Len Deighton
- Known For
- Writing
- Born
- February 18, 1929 in London, England, UK
- Died
- March 15, 2026
- Active Years
- 1956–2023 (68 Years)
- Total Credits
- 19 credits in database
Biography
Len Deighton was a British author and thriller writer born on February 18, 1929, in London, England. Also known as Leonard Cyril Deighton, his publications included cookery books, works on history, and spy novels. His fictional work was marked by complex narrative structures, extensive research, and verisimilitude. He was best known for his 1962 novel The Ipcress File, which was turned into a film and an ITV series. Several of his works were adapted for film and radio, and he was known for writing and producing. He was married to Ysabele de Ranitz and Shirley Thompson. Len Deighton passed away on March 15, 2026.
Career overview
Leonard Cyril Deighton was a British author and thriller writer born in London, England on February 18, 1929. Known for his work as a writer and producer, his publications included cookery books, works on history, and spy novels. Deighton was best known for his 1962 novel The Ipcress File, which is widely regarded as perhaps his most famous work. His fictional writing was characterized by an air of verisimilitude, extensive research, and complex narrative structures.
Several of Deighton's works were adapted for various media, including film and radio. Among his notable screen credits were The Ipcress File in 1965, Spy Story in 1976, and SS-GB in 2017. The 1962 novel The Ipcress File was turned into a film starring Michael Caine, and was later remade as an ITV television series starring Joe Cole.
Deighton was married to Shirley Thompson and Ysabele de Ranitz. He passed away on March 15, 2026, at the age of 97, in Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
19 titles- MCAINE: An Anagram of Cinema (2023) as Self - Writer (archive footage)
- The Ipcress File (2022) Novel
- The Ipcress File (2022) Creator
- SS-GB (2017) Novel
- SS-GB (2017) Creator
- Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996) Characters
- Bullet to Beijing (1995) Characters
- Game, Set, and Match (1988) Novel
- The Case of Sherlock Holmes (1987) as Self
- Wogan (1982) as Self
- Spy Story (1976) Novel
- Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) Screenplay
- Only When I Larf (1968) Novel
- Only When I Larf (1968) Producer
- Billion Dollar Brain (1967) Novel
- Funeral in Berlin (1966) Novel
- The Ipcress File (1965) Novel
- Long Past Glory (1963) Writer
- Armchair Theatre (1956) Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Len Deighton best known for?
Len Deighton is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996), Bullet to Beijing (1995), Sometimes They Come Back... for More (1998), Wogan (1982).
When and where was Len Deighton born?
Len Deighton was born on February 18, 1929 in London, England, UK. They passed away on March 15, 2026.
How many credits does Len Deighton have?
Len Deighton has accumulated over 19 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2023.
What is Len Deighton's background in cinema and television?
Len Deighton was a British author and thriller writer born on February 18, 1929, in London, England. Also known as Leonard Cyril Deighton, his publications included cookery books, works on history, and spy novels. His fictional work was marked by complex narrative structures, extensive research, and verisimilitude. He ...
Len Deighton by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Wogan (1982) as Self — aged about 53
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