatives = [[Donald Houston]] <small>(brother)</small>
| family = [[Donald Houston]] (brother)
| yearsactive = 1949–1996
| yearsactive = 1949–1996
}}
}}


'''Glyn Houston''' (23 October 1925 - 3 July 2019) is a Welsh actor best known for his [[television]] work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welsh Actor Glyn Houston Dies at 93 |url=http://www.deanpowellpr.com/index.php/newsroom/100-welsh-actor-glyn-houston-dies-at-93 |website=Dean Powell Public Relations |accessdate=3 July 2019}}</ref> He was the younger brother of film actor [[Donald Houston]].<ref name=BFI>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f41c255|title=Glyn Houston|website=Bfi.org.uk}}</ref>
'''Glyndwr Desmond Houston''' (23 October 1925 – 30 June 2019) was a Welsh actor best known for his [[television]] work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welsh Actor Glyn Houston Dies at 93 |url=http://www.deanpowellpr.com/index.php/newsroom/100-welsh-actor-glyn-houston-dies-at-93 |website=Dean Powell Public Relations |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> He was the younger brother of film actor [[Donald Houston]].<ref name=BFI>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f41c255|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205005100/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f41c255|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2016|title=Glyn Houston|website=Bfi.org.uk}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Houston was born in [[Clydach Vale]], [[Glamorgan]], Wales.<ref name=BFI /> He served in the [[British Army|army]] during the [[Second World War]], and was briefly a stand-up comedian performing to soldiers during the war.<ref name=Autobiography>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/actor-glyn-houston-opens-up-2063855|title=Actor Glyn Houston opens up in new autobiography|date=7 December 2009|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref> He made his first film appearance in ''[[The Blue Lamp]]'' in 1950.<ref name=Review>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/actor-glyn-houstons-autobiography-2067276|title=Actor Glyn Houston’s autobiography|date=31 December 2009|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref>
Houston was born at 10 Thomas Street, [[Tonypandy]], [[Glamorgan]], Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deanpowellpr.com/index.php/newsroom/100-welsh-actor-glyn-houston-dies-at-93|title=Welsh Actor Glyn Houston Dies at 93|date=3 July 2019|access-date=4 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=BFI /> He served in the [[British Army|army]] during the [[Second World War]], and was briefly a stand-up comedian performing for soldiers during the war.<ref name=Autobiography>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/actor-glyn-houston-opens-up-2063855|title=Actor Glyn Houston opens up in new autobiography|date=7 December 2009|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref> He made his first film appearance in ''[[The Blue Lamp]]'' in 1950.<ref name=Review>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/actor-glyn-houstons-autobiography-2067276|title=Actor Glyn Houston’s autobiography|date=31 December 2009|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Houston had a role as "Duncan Thomas", literary agent, in the 1980s British sitcom ''[[Keep It in the Family (1980 TV series)|Keep It in the Family]]''. He appeared in a number of films including ''[[The Great Game (1953 film)|The Great Game]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/glyn-houstons-book-date-2064055|title=Glyn Houston’s book date|date=10 December 2009|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref> In the 1970s he played [[Lord Peter Wimsey]]'s valet [[Mervyn Bunter|Bunter]] opposite [[Ian Carmichael]] in the teleplays of several of [[Dorothy Sayers]] tales. His performance was praised in the [[New York Times]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/06/arts/tv-view-sidekicks-dimmer-than-the-stars-yet.html|title=TV VIEW; Sidekicks: Dimmer Than the Stars, Yet . . .|first=Walter|last=Goodman|date=6 May 1990|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
In the 1970s Houston played [[Lord Peter Wimsey]]'s valet [[Mervyn Bunter|Bunter]] opposite [[Ian Carmichael]] in television adaptations of several of [[Dorothy Sayers]] tales. His performance was praised in ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/06/arts/tv-view-sidekicks-dimmer-than-the-stars-yet.html|title=TV VIEW; Sidekicks: Dimmer Than the Stars, Yet . . .|first=Walter|last=Goodman|date=6 May 1990|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Later, he had a role as a literary agent in the 1980s British sitcom ''[[Keep It in the Family (1980 TV series)|Keep It in the Family]]''. He appeared in a number of films including ''[[The Great Game (1953 film)|The Great Game]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/glyn-houstons-book-date-2064055|title=Glyn Houston’s book date|date=10 December 2009|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref>


