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Michael Culver

Michael John Edward Culver (16 June 1938 – 27 February 2024) was a British actor.[1][2] He played Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back.[3][4]

Michael Culver
Culver in 2011
Born
Michael John Edward Culver

(1938-06-16)16 June 1938
Hampstead, London, England
Died27 February 2024(2024-02-27) (aged 85)
OccupationActor
Years active1956–2024
Spouses
Lucinda Curtis
​
​
(m. 1962; div. 1986)​
Amanda Ward
​
(m. 2004)​

Personal life

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Michael John Edward Culver was born on 16 June 1938 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. He was the son of actor Roland Culver and casting director Daphne Rye.[5] He was educated at Gresham's School and trained at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[6] His birth name was Michael John Edward Culver.

Culver was twice married. In 1962, he married actress Lucinda Curtis and divorced in 1986. He married sculptor Amanda Ward in 2004.[6] With Lucinda Curtis he had 3 children.

Culver died on 27 February 2024, at the age of 85.[6][3]

Actor

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Culver's aunt, father, mother and brother all had theatrical careers. Culver gained experience at the Old Vic, Dundee Rep (performing in 35 plays in 2 years) and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[6]

Culver appeared in several television series in recurring roles, as Squire Armstrong in The Adventures of Black Beauty (1972–74), Major Erwin Brandt in the BBC drama Secret Army (1977–78), crooked banker Ralph Saroyan in the second series of The House of Eliott (1992) and the strict Prior Robert ('Brother Prior') in Cadfael (1994–98).[6]

His guest roles included an episode of The Sweeney as Dave Leeford (episode Money, Money, Money; 1978), The Professionals (1982) as Lawson, Minder as DS Chisholm's temporary replacement DS Soames (episode Poetic Justice, Innit?; 1982), Miss Marple "The Moving Finger" (1985) as Edward Symmington and as Sir Reginald Musgrave, in the episode "The Musgrave Ritual" (1986) in the Granada Television series The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

Culver appeared in two uncredited roles in James Bond films. In From Russia With Love (1963), he played a man in a punt[7] which was followed as the co-pilot of Avro Vulcan, (Callsign Ramjet MBX-79), in Thunderball (1965).[4] Other film roles are Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back (1980)[6][4] and also a major part in A Passage to India (1984)[4] as a bigoted police inspector. In 2008, he appeared in a guest role in Sidetracked, the first episode of Wallander. Culver was in the first ever episode of New Tricks in 2003 as a corrupt dinosaur detective.[8]

Culver performed in three of Tricycle Theatre’s Tribunal Plays: Nuremberg (A distillation of the 1945–46 Nuremberg trials – of leading Nazi war criminals); Half the Picture (From transcripts from the Scott Inquiry into Arms-to-Iraq – the first play to be performed in the Palace of Westminster.) and The Colour of Justice (The dramatisation of the evidence given during Sir William Macpherson’s inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, his family's search for justice and endemic racism in the police force). They were directed by Nicolas Kent. The Colour of Justice and Half the Picture and were broadcast by the BBC Television.[6]

Theatre

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With Dundee Repertory Theatre 1959–1961

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Shakespeare At the Old Vic

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Directed by Michael Benthall

London and West End

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Tricycle Theatre

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Touring productions

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Other

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Radio and voice work

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  • The Burning Glass by Jo Anderson and Directed Andy Jordan.

"Breizh has a problem. The World Cup looms and all eyes are on FRANCE. Down on the estate, something stirs." Others in the cast: Philip Madoc and Frances Jeater. BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play 30 May 1998 repeated 20 March 1990

Michael Culver voiced Rachmaninoff. Other contributions from Vladimir Ashkenazy (speaker and piano), Jonathan Kydd (Yermakov voice over), Boris Berezovskii (piano), Shura Cherkassky (piano), Mikhail Falkov (tenor), Alexander Fedin (tenor), Joan Rodgers (soprano). With Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus.

Cast included Anton Lesser (Xavier March), Graham Padden (Krause), Robert Portal (Jost), Peter Ellis (Max Jarger), Thomas Copeland (Pili), Andrew Sachs, Amanda Walker, Patrick Godfrey, Michael Byrne, Ian Gelder, Angeline Ball, William Scott Masson, Stratford Johns, Eleanor Bron, Dan Fineman, Alice Arnold and Trevor Nichols, with Ned Sherrin, Jonathan Coleman and Alan Dedicoat. Goldhawk Radio production. Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 June 1997

  • Flight of the Swan by Jean MacVean. BBC Radio 4, 7 August 1982

Cast included: Rosalind Shanks and David Neal. The play deals with human love and how it is so often impossible for one person to really know another.

