Famed British actor Jack Hedley, probably best known for his role as Sir Timothy Havelock in the Bond film For Your Eyes Only, passed away earlier this month after a brief illness. The Times London announced his passing in a notice that read:
Hedley’s acting career spanned decades and he starred in some rather iconic roles on film as well as on stage. The actor was also quite the popular face on TV with a roster of hit shows in the UK, including Colditz, Dixon of Dock Green, The Buccaneers, Only Fools and Horses, and the TV film version of Brief Encounter.
[Hedley] died on 11th December 2021, aged 92, after a short illness bravely borne. At his request, there will be no funeral. He will be much missed by his family and friends.
Born in 1929 as Jack Hawkins, he changed his last name to avoid confusion with his namesake who was yet another iconic British actor known for his portrayal of military men. Jack Hedley kicked off his career in acting in the 1950s and found his big break in the BBC series The World of Tim Frazer in the early 1960s.
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Subsequently, he starred in a number of films of the decade, like Lawrence of Arabia, The Scarlet Blade, Witchcraft, and The Secret of Blood Island. However, his role in Lawrence of Arabia was a minor one, as he played a reporter at Lawrence’s funeral. Hedley had eventually made a name for himself as someone who best portrays military characters. In the TV production of Colditz, he played Lt. Colonel Preston and his portrayal was the embodiment of the “British stiff upper lip.” He also had a relatively minor role in the American war epic The Longest Day, where he starred alongside stalwarts like John Wayne, Robert Ryan, and Richard Burton.
However, Hedley is perhaps best known for his role in the 1981 Bond film For Your Eyes Only. He played the role of Sir Timothy Havelock, a British Marine archaeologist who was hired by the British Secret Service to locate the wreck of the spy ship, St. Georges. The character was also the father of Melina Havelock (played by Carole Bouquet), the “Bond girl” of the film. Interestingly, Hedley also voiced the parrot that accompanied Sir Havelock.
Jack Hedley went on to make regular guest appearances on numerous shows throughout the 1980s and the 90s, including Only Fools and Horses, ‘Allo ‘Allo, and Dalziel and Pascoe. His final on-screen appearance was in the Italian TV mini-series called St. Paul, where he played a priest.