Other credits included ''My Good Woman'' (1973–1974), ''[[A Horseman Riding By]]'' (1978), ''[[Inspector Morse (TV series)|Inspector Morse]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' and ''[[Doomwatch]]'', as well as the recurring character "Det Supt Jones" in ''[[Softly, Softly (television series)|Softly, Softly]]''. He has also appeared twice as different characters in ''[[Doctor Who]]'' &mdash; as "Professor Owen Watson" in ''[[The Hand of Fear]]'' (1976)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/handoffear/detail.shtml|title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - The Hand of Fear - Details|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> and as "Colonel Ben Wolsey" in ''[[The Awakening (Doctor Who)|The Awakening]]'' (1984).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/awakening/detail.shtml|title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - The Awakening - Details|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He also played [[Brother Cadfael]] in a 1979 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of ''[[One Corpse Too Many]]''. Houston had over two hundred television and film credits,<ref name=BFI /> dating back as early as 1950.<ref name=Regret>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/actor-glyn-houstons-one-regret-2186108|title=Actor Glyn Houston’s one regret|first=Karen|last=Price|date=28 April 2008|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref> Houston won a [[BAFTA]] Cymru special award in April 2008.<ref name=Regret />
Other credits included 'Peter Ridgway' in 'Colonel March of Scotland Yard' Episode 'The Stolen Crime' (1956), ''My Good Woman'' (1973–1974), ''[[A Horseman Riding By]]'' (1978), ''[[Inspector Morse (TV series)|Inspector Morse]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' and ''[[Doomwatch]]'', as well as the recurring character "Det Supt Jones" in ''[[Softly, Softly (television series)|Softly, Softly]]''. He also appeared twice as different characters in ''[[Doctor Who]]'' &mdash; as "Professor Owen Watson" in ''[[The Hand of Fear]]'' (1976)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/handoffear/detail.shtml|title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - The Hand of Fear - Details|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> and as "Colonel Ben Wolsey" in ''[[The Awakening (Doctor Who)|The Awakening]]'' (1984).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/awakening/detail.shtml|title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - The Awakening - Details|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He also played [[Brother Cadfael]] in a 1979 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of ''[[One Corpse Too Many]]''. Houston had over two hundred television and film credits,<ref name=BFI /> dating back as early as 1950.<ref name=Regret>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/actor-glyn-houstons-one-regret-2186108|title=Actor Glyn Houston’s one regret|first=Karen|last=Price|date=28 April 2008|website=Walesonline.co.uk}}</ref> Houston won a [[BAFTA]] Cymru special award in April 2008.<ref name=Regret />

A highlight of Houston's career was his appearance at the concert to celebrate the opening of the [[National Assembly for Wales]] in 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gtfm.co.uk/actor-glyn-houston-remembered|title=Glyn Houston Remembered|website=GTFM|access-date=6 July 2019}}</ref> along with other actors such as [[Ioan Gruffudd]] and [[Harry Secombe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/352124.stm|date=25 May 1999|title=Anti-royal rockers snub Welsh concert |website=BBC News|access-date=6 July 2019}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Houston was married to the actress and model Shirley Lawrence and had two children.<ref name=Review /> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/747372.stm|title=Memorial marks mining tragedies|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He released an autobiography titled ''Glyn Houston, A Black and White Actor'' in December 2009.<ref name=Autobiography />
Houston was married to the actress and model Shirley Lawrence and had two children.<ref name=Review /> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/747372.stm|title=Memorial marks mining tragedies|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He released an autobiography titled ''Glyn Houston, A Black and White Actor'' in December 2009.<ref name=Autobiography /> Houston died at the age of 93 on 30 June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2019-07-04/rhondda-born-actor-glyn-houston-dies-age-93/|title=Rhondda-born actor Glyn Houston dies age 93|website=ITV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48865972|title=Glyn Houston: Rhondda-born actor dies aged 93|website=Bbc.com|access-date=4 July 2019}}</ref>


