David Spenser
David Spenser (born David De Saram: 12 March 1934 – 20 July 2013)[1] was a Sri Lankan-born British actor, director, producer and writer. Spenser played the title role in a 1948 radio production of Richmal Crompton's Just William, and also appeared in popular films and TV series including Doctor Who.[2][3] His documentary about Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies won an International Emmy Award. He was the elder brother of actor Jeremy Spenser.
David Spenser | |
|---|---|
| Born | David De Saram 12 March 1934 |
| Died | 20 July 2013 (aged 79) |
| Occupation | Actor, television producer, radio producer |
| Years active | 1945 – 1972 |
| Partner(s) | Victor Pemberton (?–his death 2013) |
| Relatives | Jeremy Spenser (brother) |
Aged 11 he appeared in plays on BBC radio's Children's Hour. He was cast in Just William by the author of the books, Richmal Crompton.[2]
He played Harry in the first production of Benjamin Britten's opera Albert Herring.
Spenser was a regular on television, with appearances in episodes of Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green, and The Saint.[2] In 1967 Spenser appeared as Thonmi in the Doctor Who serial The Abominable Snowmen alongside the second doctor, Patrick Troughton.[2] Spenser later worked as a radio producer for the BBC. He produced several radio plays including Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now in 1988, and Christopher Isherwood's Mr Norris Changes Trains in 1984.[2]
Spenser wrote a historical drama about the Egyptian pharaoh Akhnaton, The City of the Horizon. It was broadcast in 1972 and 1976.[2] Spenser subsequently produced documentaries about figures such as Benny Hill, Angus Wilson, Dodie Smith and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies.
He was survived by his brother, and by his partner Victor Pemberton.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Conflict of Wings | Corporal, Flying Control | |
| 1959 | The Stranglers of Bombay | Gopali Das | Uncredited |
| 1962 | Play It Cool | Reporter #1 | Uncredited |
| 1962 | In Search of the Castaways | South American Guide | |
| 1964 | The Earth Dies Screaming | Mel | |
| 1967 | Battle Beneath the Earth | Maj. Chai | |
| 1967 | Some May Live | Inspector Sung | |
| 1968 | Carry On... Up the Khyber | Bungdit Din's servant |
References
- John Tydeman David Spenser obituary, The Guardian, 1 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013
- "Original Just William radio star David Spenser dies aged 79". BBC News Online. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- BFI.org
