On TV he was in The Creature (1955) by Nigel Kneale, later filmed (without Baker) as The Abominable Snowman (1957). Sir William Stanley Baker (28 February 1928 – 28 June 1976) was a Welsh actor and film producer. He made a series of films in Spain: Zorro (1975), starring Alain Delon, where Baker played the main villain; Bride to Be (1975), with Sarah Miles. He was voted the tenth biggest British star in Britain at the end of the year. His artistic ability was spotted at an early age by a local teacher, Glynne Morse, who encouraged Baker to act. Stanley passed away on June 28, 1976 at the age of 49 in Malaga, Andalucia, Spain. "I don't make films to see myself perform, I do it to act", said Baker. While in New York, Baker read the novel The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat. He was an opponent of Welsh nationalism and recorded television broadcasts in support of the Welsh Labour Party. Baker grew up a self-proclaimed "wild kid" interested in only "football and boxing". Stanley Baker was born on February 8, 1927 and died on June 28, 1976. Celebrities and Notable People Who Have Had Coronavirus. The British film industry went into serious decline at the end of the 1960s, and a number of Oakhurst films were unsuccessful at the box office. Baker played the lead part of Lieutenant John Chard VC in what remains his best-remembered role. It was the ninth most popular film at the British box office that year. A third collaboration with Losey was Eva (1962), a French-Italian film where Baker acted opposite Jeanne Moreau. He was paid £20 a week, caught the acting bug, and pursued a professional acting career. Baker finally broke away from supporting parts when cast as the lead in Hell Drivers (1957), a truck driving drama directed by Endfield. Stanley's cause of death was lung cancer and pneumonia. Many of his friends believed Baker had damaged his acting career through his attempts to transform himself into a businessman. "MOVIE CALL SHEET: Warners to Film 'Rainbow'" Martin, Betty. Following national service in the Royal Army Service Corps after the Second World War, he befriended actor Richard Burton and began appearing in film and television roles. After being diagnosed with lung cancer in February 1976 and undergoing a surgery for the same, Baker died from pneumonia in Spain on 28 June 1976. Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Actor. ", JULIAN MOUNTER, South Wales Correspondent. Baker attracted attention when cast as the bosun's mate in the Hollywood-financed Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951). A rugby club in South Wales called Ferndale RFC established a tribute to him in the form of its "Sir Stanley Baker Lounge". Producing is total involvement and compatible with acting, while I don't think directing is. [47] His last role was in an Italian TV miniseries, Orzowei, il figlio della savana [it] (1976), based on the novel Orzowei. It was about four POW spending a night in a bombed out church and was staged in actual churches; the rest of the cast includes Denholm Elliott, Hugh Pryse and Leonard White. He was in another epic, playing Attalus in Alexander the Great (1956), which starred Burton in the title role and was shot in Spain for Robert Rossen. As an actor only, he appeared in The Games (1970) for 20th Century Fox. I think the Welsh Nationalists are foolish and misguided people. I've been accused by journalists of lack of discretion, lack of taste. His TV roles included The Tragedy of Pompey the Great (1950) and Rush Job (1951). Officially opened by his widow, Ellen Lady Baker, on Friday 24 November 2006, the day's events featured a presentation to Sir Stanley's sons and family members, and a fitting and moving tribute to the man himself via speeches and tales from celebrities and various local people who knew him best. In 1966 he made a deal with Universal to produce and star in a film. There was some talk he would play Rufio in Cleopatra (1963) but it did not eventuate. Famous last words. She says Baker never regretted losing the part of Bond to Sean Connery but regretted not making This Sporting Life.