Michael Williams Movies and Career Information

Michael Leonard Williams (9 July 1935 – 11 January 2001) was an English actor who played both classical and comedic roles, and was the husband of Dame Judi Dench. Born in Liverpool, he attended St. Edward's College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre. His first film appearance was in 1962, and he subsequently appeared frequently on television (notably in Elizabeth R), and in British films such as Educating Rita (1983) and (along with Dench) Henry V (1989). In the latter, in perhaps an irresistible casting decision, he played his namesake, the Shakespearean character named Michael Williams. In 1967, he played in Peter Whitehead's documentary Benefit of the Doubt on Peter Brook's anti-Vietnam play "US", along with Peter Brook and The Royal Shakespeare Company. His many radio roles included crime reporter George Cragge in In the Red and its sequels, and Dr Watson in the BBC's complete run of Sherlock Holmes adaptations. Williams provided voices for the Woodland Animations BBC Television series Charlie Chalk, created by Ivor Wood. He married Dench in 1971, the same season that they co-starred in John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. They had one daughter,