Christopher Malcolm

{{short description|Scottish actor and producer (1946–2014)}}

{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Christopher Malcolm

| image = Christopher Malcolm.jpg

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1946|8|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Aberdeen, Scotland

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|2|15|1946|8|19|df=y}}

| death_place = London, England

| occupation = Actor, producer, director

| years_active = 1968–2011

| spouse = Judy Malcolm

| children = 3

| website =

}}

Christopher Malcolm (19 August 1946 – 15 February 2014) was a British born Canadian actor and theatrical producer. He first achieved notoriety for his role as Brad Majors in the original stage production of The Rocky Horror Show.

Early life and education

Malcolm was born in Aberdeen and was brought up in Canada after his family emigrated to British Columbia in the late 1940s. He attended the University of British Columbia, where he worked and studied theatre.

Career

After university, he returned to the UK and began his professional career with the Royal Shakespeare Company (1966–68). He appeared in at least ten productions and worked with directors including Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn and John Barton. Throughout the 1970s, he worked continuously in theatre and film, appearing in many Royal Court productions including the award-winning musical, The Rocky Horror Show creating the role of Brad Majors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-christopher-malcolm-actor-and-producer-1-3311102|title=Obituary: Christopher Malcolm, actor and producer|website=www.scotsman.com}} He appeared in films including The Empire Strikes Back (as Zev Senesca, the Alliance pilot who locates and rescues the stranded Luke Skywalker and Han Solo on planet Hoth), Reds, Ragtime, Superman III, Labyrinth, and Highlander.{{cite news|title=Christopher Malcolm, Rocky Horror's Brad, dies aged 67|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26240620|accessdate=16 March 2016|publisher=BBC News|date=18 February 2014}}

In 1978, Malcolm began his producing career with Pal Joey, which was successfully transferred to the West End in 1980 and was nominated for best Musical Revival in the Laurence Olivier Awards. He followed this success with the Best Comedy award in 1981 for Nell Dunn's Steaming, which went on to play for two years at the Comedy Theatre and around the world.{{Cite web|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1981/|title=Olivier Winners 1981|website=Olivier Awards}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/christopher-malcolm-24485|title=Christopher Malcolm – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com}} Other productions in London included Frankie and Johnny, When I Was A Young Girl I Used To Scream And Shout, as well as five Steven Berkoff plays, including Decadence, Greek and Metamorphosis.{{cite web|author1=Michael Coveney|title=Christopher Malcolm obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/feb/17/christopher-malcolm|website=The Guardian|accessdate=16 March 2016|date=17 February 2014}} in 1983 he appeared in Only Fools and Horses as axe murderer Charles Winters. Malcolm also played the role of the café owner in The Comic Strip's 1984 film "A Fistful of Traveller's Cheques".{{Cite web|url=https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=10937|title=Christopher Malcolm|website=www.aveleyman.com}}

In 1990, Malcolm co-produced a new production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Piccadilly Theatre, in partnership with Howard Panter of the Ambassador Theatre Group.{{cite news|author1=Jenn Selby|title=Christopher Malcolm dead: Tributes flood in for late Star Wars and Rocky Horror Show actor, who died aged 67|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/christopher-malcolm-dead-tributes-flood-in-for-late-star-wars-and-rocky-horror-show-actor-who-died-9136659.html|website=independent.co.uk|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=16 March 2016|date=18 February 2014}} This Olivier nominated production went on to huge success throughout the UK, enjoying 4 nationwide tours over the next 10 years as well as many productions throughout the world. He oversaw these productions on behalf of The Rocky Horror Company Ltd, a company formed by the producers and the play's author Richard O'Brien to look after this much loved musical.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-organization/the-rocky-horror-company-ltd-75701|title=The Rocky Horror Company, Ltd. – Broadway Organization | IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com}} The show finally reached Broadway in 2000 in a Tony Award-nominated production co-produced with Jordan Roth Productions at the Circle in the Square theatre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-rocky-horror-show-12547#Awards|title=The Rocky Horror Show – Broadway Musical – 2000 Revival | IBDB}}

Other British productions throughout this time include The Pajama Game, Footloose the Musical, and the award-winning Single Spies written by Alan Bennett which had a very successful year at the Queen's Theatre. He co-produced the world premiere of Flashdance The Musical which premiered at the Plymouth Theatre Royal in 2008, toured the UK and presented at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2010. The final show he produced was 'Oh! What a Lovely War!' at Stratford East which was directed by Terry Johnson and opened in January 2014 to critical acclaim. He had maintained his interest in acting as well, appearing on 11 episodes of Absolutely Fabulous as Saffy's father, Justin, and in the BBC2 film, Daphne as Nelson Doubleday.{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/578989/credits.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2003) Credits|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/Daphne/295538/|title=Daphne (2007)|via=www.blu-ray.com}}

Personal life

Malcolm lived in London with his wife Judy Lloyd, an actress. They had three children, Nell, Morgan, and Marlon.

