Denis Lill
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 22, 1942 in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
- Active Years
- 1951–2025 (75 Years)
- Total Credits
- 94 credits in database
Biography
Subject: Denis Lill (Acting).
Goal: Write a 90-130 word factual identity profile.
Constraints: Use only provided facts. No invention. No markdown. No headings. No bullet points. No preamble. No JSON. No surrounding quotes. Plain prose only.
Source Material:
TMDB Bio: "Denis Lill is a New Zealand born British based actor who is best known for the TV series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses and The Royal."
TMDB Data: Known For: Acting. Known Credits: 92. Gender: Male. Birthday: April 22, 1942 (84 years old). Place of Birth: Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
Name: Denis Lill.
Profession: Actor.
Origin: Born in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
Current/Base: British based.
Known for: TV series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal.
Gender: Male.
Birthday: April 22, 1942.
Age: 84 years old.
Known Credits: 92.
Denis Lill is a male actor who was born in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. He is a British based actor. He was born on April 22, 1942, and is 84 years old. He is best known for his work on the television series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal. According to The Movie Database, he has 92 known credits in the acting field.
"Denis Lill is a male actor who was born in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. He is a British based actor. He was born on April 22, 1942, and is 84 years old. He is best known for his work on the television series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal. According to The Movie Database, he has 92 known credits in the acting field."
Word count check:
1. Denis
2. Lill
3. is
4. a
5. male
Career overview
Subject: Denis Lill (Acting).
Goal: Write a 180-260 word career overview.
Constraints:
Use ONLY verifiable facts from the provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES.
No invented titles, names, dates, awards, etc.
Original, neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
No preamble or JSON.
Word count: 180-260 words.
Structure: 2-3 short paragraphs.
Name: Denis Lill.
Origin: New Zealand born, British based.
Place of Birth: Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
Birthday: April 22, 1942.
Known For: TV series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal.
Known Credits: 92.
Gender: Male.
Paragraph 1: Background and Identity.
Denis Lill is a male actor who was born in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. He was born on April 22, 1942. While he is originally from New Zealand, he is currently British based.
Paragraph 2: Career and Credits.
In his career as an actor, Lill has accumulated 92 known credits. He is best known for his work on several television series. These notable television productions include Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal.
Current Word Count Check:
"Denis Lill is a male actor who was born in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. He was born on April 22, 1942. While he is originally from New Zealand, he is currently British based. In his career as an actor, Lill has accumulated 92 known credits. He is best known for his work on several television series. These notable television productions include Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal."
Count: ~75 words.
Problem: The prompt requires 180-260 words. The source material is extremely sparse.
Constraint Check: "Use ONLY facts present above. Do not invent roles, dates, awards, relationships or personal details."
Conflict: I cannot reach 180 words without inventing information, which is strictly forbidden by the primary instruction ("You write ONLY verifiable facts that are explicitly supported by the provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES").
Strategy: I must expand the existing facts using neutral, encyclopedic phrasing without adding new information. However, even with heavy expansion, there aren't enough facts to hit 180 words.
Facts available:
1. Name: Denis Lill.
2. Gender: Male.
3. Birthday: April 22, 1942.
4. Place of Birth: Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
5. Origin: New Zealand born.
6. Base: British based.
7. Known for: Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, The Royal.
8. Total credits: 92.
Drafting attempt 2 (trying to be verbose with existing facts):
Denis Lill is a male actor who was born in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. His date of birth is recorded as April 22, 1942. Although he was born in New Zealand, he is a British based actor.
Throughout his career in the acting profession, Lill has earned 92 known credits. He is recognized for his roles in various television series. His most notable work includes appearances in the television series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses, and The Royal.
Word Count Check: ~85 words.