==Selected filmography==
==Selected filmography==
Line 30: Line 34:
* ''[[The Blue Lamp]]'' (1950) - Barrow Boy (uncredited)
* ''[[The Blue Lamp]]'' (1950) - Barrow Boy (uncredited)
* ''[[Waterfront (1950 film)|Waterfront]]'' (1950) - Sailor (uncredited)
* ''[[Waterfront (1950 film)|Waterfront]]'' (1950) - Sailor (uncredited)
* ''[[Trio (film)|Trio]]'' (1950) - Ted (segment "The Verger")
* ''[[Trio (1950 film)|Trio]]'' (1950) - Ted (segment "The Verger")
* ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1950) - Lancastrian Bus Conductor (uncredited)
* ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1950) - Lancastrian Bus Conductor (uncredited)
* ''[[Home to Danger]]'' (1951) - Minor Role (uncredited)
* ''[[Home to Danger]]'' (1951) - Minor Role (uncredited)
Line 37: Line 41:
* ''[[Wide Boy (film)|Wide Boy]]'' (1952) - George
* ''[[Wide Boy (film)|Wide Boy]]'' (1952) - George
* ''[[Gift Horse (film)|The Gift Horse]]'' (1952) - Assistant Engineer (uncredited)
* ''[[Gift Horse (film)|The Gift Horse]]'' (1952) - Assistant Engineer (uncredited)
* ''Girdle of Gold'' (1952) - Dai Thomas
* ''[[Girdle of Gold]]'' (1952) - Dai Thomas
* ''[[The Great Game (1953 film)|The Great Game]]'' (1953) - Ned Rutter
* ''[[The Great Game (1953 film)|The Great Game]]'' (1953) - Ned Rutter
* ''[[The Cruel Sea (1953 film)|The Cruel Sea]]'' (1953) - Phillips
* ''[[The Cruel Sea (1953 film)|The Cruel Sea]]'' (1953) - Phillips
Line 63: Line 67:
* ''[[Breakout (1959 film)|Breakout]]'' (1959) - Man in pub (uncredited)
* ''[[Breakout (1959 film)|Breakout]]'' (1959) - Man in pub (uncredited)
* ''[[Jet Storm]]'' (1959) - Michaels
* ''[[Jet Storm]]'' (1959) - Michaels
* ''[[Four Desperate Men]]'' (1959) (aka ''Siege of Pinchgut'') - Navy Rating (uncredited)
* ''[[Follow a Star]]'' (1959) - Fred (Steam Cleaner) (uncredited)
* ''[[Follow a Star]]'' (1959) - Fred (Steam Cleaner) (uncredited)
* ''[[Sink the Bismarck!]]'' (1960) - Seaman on 'Prince of Wales' (uncredited)
* ''[[Sink the Bismarck!]]'' (1960) - Seaman on 'Prince of Wales' (uncredited)
* ''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' (1960) - 2nd Porter
* ''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' (1960) - 2nd Porter
* ''[[Circus of Horrors]]'' (1960) - Carnival Barker (uncredited)
* ''[[Circus of Horrors]]'' (1960) - Carnival Barker (uncredited)
* ''[[There Was a Crooked Man (film)|There Was a Crooked Man]]'' (1960) - Smoking Machinist
* ''[[There Was a Crooked Man (1960 film)|There Was a Crooked Man]]'' (1960) - Smoking Machinist
* ''[[The Bulldog Breed]]'' (1960) - Gym Instructor (uncredited)
* ''[[The Bulldog Breed]]'' (1960) - Gym Instructor (uncredited)
* ''[[How Green Was My Valley (1960 TV series)|How Green Was My Valley]]'' (1960, TV series) - Davy Morgan
* ''[[Mill of Secrets]]'' (1960, TV series) - Douglas Wallace
* ''[[Deadline Midnight (TV series)|Deadline Midnight]]'' (1961, TV series) - Mike Grieves
* ''[[Payroll (film)|Payroll]]'' (1961) - Frank Moore
* ''[[Payroll (film)|Payroll]]'' (1961) - Frank Moore
* ''[[The Wind of Change (film)|The Wind of Change]]'' (1961) - Det. Sgt. Parker
* ''[[The Wind of Change (film)|The Wind of Change]]'' (1961) - Det. Sgt. Parker
* ''[[The Green Helmet]]'' (1961) - Pit Manager
* ''[[The Green Helmet]]'' (1961) - Pit Manager
* ''[[Flame in the Streets]]'' (1961) - Hugh Davies
* ''[[Flame in the Streets]]'' (1961) - Hugh Davies
* ''Emergency'' (1962) - Inspector Harris
* ''[[Emergency (1962 film)|Emergency]]'' (1962) - Inspector Harris
* ''[[Mix Me a Person]]'' (1962) - Sam
* ''[[Mix Me a Person]]'' (1962) - Sam
* ''[[Solo for Sparrow]]'' (1962) - Inspector Sparrow
* ''[[Solo for Sparrow]]'' (1962) - Inspector Sparrow
* ''[[A Stitch in Time (film)|A Stitch in Time]]'' (1963) - Cpl. Welsh, St. John's Ambulance Brigade
* ''[[A Stitch in Time (1963 film)|A Stitch in Time]]'' (1963) - Cpl. Welsh, St. John's Ambulance Brigade
* ''[[Panic (1963 film)|Panic]]'' (1963) - Mike
* ''[[Panic (1963 film)|Panic]]'' (1963) - Mike
* ''[[One Way Pendulum (film)|One Way Pendulum]]'' (1965) - Detective Inspector Barnes
* ''[[One Way Pendulum (film)|One Way Pendulum]]'' (1965) - Detective Inspector Barnes
Line 86: Line 94:
* ''[[Are You Being Served? (film)|Are You Being Served?]]'' (1977) - Cesar Rodriguez
* ''[[Are You Being Served? (film)|Are You Being Served?]]'' (1977) - Cesar Rodriguez
* ''[[A Horseman Riding By]]'' (1978, TV Series) - John Rudd
* ''[[A Horseman Riding By]]'' (1978, TV Series) - John Rudd
* ''Breakaway: A Family Affair'' (1980) - Chief Superintendent Bert Sinclair (six episodes)
* ''[[The Sea Wolves]]'' (1980) - Peters
* ''[[The Sea Wolves]]'' (1980) - Peters
* ''[[If You Go Down in the Woods Today]]'' (1981) - Ticket Collector
* ''[[If You Go Down in the Woods Today]]'' (1981) - Ticket Collector
Line 94: Line 103:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:People from Rhondda]]
[[Category:People from Clydach Vale]]
[[Category:Welsh male film actors]]
[[Category:Welsh male film actors]]
[[Category:Welsh male comedians]]
[[Category:Welsh male comedians]]
[[Category:Welsh male television actors]]
[[Category:Welsh male television actors]]
[[Category:Welsh people of Scottish descent]]

