Clive Swift ("Keeping Up Appearances") 1936-2019 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-01-2019, 01:51 PM

Link

Actor Clive Swift has died aged 82.

The star was best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket’s long-suffering husband Richard in the classic sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

He played the role opposite Dame Patricia Routledge from 1990 to 1995, and appeared in 42 episodes of the show.

A representative for the actor confirmed to Standard Online: "After a short illness Clive died peacefully at home this morning surrounded by his family."

Born in Liverpool in 1936, he read English literature at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he participated in student theatre along with the likes of Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen and the novelist Margaret Drabble, who he married in 1960.

Before finding success on the small screen, he was a respected theatre star as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and earned plaudits for his turns in Cymbeline, All's Well That Ends Well and the history plays.

His other credits included parts in adaptations of The Barcester Chronicles and The Pickwick Papers, the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special and the series Born and Bred, Peak Practice and The Old Guys. He took the role of Sir Ector, the adoptive father of King Arthur in the 1981 film Excalibur.

Swift was married to Drabble from 1960 to 1975, and was father to Rebecca (who died in April 2017), Adam, an academic at University College London, and Joe Swift, a TV gardener.

Steve_uk · 02-01-2019, 04:29 PM

He will best be remembered for playing the long-suffering husband of Hyacinth Bucket, played by Patricia Routledge. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47095343

Zoneboy · 02-01-2019, 06:45 PM

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=379318

PhoenixAcres · 02-01-2019, 09:35 PM

Rest in peace

80sTrivia · 02-01-2019, 09:55 PM

Old Richard Bucket is finally getting some peace from Hyacinth...

So long, Clive... you will be dearly, dearly missed...

MA · 02-02-2019, 06:14 AM

Rest In Peace.

JSP · 02-02-2019, 11:30 AM

I loved that show. R.I.P.

Little_stinker · 02-02-2019, 12:23 PM

Who would guessed that he was that much younger than her?

Steve_uk · 02-02-2019, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little_stinker

Who would guessed that he was that much younger than her?

Yes he didn't look seven years her junior. He also had a very impressive education. An understated character.

visaman666 · 02-02-2019, 08:10 PM

"Mind the pavement Richard."

Alex Cooper · 02-03-2019, 09:57 PM

Poor Richard. He shall be missed and remembered for the joy he brought as long-suffering Richard Bucket.

Willbo · 02-04-2019, 05:52 PM

Clive Swift was so good as Richard. When he found out he was going to have to take early retirement no one could have played it better than Clive. Keeping Up Appearances is my favorite Britcom and Clive was a big reason for that. RIP. Great actor.

RKORadio · 02-07-2019, 12:07 PM

FYI his brother was David Swift who played Henry Davenport on "Drop the Dead Donkey".

LeeBlue · 03-06-2019, 10:41 AM

This is one of my favorite comedies -- not just Britcoms.

The cast was wonderful -- Clive Swift was perfect.

Rest In Peace.

Hazel Anyday · 03-12-2020, 10:45 PM

Clive Swift was also very funny in the more recent sitcom, OLD GUYS. It featured him and another old guy who both moved in together to keep costs down. They both had a crush on the still attractive Jane Asher, she of Beatle girlfriend fame. I forget whether she was original John or Paul's gal. (Maybe both.) Anyway my local PBS station played it once and only once but luckily I caught it and recorded and I've been watching it again for the past several weeks. Funny show though sometimes it gets sickeningly PC.

02-01-2019, 01:51 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: 34,406	Clive Swift ("Keeping Up Appearances") 1936-2019 Link Actor Clive Swift has died aged 82. The star was best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket’s long-suffering husband Richard in the classic sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. He played the role opposite Dame Patricia Routledge from 1990 to 1995, and appeared in 42 episodes of the show. A representative for the actor confirmed to Standard Online: "After a short illness Clive died peacefully at home this morning surrounded by his family." Born in Liverpool in 1936, he read English literature at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he participated in student theatre along with the likes of Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen and the novelist Margaret Drabble, who he married in 1960. Before finding success on the small screen, he was a respected theatre star as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and earned plaudits for his turns in Cymbeline, All's Well That Ends Well and the history plays. His other credits included parts in adaptations of The Barcester Chronicles and The Pickwick Papers, the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special and the series Born and Bred, Peak Practice and The Old Guys. He took the role of Sir Ector, the adoptive father of King Arthur in the 1981 film Excalibur. Swift was married to Drabble from 1960 to 1975, and was father to Rebecca (who died in April 2017), Adam, an academic at University College London, and Joe Swift, a TV gardener.

02-01-2019, 04:29 PM	#2
Steve_uk Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 29, 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 5,803	Clive Swift, 1937-2019 He will best be remembered for playing the long-suffering husband of Hyacinth Bucket, played by Patricia Routledge. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47095343

02-01-2019, 09:55 PM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Old Richard Bucket is finally getting some peace from Hyacinth... So long, Clive... you will be dearly, dearly missed...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

02-02-2019, 06:14 AM	#6
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,621	Rest In Peace.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

02-03-2019, 09:57 PM	#11
Alex Cooper Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 16, 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,705	Poor Richard. He shall be missed and remembered for the joy he brought as long-suffering Richard Bucket.
	__________________ "...You don't become a Misfit. You're either born a Misfit, or you're not." Phyllis "Pizzazz" Gabor

02-01-2019, 06:45 PM	#3
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: 34,406	http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=379318

02-01-2019, 09:35 PM	#4
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Rest in peace

02-02-2019, 11:30 AM	#7
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	I loved that show. R.I.P.

02-02-2019, 12:23 PM	#8
Little_stinker Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 315	Who would guessed that he was that much younger than her?

02-02-2019, 08:10 PM	#10
visaman666 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 818	"Mind the pavement Richard."

02-04-2019, 05:52 PM	#12
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 863	Clive Swift was so good as Richard. When he found out he was going to have to take early retirement no one could have played it better than Clive. Keeping Up Appearances is my favorite Britcom and Clive was a big reason for that. RIP. Great actor.

02-07-2019, 12:07 PM	#13
RKORadio Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2001 Posts: 44	FYI his brother was David Swift who played Henry Davenport on "Drop the Dead Donkey".

03-06-2019, 10:41 AM	#14
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	Clive Swift("Keeping Up Appearances") 1936-2019 This is one of my favorite comedies -- not just Britcoms. The cast was wonderful -- Clive Swift was perfect. Rest In Peace.

03-12-2020, 10:45 PM	#15
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Clive Was More Than Richard, he was Old Guy 1 Clive Swift was also very funny in the more recent sitcom, OLD GUYS. It featured him and another old guy who both moved in together to keep costs down. They both had a crush on the still attractive Jane Asher, she of Beatle girlfriend fame. I forget whether she was original John or Paul's gal. (Maybe both.) Anyway my local PBS station played it once and only once but luckily I caught it and recorded and I've been watching it again for the past several weeks. Funny show though sometimes it gets sickeningly PC.
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!