Critical Analysis: If I follow the "Use ONLY facts present" rule, I cannot reach 180 words. If I follow the "
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Denis Lill.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
94 titles- The Salt Path (2025) as Dog Walker
- Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators (2018) as Eddie Dogberry
- The Royal (2003) as Mr. Rose
- Never Say Never Mind (2003)
- Bertie and Elizabeth (2002) as Clement Attlee
- 24 (2001) as Captain of the Letitcia
- CI5: The New Professionals (1999)
- What Rats Won't Do (1998)
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Simeon Rowling
- Fierce Creatures (1997) as Woman's Husband
- Rebecca (1997) as Giles
- Mrs. Dalloway (1997) as Doctor Holmes
- The Untransmittable Lily Savage Show (1997) as Colonel Dunbar
- Element of Doubt (1996) as Simon
- Richard III (1995) as Lord Mayor
- Outside Edge (1994) as Dennis Broadley
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994) as Inspector Bradstreet
- In The Cold Light Of Day (1994) as Mr. Loveless
- Red Dwarf: Smeg Ups (1994) as Simulant Captain
- Frank Stubbs Promotes (1993) as Cyril
- Don't Leave Me This Way (1993) as Steve Fleming
- Heartbeat (1992)
- Highlander: The Series (1992) as Alan Baines
- The Darling Buds of May (1991) as Inspector Jefferies
- Bernard and the Genie (1991) as Frank Kepple
- The Upper Hand (1990) as The Aussie
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Sir Reuben
- Batman (1989) as Bob the Cartoonist
- Stay Lucky (1989) as Blake
- Summer's Lease (1989)
- Summer's Lease (1989) as Ken Corduroy
- A Beginners Guide to Freud (1989) as Joseph Bretter
- Red Dwarf (1988) as Simulant Captain / Death
- Hannay (1988)
- The Fear (1988) as George Klein
- Salome's Last Dance (1988) as Tigellenus / Chilvers
- Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988) as Beadle
- Casualty (1986) as Tom Porter
- Casualty (1986) as Walter Fisher
- Yes, Prime Minister (1986)
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986) as Inspector Bradstreet
- Mapp & Lucia (1985) as Major Benjamin 'Benjy' Flint
- The Innocent (1985) as Doctor
- Arthur the King (1985) as King Pellinore
- Florence Nightingale (1985) as Dr. Howe
- Sherlock Holmes (1984) as Inspector Bradstreet
- Mr. Palfrey of Westminster (1984) as Stefan Horvath
- Charlie (1984) as James Grant
- Doctor Who: The Awakening (1984) as Sir George Hutchinson
- Blackadder (1983) as Sir Talbot Buxomly
- Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983) as D'Arcy
- Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime (1983)
- China Rose (1983) as Supt. George
- American Playhouse (1982) as Inspector Hodgson
- The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) as Count de Tournay
- Bad Blood (1982) as Ted Best
- Bergerac (1981) as George Marshall
- Only Fools and Horses (1981) as Alan Parry
- Peter and Paul (1981) as James I
- Hedda Gabler (1981) as George Tesmen
- The Journal of Bridget Hitler (1981) as Alois Hitler
- Terry and June (1979) as Inspector Gammage
- Screenplay (1979) as Martin Cathcar
- Lillie (1978) as King Edward VII
- Lillie (1978) as Prince of Wales / 'Bertie'
- Full Circle (1978) as Doctor
- The Professionals (1977) as Josef Merhart
- The Upchat Line (1977) as Oliver
- Doctor Who: Image of the Fendahl (1977) as Dr. Fendelman
- The Eagle Has Landed (1976) as Churchill's aide
- Rumpole of the Bailey (1975) as Mr. Bernard
- Angels (1975)
- Survivors (1975) as Charles Vaughan
- Madame Bovary (1975) as Rodolphe Boulanger
- Playhouse (1974) as Alois Hitler
- Churchill's People (1974) as Lord Moleyns
- Fall of Eagles (1974) as 'Fritz', Prince Frederick William
- The Gathering Storm (1974) as George VI
- The Case of Eliza Armstrong (1974) as William Thomas Stead
- Who Killed Lamb? (1974) as Sgt. Beck
- Warship (1973)
- Crown Court (1972)
- Crown Court (1972) as Rick Gray
- Crown Court (1972) as Nigel Winterbourne
- Van der Valk (1972) as Van Houten
- Van der Valk (1972) as Roberts
- The Regiment (1972) as Alfred Slingsby
- Dead of Night (1972) as Froggat
- The Train Now Standing (1972) as Mr. Potts
- The Main Chance (1969) as Stephen Howard
- Doctor Who (1963) as Sir George Hutchinson
- Doctor Who (1963) as Dr. Fendelman
- Z-Cars (1962)
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as George VI
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Denis Lill best known for?
Denis Lill is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Salt Path (2025), Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators (2018), Mr. Holland's Opus (1995), 24 (2001).
When and where was Denis Lill born?
Denis Lill was born on April 22, 1942 in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
How many credits does Denis Lill have?
Denis Lill has accumulated over 94 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2025.
What is Denis Lill's background in cinema and television?
Subject: Denis Lill (Acting). Goal: Write a 90-130 word factual identity profile. Constraints: Use only provided facts. No invention. No markdown. No headings. No bullet points. No preamble. No JSON. No surrounding quotes. Plain prose only. Source Material: TMDB Bio: "Denis Lill is a New Zealand born British based acto...
Denis Lill by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986) as Inspector Bradstreet — aged about 44
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as George VI — aged about 9
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994) as Inspector Bradstreet — aged about 52
- Yes, Prime Minister (1986) — aged about 44
- Lillie (1978) as King Edward VII — aged about 36
- Lillie (1978) as Prince of Wales / 'Bertie' — aged about 36
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Denis Lill.