Bedford, Brian, 1935–2016, English actor, b. Morley, Yorkshire; studied Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. During his long career, Bedford, who was adept at both tragedy and comedy, performed on stage in England, Canada, and the United States. He was particularly known for his performances of Shakespeare's works, including more than 50 productions at England's Stratford Festival, where he also directed numerous plays. Notable among the many other plays in which he appeared were Five Finger Exercise (1958, New York debut), The Knack (1964), The Misanthrope (1969), Private Lives (1969), Hamlet (1970), School for Wives (1972; Tony Award), Jumpers (1974), a Shakespearean one-man show entitled The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet (1990), London Assurance (1997), and The Importance of Being Earnest (2011), which he directed as well. He also appeared in a few films, including The Pad (1966), Grand Prix (1967), Robin Hood (1973), Scarlett (1994), and Nixon (1995), and occasionally performed on television.
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