Ian Richardson
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 7, 1934 in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Died
- February 9, 2007
- Active Years
- 1951–2022 (72 Years)
- Total Credits
- 117 credits in database
Biography
Ian William Richardson was a Scottish actor born in Edinburgh on April 7, 1934, and he passed away on February 9, 2007, at the age of seventy-two. Throughout his career, he accumulated one hundred and fifteen known acting credits on the Movie Database. He became well known for his portrayal of the Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC television trilogy House of Cards, and he was also recognized as a leading Shakespearean stage actor. His notable screen work included appearances in House of Cards, To Play the King, and Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Career overview
Ian William Richardson CBE was a Scottish actor born in Edinburgh on April 7, 1934, and he passed away on February 9, 2007. Throughout his career, he amassed 115 known acting credits and became known as a leading Shakespearean stage actor.
On screen, he gained recognition for his portrayal of the Machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC television trilogy House of Cards. Additional screen projects associated with his career include the productions House of Cards, Hrát králem, and Hallmark Hall of Fame.
His life and career spanned both stage and screen work, with his contributions documented across various biographical and film database sources. He remained active in the entertainment industry until his death at the age of 72 in Battersea, London.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
117 titles- Memorial Memorial (2022) as Francis Urquhart (voice)
- Becoming Jane (2007) as Richter Langlois
- Hogfather (2007) as Death
- Hogfather (2006) as Death
- Twice Upon a Time (2006) as Lord Evelyn Gaylord
- The Booze Cruise III: The Scattering (2006) as Marcus
- Bleak House (2005) as Chancellor
- The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby (2005) as Judge
- Joyeux Noel (2005) as The Bishop
- The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt (2005) as Marcus Foster
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Conway Jefferson
- Imperium: Nero (2004) as Settimio
- Nero (2004) as Septimus
- Dæmos Rising (2004) as Narrator
- Strange (2003) as Canon Adolphus Black
- The Life of Shakespeare (2002) as self
- Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (2001) as Dr. Joseph Bell
- From Hell (2001) as Sir Charles Warren
- Sherlock Holmes' mysteries : The White Knight Stratagem (2001) as Dr. Joseph Bell
- 102 Dalmatians (2000) as Mr. Torte
- Gormenghast (2000) as Lord Groan
- 3-D Halloween (2000) as Narrator
- Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (2000) as Dr. Joseph Bell
- One Foot in Arthur's Seat (2000) as Self
- The Magician's House (1999) as Stephen Tyler
- The King and I (1999) as The Kralahome (voice)
- Dark City (1998) as Mr. Book
- Alice Through the Looking Glass (1998) as Wasp
- A Knight in Camelot (1998) as Merlin
- B.A.P.S (1997) as Manley
- The Woman In White (1997) as Mr. Fairlie
- Incognito (1997) as Turley (prosecutor)
- The Woman In White (1997) as Mr. Fairlie
- The Canterville Ghost (1997) as Simon de Canterville
- A Royal Scandal (1997) as Narrator
- The Fifth Province (1997) as Dr. Drudy
- Catherine the Great (1996) as Vorontzov
- The Treasure Seekers (1996) as Haig
- The Final Cut (1995) as Francis Urquhart
- Savage Play (1995) as Count
- A Change of Place (1994) as Henri Chambertin
- Words Upon the Window Pane (1994) as Dr. Trench
- M. Butterfly (1993) as Ambassador Toulon
- To Play the King (1993) as Francis Urquhart
- Foreign Affairs (1993) as Edwin
- Dirty Weekend (1993) as Nimrod
- Remember (1993) as Philip Rawlings
- Highlander: The Series (1992) as Max Leiner
- Year of the Comet (1992) as Sir Mason Harwood
- An Ungentlemanly Act (1992) as His Excellency, Governor Rex Hunt
- Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1991) as Polonius
- The Gravy Train Goes East (1991) as Michael Spearpoint
- Chillers (1990) as Lee Mandeville
- House of Cards (1990) as Francis Urquhart
- The Phantom of the Opera (1990) as Alain Choleti
- The Plot to Kill Hitler (1990) as Ludwig Beck