[24]. Howard Thompson, 'STANLEY BAKER: PERIPATETIC ACTOR-PRODUCER: GENESIS PROVINCIAL DEBUT'. Baker was cast in Twist of Fate (1954) opposite Ginger Rogers, replacing Walter Rilla, who quit the production ten days into filming. In a 1969 interview he said, "I'm a Welshman and proud of it, but I'm no nationalist. ", Geoffrey Wansell, Bardney, Lincolnshire, 25 May. [7] Following his demobilisation Baker returned to London determined to resume his acting career. When he was 14 he was performing in a school play when seen by a casting director from Ealing Studios, who recommended him for a role in Undercover (1943), a war film about the Yugoslav guerrillas in Serbia. [10] It was the most successful film at the British box office in 1953 and Baker was now established in films. Your contribution is much appreciated! She also says he was going to star in This Sporting Life but had to drop out when Guns of Navarone went over schedule. His father was a coal miner who lost a leg in a pit accident but continued working as a lift operator at the mine until his death. [14] He also portrayed Rochester in a British TV adaptation of Jane Eyre (1956). ", Geoffrey Wansell. However, the cancer had spread to his bones and he died from pneumonia on 28 June 1976, in Málaga, Spain, aged 48.[48]. Baker was born in Ferndale, Glamorgan, Wales, the youngest of three children. Stanley was 49 years old at the time of death. "[35], He also expanded his business interests. "Wanger Realigns 'Cleopatra' Cast: New Musical Honors Lincoln; French Stars in 'Longest Day'" [11] He had a small role in a British-US co-production for Warwick Films, The Red Beret (1953), with Alan Ladd, another big hit in Britain. Discover the real story, facts, and details of Stanley Baker. Glyn appeared in The Wild Geese (1978), opposite Richard Burton, and in Return of the Jedi (1983), as Lieutenant Endicott, the imperial officer who said "Inform the commander that Lord Vader's shuttle has arrived." Born: 8-Feb-1927 Birthplace: Ferndale, Rhondda Valley, Wales Died: 28-Jun-1976 Location of death: Malaga, Spain Cause of death: Cancer - Lung. Following this he was meant to make Tread Softly Stranger with Diana Dors but George Baker was cast instead. (10-Apr-1951), Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile. "New Loren Subjects Revealed; Elizabeth Taylor in 'Quixote'" Schallert, Edwin. Producing gives you a continuity of effort that helps with acting. So it was, 'Here we go – take the money, make this trash, hopefully, no one will ever see it.' The project was transferred in its entirety to New York for a limited run, and also toured throughout the US.[9]. [31] He appeared in The Girl with the Pistol (1968), an Italian comedy, then worked as a producer only on two films for Oakhurst: The Other People (1968), which was never released, and The Italian Job (1968) a heist comedy with Michael Caine, a big hit. Explore Stanley Baker's biography, personal life, family and cause of death. He was recommended by Richard Burton for casting in a small role in Terence Rattigan's West End play, Adventure Story (1949). From the beginning I have been surrounded by love. On television was in "A Cradle in Willow" and played Petruchio in a version of Taming of the Shrew (1952). "[50], He was a friend and drinking companion of Richard Burton.[51]. "Pop festivals 'on trial' in Lincolnshire hamlet. I've had a fantastic life; no one has had a more fantastic life than I have. [25] Zulu was a big hit at the box office and made a star of Michael Caine. Known for his rugged appearance and intense, grounded screen persona; he was one of the top British male film stars of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later a prolific producer.[1]. Coronavirus Update. Baker was forced to keep acting to pay the bills, often accepting roles in poor films which adversely affected his status as a star. [28] He made a final film with Losey, Accident (1967), cast against type as an academic. "BRITISH ACTORS HEAD FILM POLL: BOX-OFFICE SURVEY". [16] The success of Hell Drivers saw Baker play a series of tough anti-heroes. (1969) for Oakhurst opposite Tommy Steele for director James Clavell. "SHOOTING 'GUNS OF NAVARONE' ON THE AEGEAN: Grecian Settings Provide Major War Film with Authenticity and Color" by HALSEY RAINES. If you see something that doesn't look right on this page, please do inform us using the form below: © 2017 Dead or Kicking / All Rights Reserved. He was also part of the consortium which set up Harlech Television. [41][42][43] The British stock market crashed at the end of 1973, throwing the over-leveraged British Lion into turmoil. He was the villain in a racing car drama, Checkpoint (1956), opposite Anthony Steel. Birthday: February 8, 1927Date of Death: June 28, 1976Age at Death: 49. "Joi Signs for 'Heart' Role" Martin, Betty. "CHURCH TO HOUSE FRY'S PLAY HERE: 'A Sleep of Prisoners' Will Be Presented at St. James'-- Drama Opening 16 Oct News and Notes of the Stage" by LOUIS CALTA.