  • Wilderness of Mirrors Unabridged 1989 reading of the novel by Ted Allbeury
  • The Shadow of Mir by Nick Fisher and directed by John Dryden. First broadcast BBC Radio 4 on 8 May 1998 as the Friday Play[9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1963 From Russia with Love Man in a Punt Uncredited [4]
1965 Thunderball Vulcan Bomber Crewman Uncredited [4]
1966 You’ll Know Me by the Stars in My Eyes Timothy Condon-Watt
1969 The Body Stealers Lieutenant Bailes
Goodbye, Mr. Chips Johnny Longbridge [10]
Crossplot Jim [10]
1972 The Fast Kill Jeremy Dryden
1975 Conduct Unbecoming Lt. Richard Fothergill [10]
1976 Short Ends 2nd Policeman
1977 Colour of Darkness
1980 The Empire Strikes Back Capt. Needa [6][4]
1984 A Passage to India Major McBryde [6][4]
1991 The Transmission of Roger Bacon Roger Bacon
2016 Servants' Quarters

Television

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1961–1970

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Year Title Role Notes
1961 You Can't Win Det. Con. Haywick Episode: To Await Collection
1962 Maigret Episode: The White Hat
Studio 4 The Victorian Chaise Longue
Silent Evidence Reporter Episode: Driven to the Brink
1963 Picardy Affair
Moonstrike Fl. Lt Glynn Episode: Home by Four
The Plane Makers Wally Episode: A Good Night's Work
Suspense Robin Gregson Episode: The Patch Card
1965 R3 Lt. Lewis Episode: The Critical Moment
1966 The Spies Muir Episode: Go Ahead, I Only Live Here
Play of the Month Holborn Episode: The Devil's Eggshell
1967 The Revenue Men Foster Episode: Man in a Wheelbarrow
Summer Playhouse James Episode: The Man who Understood Women
Man in a Suitcase Danny Episode: The Bridge
1968 ITV Playhouse Mr. Harrison Episode: Rogue's Gallery: The Curious Adventures of Miss Jane Rawley
The Gamblers Jeremy Compton Episode: The Wrecker
The Avengers Price Episode; Get-A-Way!
1969 The First Churchills Charles Churchill 6 episodes, TV Mini-series
1970 ITV Playhouse Man Episode: The Creeper
Tales of Unease Johnson Episode: Calculated Nightmare
Drama Playhouse Jerry Episode: "The Befrienders – Drink a Toast to Dear Old Dad"

1971–1980

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 Elizabeth R John Tregannon TV mini-series[10]
Doomwatch Minister's PPS Episode: No Room for Error
Persuasion Captain Harville 3 episodes, TV mini-series
The Ten Commandments Richard Episode; Husband and Friend
The Guardians Paul Episode: I Want You to Understand Me
1972 The Persuaders! Kurt Episode: Nuisance Value
The Befrienders Jerry 11 episodes
No Exit Symons Episode: Queen's Messenger
Villains Glazebrook/Peter Glazebrook 3 episodes
Shirley's World Lt Commander Episode: The Islanders
Public Eye Dr. Pembroke Episode: Many a Slip
ITV Saturday Night Theatre Tony Richards Episode: Ted
1972–74 The Adventures of Black Beauty[6] Squire Armstrong (recurring role) 31 episodes
1973 Special Branch Health Inspector Episode: Polonaise
New Scotland Yard George Reed Episode: Diamonds Are Forever
1974 Seven Faces of Woman Robert Spens Episode: Lets Marry Liz
1975 Härte 10 [de] Axel 3 episodes, TV mini-series
Whodunnit? Victor Simmons Episode: Evidence of Death
Thriller Simon Burns Episode: Nurse Will Make It Better
Within These Walls Robin Vestey Episode: Let the People See
Churchill's People Earl Spencer Episode: Mutiny
Sutherland's Law John Melrose Episode: A Lady of Considerable Talent
The Main Chance Roger Lockhart Episode: We're the Bosses Now
Softly, Softly: Task Force Paul Ashworth Episode: Blind Alley
Space: 1999 Pete Irving Episode: The Guardian of Piri[4]
1976 Couples Dennis Jenkins 3 episodes
The Duchess of Duke Street Major Farjeon 3 episodes
Dame of Sark Colonel Graham TV movie
1976–77 Warship Lt. Mannering/Commander. Cleveland 2 episodes
1977 ITV Playhouse Carstairs Episode: Short Back and Sides
Philby, Burgess and Maclean Donald Maclean TV movie
The New Avengers Walters Episode: Hostage
Van der Valk James Episode: Dead on Arrival
1978 Armchair Thriller Dr. Walcott Brown 4 episodes: The Limbo Connection Parts 1, 2, 4 and 6
The Sweeney Dave Leeford Episode: Money, Money, Money
Crown Court Dennis Broadley Episode: Through the Bottom of a Glass Darkly Part 1
Secret Army Major Erwin Brandt (recurring role) 22 episodes
1979 Call My Bluff 2 episodes
1980 Heartland Tony Erskine Episode: Working Arrangements
Breakaway Ernest Clifford 5 episodes: The Local Affair Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
Dick Turpin Colonel De Courcey Episode: Blood Money
Turtle's Progress Joseph 'Joey' Chalk Series 2 Episode 1
Shoestring Stephen Brook Episode: Room with a View
Hammer House of Horror Mark Charlie Boy
Rain on the Roof Malcolm TV movie

