Actor Keith Michell (Dennis Stanton) 1926-2015 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-20-2015, 08:10 PM

Keith Michell, Star of 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII,' Dies at 89

The Australian actor later played insurance-claims investigator Dennis Stanton, a former jewel thief, on 'Murder, She Wrote.'

Link

Keith Michell, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of the 16th century King of England in the acclaimed 1970 miniseries The Six Wives of Henry VIII, has died. He was 89.

A veteran of the stage, Michell died Friday at his home in the Hampstead area of London, his family told the Chichester Observer.

From 1974-77, the Australian-born Michell served as artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre in a post once occupied by Laurence Olivier.

“Keith was amongst the first company of actors to perform at the theater in its inaugural season, when he appeared in the opening production of The Chances in 1962,” Jonathan Church, current Chichester artistic director, said in a statement. “He went on to have a very long and happy association with the theatre, including his artistic directorship and performances in Cyrano de Bergerac (1974) and Monsieur Amilcar (1995).”

The BBC’s Six Wives of Henry VIII, which later aired in the U.S. on CBS and PBS, devoted an episode to each of the king’s six spouses. Michell then returned to play the monarch in the feature Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972) and in the 1996 U.K. telefilm The Prince and the Pauper.

His film résumé also includes Dangerous Exile (1958), The Hell Fire Club (1961), All Night Long (1962), Seven Seas to Calais (1962) and The Executioner (1970), and he recurred as Dennis Stanton, a jewel thief turned insurance-claims investigator, on CBS’ Murder, She Wrote.

Born in Adelaide, Michell came to Britain in 1949 and soon became a member of the Young Vic Theatre Company, and years performing on London stages followed. He made his Broadway debut in a 1963 production of the musical comedy Irma La Douce (future Munsters star Fred Gwynne also was in the cast).

In the 1980s, Michell sang “Captain Beaky,” a hit in the U.K.

Survivors include his wife, actress Jeanette Sterke, whom he married in 1956.

Zoneboy · 11-20-2015, 08:23 PM

Steve_uk · 11-20-2015, 08:35 PM

Some people will do anything for money,won't they? As for Murder She Wrote, didn't the character drop onto Jessica's balcony and proposition her in the bedroom? I can't recall another occasion it ever happened to her.

11-20-2015, 08:10 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Actor Keith Michell (Dennis Stanton) 1926-2015 Keith Michell, Star of 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII,' Dies at 89 The Australian actor later played insurance-claims investigator Dennis Stanton, a former jewel thief, on 'Murder, She Wrote.' Link Keith Michell, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of the 16th century King of England in the acclaimed 1970 miniseries The Six Wives of Henry VIII, has died. He was 89. A veteran of the stage, Michell died Friday at his home in the Hampstead area of London, his family told the Chichester Observer. From 1974-77, the Australian-born Michell served as artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre in a post once occupied by Laurence Olivier. “Keith was amongst the first company of actors to perform at the theater in its inaugural season, when he appeared in the opening production of The Chances in 1962,” Jonathan Church, current Chichester artistic director, said in a statement. “He went on to have a very long and happy association with the theatre, including his artistic directorship and performances in Cyrano de Bergerac (1974) and Monsieur Amilcar (1995).” The BBC’s Six Wives of Henry VIII, which later aired in the U.S. on CBS and PBS, devoted an episode to each of the king’s six spouses. Michell then returned to play the monarch in the feature Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972) and in the 1996 U.K. telefilm The Prince and the Pauper. His film résumé also includes Dangerous Exile (1958), The Hell Fire Club (1961), All Night Long (1962), Seven Seas to Calais (1962) and The Executioner (1970), and he recurred as Dennis Stanton, a jewel thief turned insurance-claims investigator, on CBS’ Murder, She Wrote. Born in Adelaide, Michell came to Britain in 1949 and soon became a member of the Young Vic Theatre Company, and years performing on London stages followed. He made his Broadway debut in a 1963 production of the musical comedy Irma La Douce (future Munsters star Fred Gwynne also was in the cast). In the 1980s, Michell sang “Captain Beaky,” a hit in the U.K. Survivors include his wife, actress Jeanette Sterke, whom he married in 1956.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 11-20-2015 at 08:42 PM.

11-20-2015, 08:23 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338

11-20-2015, 08:35 PM	#3
Steve_uk Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 29, 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 5,803	Some people will do anything for money,won't they? As for Murder She Wrote, didn't the character drop onto Jessica's balcony and proposition her in the bedroom? I can't recall another occasion it ever happened to her.