His daughter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm reported his death from cancer, aged 67, on 15 February 2014, via Twitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebeardedtrio.com/2014/02/christopher-malcolm-from-empire-strikes.html |title=Christopher Malcolm From The Empire Strikes Back & Labyrinth Dies Age 67 |publisher=The Bearded Trio |date=16 February 2014 |accessdate=21 December 2016}}

Filmography

= Film =

class="wikitable"
YearTitleRoleNotes{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
1968A Midsummer Night's DreamAttendant
1969The DesperadosGregg
1970Figures in a LandscapeHelicopter observer
1971Welcome to the ClubPvt. Henry Hoe
1972The Adventures of Barry McKenzieSean
1975The Spiral StaircasePoliceman
1977The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know ItThe Other CIA Man
1978Force 10 from NavaroneRogers
1979The Great Riviera Bank RobberySerge
rowspan="2"| 1980

| The Empire Strikes Back

Zev Senesca (Rogue 2)
The Dogs of WarBaker
rowspan="3"| 1981

| Shock Treatment

Vance Parker
RagtimePolice Captain No. 2
RedsC.L.P. Party member
1983Superman III1st Miner
1984LassiterQuaid
rowspan="3"| 1985

| King David

Doeg
Rustlers' RhapsodyJud
Spies Like UsJumpmaster
rowspan="2"| 1986

| Highlander

Kirk Matunas
LabyrinthRobert
1987Eat the RichSteinbeck
1988Whoops ApocalypseGallagher

= Television =

class="wikitable"
YearTitleRoleNotes{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
1969Strange ReportSlaon1 episode, "Report 3906: Cover Girls - Last Year's Model"
rowspan="2"| 1971

| ITV Playhouse

The first officer1 episode "The Switch"
JusticeFarrer1 episode "People Have Too Many Rights"
1972The ProtectorsMalloy1 episode, "Disappearing Trick"
rowspan="2"| 1973

| Diamonds on Wheels

JockTelevision Movie
Harriet's Back in TownBenjamin Finch2 episodes
1974DisneylandJock3 episodes, "Diamonds on Wheels"
rowspan="3"| 1975

| Thriller

Hank1 episode, "Won't Write Home Mom – I'm Dead"
Edward the SeventhAmerican Attaché1 episode, "The New World"
It's a Lovely Day TomorrowThe YankTelevision Movie
1976Second VerdictMullaly1 episode, "Lizzie Borden"
1977RafflesBarney Maguire1 episode, "A Trap to "Catch a Cracksman"
rowspan="2"| 1980

| Play for Today

Matt1 episode, "Instant Enlightenment Including VAT"
OppenheimerSteve Nelson2 episodes
rowspan="3"| 1982

| Whoops Apocalypse

Motorcycle Cop1 episode, "How To Get Rid of It"
We'll Meet Again Master Sgt. Mac McGraw10 episodes
Beau GesteHank5 episodes
rowspan="2"| 1983

| The Last Day

American at AirportTelevision Movie
Only Fools and HorsesCharles Winters, the Axe Murderer1 episode, Friday the 14th
1984–1990The Comic StripBrother-in-law, Cafe Owner2 episodes{{cite web|author1=Mark Newbold|title=Christopher Malcolm dies aged 67: Remembering the Empire Strikes Back actor|url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/18/christopher-malcolm-dies-aged-67-remembering-the-empire-strikes-back-actor-4307821/|website=metro.co.uk|publisher=Metro|accessdate=6 May 2016|date=18 February 2014}}
rowspan="3"| 1986

| The Daily Woman

Max CallisherTelevision Movie
The Last Days of PattonMaj. Ken Morgan (Hospital PAO)Television Movie
The Ted Kennedy Jr. StoryBen GibbsTelevision Movie
1987PulaskiTony1 episode, "The Lone Granger"
1988War and RemembranceBunky Thurston2 episodes
1992–1994Firm FriendsEddie Vincent2 episodes
1992–2011Absolutely FabulousJustin11 episodes (final appearance)
1994LovejoyTexas Greenberg1 episode
1996Over HereMurphyTelevision Movie
2007DaphneNelson DoubledayTelevision Movie{{cite web |title=Daphne (2007) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1193665-daphne |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}

References

{{Reflist}}