1981–1990

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1981 The Bunker Gen. Mohnke TV movie [10]
Diamonds David Kremer 8 episodes
A Fine Romance Ben Episode: Unlucky in Love
Second Chance Mr Seymour 3 episodes
Fanny by Gaslight Lord Manderstone
1982 Minder Soames Episode: Poetic Justice, Innit?
ITV Playhouse Murray Episode: The Reunion
Squadron Grp. Capt. James Christie 10 episodes
Foxy Lady Nigel Cavendish 1 episode
The Professionals Lt. Col. Peter Lawson Lawson's Last Stand
1983 Live from Pebblemill Duke of Wellington Episode: The Battle of Waterloo
All for Love John (ex-husband) Episode: Mrs Silly
The Bounder Reggie Thorne Episode: Third Party
Chessgame Nick Hannah 6 episodes
A Breath of Fresh Air Stanhope Forbes TV movie[11]
1985 Miss Marple: The Moving Finger Edward Symmington TV mini-series [10]
1986 The Return of Sherlock Holmes Sir Reginald Musgrave Episode: The Musgrave Ritual [10]
Casualty James Jarvis Episode: Blood Brothers [6]
1988 Hannay Major Edmund Philipson Episode: Death with due notice
Game, Set and Match Dicky Cruyer 13 episodes
1989 Countdown to War Lord Halifax TV movie
The Justice Game Brian Ash 2 episodes
Saracen Sir Anthony Episode: Ratline
Boon Greg Simpson Episode: Love Letters from a Dead Man
1990 TECX Mark Frobisher Episode: A Soldier's Death
The Green Man Dr. Thomas Underhill 3 episodes

1991–2000

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1991 The New Zorro Aragan Episode: The Whistling Bandit
Shrinks Sir Hugo Dyer 1 episode
For the Greater Good Sir Christopher St Place 2 episodes
The Darling Buds of May Sir George Bluff-Gore 3 episodes
1992 The House of Eliott Ralph Saroyan 7 episodes [10]
Screen One Mr Gervaise Episode: Losing Track
Lovejoy Arnold Featherstone Episode: Members Only
The Piglet Files Hugo Wittersham Episode: Guerrillas in the Mist
1993 Emmerdale Philip Wallace [6]
Growing Pains Episode: "Back in Your Own Backyard"
Inspector Morse Maugham Willowbank Episode: The Day of the Devil
1994–98 Cadfael Prior Robert 13 episodes [6]
1996 Half the Picture Sir Nicholas Lyell/Gore Booth TV movie
Neverwhere Portico Episode: Knightsbridge
1997 Victoria and Albert (Network First Disraeli TV mini-series, Episode: A Queen Alone
Touching Evil Pathologist 2 episodes
WOW
1999 The Colour of Justice Sir William McPherson TV movie
The Queen’s Nose D. Gallows Episode: "Harmony’s Return"

2001–2013

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2001 Anybody's Nightmare Lord Bingham TV movie
2003 New Tricks Ian Lovett 1 episode
2004 Spooks Hugo Weatherby 1 episode, uncredited [6]
2005 Derailed Lord Cullen TV movie
2006 Good Girl, Bad Girl Koslowski TV movie
Murder City Michael Anderson Episode: Just Seventeen [10]
The Impressionists Cézanne's father 1 episode, TV mini-series
2007 The Three Dumas 3rd Marquess Davy De La Pailleterie Documentary
2008 Wallander Hugo Sandin Episode: Sidetracked [6]
2013 Doctors Father Finbar Flynn Episode: Telling [6]

Documentary

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Year Title Role Notes
1975 One Million Hours Drama documentary
1981 More British than the British Narrator
1987 Surcouf: Diving to Disaster Narrator Drama documentary
1988 Affairs of the Hart Narrator
1990 Oceans of Wealth Narrator
1991 The Transmission of Roger Bacon Roger Bacon Drama documentary
Tradecraft Narrator
2015 Incontrovertible Narrator Documentary

References

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  1. ^ "Michael Culver". BFI. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012.
  2. ^ TG24, Sky (15 March 2024). "Michael Culver, morto attore di Star Wars de L'impero colpisce ancora". tg24.sky.it (in Italian). Retrieved 16 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b Ortiz, Aimee; Mayorquín, Orlando (14 March 2024). "Michael Culver, 'Star Wars' Actor and Victim of Darth Vader, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i James Hibbs (13 March 2024). "Michael Culver, Star Wars, screen and stage star, dies aged 85". radiotimes.com. Radio Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Michael Culver Biography (1938-)". filmreference.com. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Coveney, Michael (12 March 2024). "Michael Culver obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  7. ^ "From Russia with Love (1963) Michael Culver: Man in a Punt". imdb.com. IMDb, Inc. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Michael Culver". imdb.com. IMDb, Inc. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  9. ^ "The Shadow of Mir". BBC. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Michael Culver Movies and Shows". tv.apple.com. Apple TV.
  11. ^ Melissa Hardie (1995). 100 Years in Newlyn: Diary of a Gallery. Hypatia Publications. p. 1982. ISBN 9781872229225. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
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