Latest revision as of 15:06, 5 May 2024

Glyn Houston
Born
Glyndwr Desmond Houston

(1925-10-23)23 October 1925
Clydach Vale, Glamorgan, Wales
Died30 June 2019(2019-06-30) (aged 93)
OccupationActor
Years active1949–1996
Spouse
Shirley Lawrence
​
(m. 1956)​
Children2
FamilyDonald Houston (brother)

Glyndwr Desmond Houston (23 October 1925 – 30 June 2019) was a Welsh actor best known for his television work.[1] He was the younger brother of film actor Donald Houston.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Houston was born at 10 Thomas Street, Tonypandy, Glamorgan, Wales.[3][2] He served in the army during the Second World War, and was briefly a stand-up comedian performing for soldiers during the war.[4] He made his first film appearance in The Blue Lamp in 1950.[5]

Career

[edit]

In the 1970s Houston played Lord Peter Wimsey's valet Bunter opposite Ian Carmichael in television adaptations of several of Dorothy Sayers tales. His performance was praised in The New York Times.[6] Later, he had a role as a literary agent in the 1980s British sitcom Keep It in the Family. He appeared in a number of films including The Great Game.[7]

Other credits included 'Peter Ridgway' in 'Colonel March of Scotland Yard' Episode 'The Stolen Crime' (1956), My Good Woman (1973–1974), A Horseman Riding By (1978), Inspector Morse, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Minder and Doomwatch, as well as the recurring character "Det Supt Jones" in Softly, Softly. He also appeared twice as different characters in Doctor Who — as "Professor Owen Watson" in The Hand of Fear (1976)[8] and as "Colonel Ben Wolsey" in The Awakening (1984).[9] He also played Brother Cadfael in a 1979 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of One Corpse Too Many. Houston had over two hundred television and film credits,[2] dating back as early as 1950.[10] Houston won a BAFTA Cymru special award in April 2008.[10]

A highlight of Houston's career was his appearance at the concert to celebrate the opening of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999[11] along with other actors such as Ioan Gruffudd and Harry Secombe.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Houston was married to the actress and model Shirley Lawrence and had two children.[5] 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.[13] He released an autobiography titled Glyn Houston, A Black and White Actor in December 2009.[4] Houston died at the age of 93 on 30 June 2019.[14][15]

Selected filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Welsh Actor Glyn Houston Dies at 93". Dean Powell Public Relations. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Glyn Houston". Bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Welsh Actor Glyn Houston Dies at 93". 3 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Actor Glyn Houston opens up in new autobiography". Walesonline.co.uk. 7 December 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Actor Glyn Houston's autobiography". Walesonline.co.uk. 31 December 2009.
  6. ^ Goodman, Walter (6 May 1990). "TV VIEW; Sidekicks: Dimmer Than the Stars, Yet . . " – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ^ "Glyn Houston's book date". Walesonline.co.uk. 10 December 2009.
  8. ^ "BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - The Hand of Fear - Details". Bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - The Awakening - Details". Bbc.co.uk.
  10. ^ a b Price, Karen (28 April 2008). "Actor Glyn Houston's one regret". Walesonline.co.uk.
  11. ^ "Glyn Houston Remembered". GTFM. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Anti-royal rockers snub Welsh concert". BBC News. 25 May 1999. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  13. ^ "Memorial marks mining tragedies". News.bbc.co.uk.
  14. ^ "Rhondda-born actor Glyn Houston dies age 93". ITV News.
  15. ^ "Glyn Houston: Rhondda-born actor dies aged 93". Bbc.com. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  16. ^ "The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com.
[edit]
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