Stephen Whittaker
| Stephen Whittaker | |
|---|---|
 In The Web of Fear (1968) | |
| Born |
Stephen John Whittaker June 28, 1947 London, England, United Kingdom |
| Died |
February 7, 2003 (aged 55) London, England |
| Occupation | Actor and director |
| Years active | 1966-1985; and 1985–2004 respectively |
| Spouse(s) | Wife, Ann. |
| Children | A son and daughter |
Stephen Whittaker (28 June 1947 – 7 February 2003) was a British actor and director.[1] He worked largely in British film and television,[2] and trained as an actor at London's Corona Academy. He began his career aged 17, as a "bad boy" in the film To Sir With Love (1966), and in the classic BBC Doctor Who adventure The Web of Fear, as a soldier battling Yeti in the London Underground. [3]
In 1985 Whittaker took a director's training course, and directed a short training film which he sent to John Schlesinger (who had directed him in Yanks). Schlesinger suggested him to producer Mark Shivas as director for Channel 4's drama trilogy What If It's Raining?, written by Anthony Minghella. This was the beginning of a directing career of prestigious TV and film work. Shortly before Whittaker's death, writer Julian Fellowes spoke of him as, "the most exciting director in the industry." [4]
In 2001 he filmed his final project The Rocket Post, a romantic drama set on a remote Scottish island.[5] The film had severe funding problems, and was eventually released in 2006, three years after his death.[6] The credits bear a dedication to his memory. [7]
Director
- The Rocket Post (2004)
- Sons and Lovers (2003) (TV)
- The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) (TV)
- Dalziel and Pascoe (1 episode, 2000)- "A Sweeter Lazarus" (2000) TV episode producer Andy Rowley
- Grafters II (1999) TV mini-series
- Grafters (1998) TV mini-series (unknown episodes)
- A Life for a Life (1998) (TV)
- Stone, Scissors, Paper (1997) (TV)
- Tangier Cop (1997) ... aka Heartbreak City
- Stone Cold (1997) Producer Andy Rowley BBC Scene
- Hearts and Minds (1995) (TV)
- Killing Me Softly (1995) (TV)
- Closing Numbers (1993)
- Inspector Morse (1 episode, 1993) - "The Day of the Devil" (1993) TV episode
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1 episode, 1992) - "Death in the Clouds" (1992) TV episode
- Portrait of a Marriage (1990) (TV)
- Eurocops: Hunting the Squirrel (1988) (TV), crime drama written by Billy Hamon, starring John Benfield
- What If It's Raining (1985) (TV)
Actor
- Blott on the Landscape .... Orderly (1 episode, 1985) - Episode #1.6 (1985) TV episode .... Orderly
- The Keep (1983) .... S.S. Commando
- The Return of the Soldier (1982) ....Hostile Soldier
- Yanks (1979) .... Merchant seaman
- The Great Gundown (1977) .... Laredo
- I Escaped from Devil's Island (1973) .... Leper Count
- Bury Me an Angel (1972) (as Stephen Wittaker) .... Killer
- Strange Report .... The Office Boy (1 episode, 1969)
- Chastity (1969) .... Eddie
- Up the Junction (1968) (uncredited) .... Alf
- The Web of Fear (1968 Doctor Who serial) .... Craftsman Weams
- To Sir, with Love (1967)
- Out of the Unknown .... Harold (1 episode, 1966)
External links
References
- ↑ "Stephen Whittaker". BFI.
- ↑ "Stephen Whittaker". IMDb.
- ↑ "Doctor Who: Lost episodes Enemy Of The World and Web of Fear discovered". The Independent.
- ↑ "Obituary: Stephen Whittaker". the Guardian.
- ↑ robert-temple-1 (24 November 2006). "The Rocket Post (2004)". IMDb.
- ↑ "Film Network". BBC. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
- ↑ "Stephen Whittaker". BFI.