Frank Windsor Higgins (12 July 1928 – 30 September 2020), known professionally as Frank Windsor, was an English actor, primarily known for his roles on television, especially policeman John Watt in Z-Cars and its spin-offs.
Frank Windsor | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank Windsor Higgins[1] 12 July 1928 Walsall, Staffordshire, England |
| Died | 30 September 2020 (aged 92) London, England |
| Alma mater | Royal Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1959–2004 |
| Spouse |
Mary Corbett (m. 1959) |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editWindsor attended Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, and studied speech training and drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama, then based at the Royal Albert Hall, London.[2] He played Detective Sergeant John Watt in Z-Cars from 1962 to 1965, and thereafter its spin-offs Softly, Softly (1966–1969), Softly, Softly: Task Force (1969–1976), Jack the Ripper (1973), and Second Verdict (1976). He also returned as Watt for the final episode of Z-Cars itself in 1978.
He appeared as "Tobin" in Series 6, Episode 9 of The Avengers.
In 1969, he appeared in the pilot episode of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) in the episode "My Late Lamented Friend and Partner" as Sorrensen, a wealthy businessman with a murderous streak. His lighter side was demonstrated in the pilot episode of the situation comedy The Dustbinmen in 1968, and as Scoutfinder General in an episode of The Goodies.[3]
From 1987 to 1989, he starred in the comedy drama Flying Lady written by Brian Finch.[4] He also starred as a rather old-fashioned headmaster grappling with problems in education in Headmaster, which started as a single play in Play for Today in 1974. It was expanded into a six-part series in 1977.
He had regular roles in the BBC drama Casualty; the ITV drama Peak Practice; he played Major Charlie Grace in EastEnders (1992); appeared twice in Doctor Who; had various stage roles, and in his later years appeared in television commercials advertising life-assurance policies for people over 50.[3] He was the subject of This Is Your Life on 3 December 1975 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in East Molesey.[citation needed]
He was married to Mary Corbett from October 1959 until his death. They had two children. Windsor died at his home in London in September 2020, at the age of 92.[5][6]
Partial filmography
edit- This Sporting Life (1963) – Dentist
- The Jokers (1967) – Policeman in Court (uncredited)
- Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1968) S1,E1
- Spring and Port Wine (1969) – Ned Duckworth
- Dropout (1970)
- Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) – Bill Hodson
- Assassin (1973) – John Stacy
- Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) – Police Sergeant
- Leyland Cars – The Quality Connection (1975) – Police Officer/Commentator
- Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978) – Blodgett
- The London Connection (1979) – McGuffin
- Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981) – Fred Fennell
- Coming Out of the Ice (1982) – Sam Herman
- Doll's Eye (1982) – Restaurant Businessman
- Doctor Who – serials The King's Demons (1983) and Ghost Light (1989)
- The Shooting Party (1985) – Glass
- Revolution (1985) – Gen. Washington
- Out of Order (1987) – Traffic Warden
- All Creatures Great and Small (1989) – David Rayner in episode "Mending Fences"
- Lovejoy (1991) – Ralph Peagram in episode "Raise the Hispanic"
- EastEnders (1 episode in 1992) – Major Grace
- Midsomer Murders (1999) – George Meakham in S2:E2 "Strangler's Wood"
- Between Two Women (2000) – Mr Walker (final film role)
- Judge John Deed (2002–3) – Sir James Valentine in episodes "Abuse of Power", "Everyone's Child" and "Health Hazard"
References
edit- ^ "Frank Windsor, star of Z-Cars and Softly, Softly, dies aged 92". The Guardian. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Cole, Marion, ed. (1967). Fogie: the life of Elsie Fogerty C.B.E. London: Peter Davis.
- ^ a b Frank Windsor at IMDb
- ^ "Obituary: Brian Finch". The Guardian. 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ Saunders, Emmaline; Pike, Molly (2 October 2020). "Frank Windsor dead: EastEnders and Z-Cars legend dies at home surrounded by family". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ "Frank Windsor obituary". The Guardian. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
External links
edit- Frank Windsor at IMDb
- Frank Windsor discography at Discogs