Biography

Dudley Sutton

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Dudley Sutton was born on April 6, 1933 in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor and director, known for The Football Factory (2004), Cockneys vs Zombies (2012) and The Devils (1971). He was married to Marjorie Steele and Joan D Walker. He died on September 15, 2018 in Clapham, London, England, UK.

Career went into a decline in the late 60s due to an alcohol problem. He recovered and reignited his career in Ken Russell's surreal horror film The Devils (1971).
Edgy, pale-skinned, eclectic Brit character actor who had an affinity for eccentric behavior. Originally with the avant-garde, experimental theater group Theatre Workshop Company, he became a cult item with the ground-breaking gay film The Leather Boys (1964) in which he played a gay biker. Also known for his tough blokes and offbeat villainy on TV.
Served with the RAF as a mechanic for 4 years before he went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for classical training.
Along with Freddie Jones, he is one of only two actors to appear in both the ITV cult classic series My Partner the Ghost (1969) and its BBC remake Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000).
His 60s ex-wife, actress Marjorie Steele was previously married to heir and millionaire producer Huntington Hartford.

I love playing with words. I think all my life what I'm unconsciously doing is struggling against respectability. That is my bete noire, my raison d'etre or whatever the f*** you call it.
Acting, for me, has always been a reaction -- a neurotic reaction to life. When life gets too puzzling I start acting.
It was the breakthrough moment for me but it wasn't shown very widely because it had a homosexual theme to it. It was a risky part to take, but then I was very political and, although I am not gay myself, I really did care about the trouble my gay friends were having. People were being put in prison, beaten up, blackmailed, so when that job came up I thought, 'I'm going to play it as a man who is in love, not a flapping, limp-wristed camp thing that everyone can laugh at.' - DS - discussing his gay role in the ground-breaking film The Leather Boys (1964).

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