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Actor Ian Richardson dead at 72
Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 2/9/07 | Nigel Reynolds

Posted on 02/09/2007 3:02:14 PM PST by kiriath_jearim

The actor Ian Richardson, best remembered for television role as the Machiavellian chief whip Francis Urquhart in the BBC series House of Cards, died suddenly today at the age of 72.

He died in his sleep at his home at Richmond, Surrey. He had not been ill and his death was a shock, his agent said.

The actor was due to start filming an episode of ITV’s Midsomer Murders next week.

Richardson, who started as a Shakesperian actor and went on to star in numerous films and other TV dramas, was concerned about being typecast as the scheming Urquhart, which won him a BAFTA award.

He said two years ago: "I’m grateful for the part as it put me on the map. The only trouble is getting rid of it. So many people seem to think that I am like him."

Paul Seed, who directed House of Cards, today called Richardson "the most sophisticated craftsman comic actor in this country".

"I cast him in House of Cards because of his comic talent and he was utterly brilliant. His passing is the end of a generation of that kind of actor."

Michael Dobbs, co-author of House of Cards and its sequels, the To Play the King and The Final Cut, described him as "a superb actor" who was "very careful not to let the fame get in the way of his personal integrity".

Richardson appeared in the BBC’s recent adaptation of Bleak House. Other television roles included Sherlock Holmes, Lord Groan in Gormenghast, Sir Godber Evans in Porterhouse Blue and the 'Tailor’ in John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The actor’s famous one-liner in House of Cards - "You may very well think that; I couldn’t possibly comment" - passed into common parlance at Westminster.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Music/Entertainment; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: francisurquhart; houseofcards; ianrichardson

1 posted on 02/09/2007 3:02:16 PM PST by kiriath_jearim
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To: kiriath_jearim

2 posted on 02/09/2007 3:32:30 PM PST by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: Bigh4u2

He looks like an older version of Putin. Interesting.

God Speed Ian...great acting.


3 posted on 02/09/2007 3:49:30 PM PST by alisasny (Cynthia McKinny..INTERNATIONAL BLACK FEMALE CONGRESSPERSON OF MYSTERY)
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To: Howlin; onyx; Clemenza; Petronski; GummyIII; SevenofNine; veronica; Xenalyte; CheneyChick; ...

ping


4 posted on 02/09/2007 3:58:11 PM PST by EveningStar (Hillary Clinton is Hugo Chavez in a pantsuit - P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: Bigh4u2

YEAH somebody just mention he look like Vlady ROFL


5 posted on 02/09/2007 4:18:34 PM PST by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: kiriath_jearim

House of Cards was good. Well worth a rent.


6 posted on 02/09/2007 4:49:05 PM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
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To: kiriath_jearim
DVD at Amazon
7 posted on 02/09/2007 4:54:29 PM PST by EveningStar (Hillary Clinton is Hugo Chavez in a pantsuit - P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: EveningStar

Rest in peace.


8 posted on 02/09/2007 4:55:06 PM PST by onyx (DEFEAT Hillary Clinton, Marxist, student of Saul Alinsky & ally and beneficiary of Soros.)
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To: kiriath_jearim
When told of the news, he said


9 posted on 02/09/2007 8:52:46 PM PST by JRios1968 (Tagline wanted...inquire within)
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To: JRios1968

I'm dying here. :)


10 posted on 02/09/2007 8:56:10 PM PST by EveningStar (Hillary Clinton is Hugo Chavez in a pantsuit - P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: kiriath_jearim

I guess he completes the trifecta along with Frankie Laine and Anna Nicole Smith.


11 posted on 02/09/2007 8:59:31 PM PST by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Championship U)
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To: EveningStar

No, no...you can't!


12 posted on 02/09/2007 9:08:15 PM PST by JRios1968 (Tagline wanted...inquire within)
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