- The Gravy Train (1990) as Michael Spearpoint
- King of the Wind (1990) as Bey of Tunis
- Twist of Fate (1989) as SS-Sturmbannführer Doctor Schlossberg
- The Winslow Boy (1989) as Sir Robert Morton, KC
- Burning Secret (1988) as Edmund's Father
- Troubles (1988) as Edward Spencer
- The Fourth Protocol (1987) as Sir Nigel Irvine
- Cry Freedom (1987) as State Prosecutor
- The Devil's Disciple (1987) as General Burgoyne
- Porterhouse Blue (1987) as Sir Godber Evans
- Blunt (1987) as Anthony Blunt
- Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy (1986) as Nehru
- Whoops Apocalypse (1986) as Rear Admiral Bendish
- Screen Two (1985) as Anthony Blunt
- Brazil (1985) as Mr. Warrenn
- Theatre Night (1985) as General Burgoyne
- Monsignor Quixote (1985) as Bishop of Motopo
- Star Quality (1985) as Ray Malcolm
- Mistral's Daughter (1984) as Adrien Avigdor
- Six Centuries of Verse (1984) as Self - Reader
- The Master of Ballantrae (1984) as Mr. MacKellar
- Slimming Down (1984) as Mr. Shrigley
- Brass (1983) as Marshall Snelgrove, QC
- Number 10 (1983) as James Ramsay MacDonald
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983) as Sherlock Holmes
- The Sign of Four (1983) as Sherlock Holmes
- Salad Days (1983) as Uncle Zed
- Passing Through (1982) as Richard
- The Woman in White (1982)
- The Woman in White (1982) as Frederick Fairlie
- A Cotswold Death (1982) as Inspector Anthony Arrowsmith
- Private Schulz (1981) as Major Neuheim
- Private Schulz (1981) as Gerald Melfort
- Private Schulz (1981) as Stanley Kemp
- Gauguin the Savage (1980) as Degas
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) as Bill Haydon
- Ike (1979) as FM Sir Bernard Montgomery
- Ike (1979) as FM Sir Bernard Montgomery
- Charlie Muffin (1979) as Cuthbertson
- Churchill and the Generals (1979) as Gen. Bernard L. Montgomery
- Sorry... (1978) as Michael - 'Private View'
- Danton's Death (1978) as Robespierre
- Playhouse (1974) as Richard
- Gawain and the Green Knight (1973) as Narrator (voice)
- Man of La Mancha (1972) as The Padre
- The Darwin Adventure (1972) as Capt. Fitzroy
- Great Performances (1971) as Bishop of Motopo
- Eyeless in Gaza (1971) as Anthony Beavis
- Play for Today (1970) as Inspector Anthony Arrowsmith
- Civilisation (1969) as Hamlet
- Plays of Today (1969) as The Son
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) as Oberon
- All's Well That Ends Well (1968) as Bertram
- The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade (1967) as Jean-Paul Marat
- NET Playhouse (1966) as Antipholus of Ephesus
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Maximilien Robespierre
- Theatre 625 (1964)
- Festival (1963) as Antipholus of Ephesus
- As You Like It (1963) as Le Beau
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Mr. MacKellar
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ian Richardson best known for?
Ian Richardson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Becoming Jane (2007), Hogfather (2006), Bleak House (2005), The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby (2005).
When and where was Ian Richardson born?
Ian Richardson was born on April 7, 1934 in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. They passed away on February 9, 2007.
How many credits does Ian Richardson have?
Ian Richardson has accumulated over 117 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2022.
What is Ian Richardson's background in cinema and television?
Ian William Richardson was a Scottish actor born in Edinburgh on April 7, 1934, and he passed away on February 9, 2007, at the age of seventy-two. Throughout his career, he accumulated one hundred and fifteen known acting credits on the Movie Database. He became well known for his portrayal of the Tory politician Franc...
Ian Richardson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Troubles (1988) as Edward Spencer — aged about 54
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Mr. MacKellar — aged about 17
- The Woman in White (1982) — aged about 48
- The Woman in White (1982) as Frederick Fairlie — aged about 48
- Civilisation (1969) as Hamlet — aged about 35
- House of Cards (1990) as Francis Urquhart — aged about 56
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