Brian Blessed

Brian Blessed

Acting
Born 1936-10-09Mexborough, Yorkshire, England, UK

Biography

Brian Blessed OBE (born 9 October 1936)is an English actor. He is known for his distinctive bushy beard, booming voice, and exuberant personality and performances. He portrayed PC "Fancy" Smith in Z-Cars; Augustus in the 1976 BBC television production of I, Claudius; King Richard IV in the first series of Blackadder; Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon; Bustopher Jones and Old Deuteronomy in the 1981 original London production of Cats at the New London Theatre; Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter, in Henry V; Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; and the voice of Clayton and the Tarzan yell in Disney's Tarzan. In 2016, Blessed was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the arts and charity. Blessed was born on 9 October 1936 at Montagu Hospital in Mexborough, West Riding of Yorkshire, the son of William Blessed, a socialist coal miner at Hickleton Main Colliery (and himself the son of a coal miner) and cricketer for the Yorkshire second team, and Hilda (née Wall). He had a brother Alan, seven years younger, and the pair "went everywhere together" when they were growing up. Alan Blessed died from leukaemia aged 52; their mother died aged 87, and their father died aged 99. Blessed's great-great-grandfather, Jabez Blessed, was the father of 13 children and worked as a china and glass dealer in Brigg, Lincolnshire; many of Blessed's relatives hail from Brigg. Blessed went to Bolton on Dearne Secondary Modern School, and completed his national service in the RAF, in Bicester, before enrolling at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1956.

Movies (98)

Tarzan
7.4

Tarzan

1999Movie7.4
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
6.9

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

1991Movie6.9
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
6.6

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

1999Movie6.6
Alexander
6.0

Alexander

2004Movie6.0
Much Ado About Nothing
7.0

Much Ado About Nothing

1993Movie7.0
Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans
7.6

Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans

2021Movie7.6
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!
6.5

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!

2012Movie6.5
Flash Gordon
6.3

Flash Gordon

1980Movie6.3
The Trojan Women
6.2

The Trojan Women

1971Movie6.2
The Eagle Has Landed
6.7

The Eagle Has Landed

1976Movie6.7
Henry V
7.1

Henry V

1989Movie7.1
Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return
6.3

Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return

2014Movie6.3
Hamlet
7.3

Hamlet

1996Movie7.3
A Midsummer Nightmare
8.0

A Midsummer Nightmare

1975Movie8.0
As You Like It
5.8

As You Like It

2006Movie5.8
Day of Wrath
4.4

Day of Wrath

2006Movie4.4
Agent Crush
4.8

Agent Crush

2008Movie4.8
Freddie As F.R.O.7.
5.2

Freddie As F.R.O.7.

1992Movie5.2
Brotherly Love
6.5

Brotherly Love

1970Movie6.5
High Road to China
6.0

High Road to China

1983Movie6.0
The Hound of the Baskervilles
6.5

The Hound of the Baskervilles

1983Movie6.5
Robin Hood: The Rebellion
5.0

Robin Hood: The Rebellion

2018Movie5.0
The Bruce
6.4

The Bruce

1996Movie6.4
Henry VIII and His Six Wives
5.8

Henry VIII and His Six Wives

1972Movie5.8
David Macaulay: Pyramid

David Macaulay: Pyramid

1989Movie
Mist: The Tale of a Sheepdog Puppy
7.0

Mist: The Tale of a Sheepdog Puppy

2006Movie7.0
The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

The 50 Greatest Television Dramas

2007Movie
The Last Valley
6.5

The Last Valley

1971Movie6.5
Catherine the Great
5.6

Catherine the Great

1996Movie5.6
So You Want To Be A Pirate!
6.2

So You Want To Be A Pirate!

2012Movie6.2
Man of La Mancha
6.6

Man of La Mancha

1972Movie6.6
Exam Conditions

Exam Conditions

1992Movie
Peppa's Cinema Party
4.0

Peppa's Cinema Party

2024Movie4.0
LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out
6.5

LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

2012Movie6.5
Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
6.7

Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh

1998Movie6.7
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
6.5

The Funny Blokes of British Comedy

2005Movie6.5
Life After Flash
5.6

Life After Flash

2017Movie5.6
Peter O'Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba
7.3

Peter O'Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba

2022Movie7.3
David Macaulay: Roman City
9.0

David Macaulay: Roman City

1994Movie9.0
Blake's 7: The Beginning
9.0

Blake's 7: The Beginning

1985Movie9.0
Prisoner of Honor
6.1

Prisoner of Honor

1991Movie6.1
Doctor Who: Mindwarp
7.7

Doctor Who: Mindwarp

1986Movie7.7
Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments
4.5

Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments

2008Movie4.5
MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis
6.3

MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis

1994Movie6.3
Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots
10.0

Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots

2015Movie10.0
The Greatest Store in the World
5.6

The Greatest Store in the World

1999Movie5.6
The Mumbo Jumbo
7.0

The Mumbo Jumbo

2000Movie7.0
Dudley & the Invasion of the Space Slugs

Dudley & the Invasion of the Space Slugs

2027Movie
Tales of Television Centre
8.0

Tales of Television Centre

2012Movie8.0
Peppa Pig: Wedding Party!
10.0

Peppa Pig: Wedding Party!

2024Movie10.0
Till Death Us Do Part
7.6

Till Death Us Do Part

1969Movie7.6
David Macaulay: Cathedral

David Macaulay: Cathedral

1986Movie
King Arthur, the Young Warlord
7.0

King Arthur, the Young Warlord

1975Movie7.0
A Christmas Carol
6.7

A Christmas Carol

1977Movie6.7
Mist: The Tale of a Sheepdog Puppy

Mist: The Tale of a Sheepdog Puppy

2005Movie
448 BC: Olympiad of Ancient Hellas
8.0

448 BC: Olympiad of Ancient Hellas

2004Movie8.0
Summit Fever

Summit Fever

1996Movie
Cosmic Princess
5.4

Cosmic Princess

1982Movie5.4
Wojtek: The Bear That Went to War
5.8

Wojtek: The Bear That Went to War

2011Movie5.8
The Master of Ballantrae
6.3

The Master of Ballantrae

1984Movie6.3
The Conclave
5.9

The Conclave

2006Movie5.9
I, Claudius: A Television Epic
7.0

I, Claudius: A Television Epic

2002Movie7.0
Time Travel Is Dangerous!
5.3

Time Travel Is Dangerous!

2025Movie5.3
The Seventeenth Kind

The Seventeenth Kind

2014Movie
The Making of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Making of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

2002Movie
The Day After Tomorrow: Into Infinity
4.6

The Day After Tomorrow: Into Infinity

1975Movie4.6
Kidnapped
6.3

Kidnapped

1995Movie6.3
Tales of the Unexpected: Lamb to the Slaughter

Tales of the Unexpected: Lamb to the Slaughter

1979Movie
The Legend of the Tamworth Two
5.0

The Legend of the Tamworth Two

2004Movie5.0
The Dark Side of Everest
9.0

The Dark Side of Everest

2003Movie9.0
Shed of the Dead
4.9

Shed of the Dead

2019Movie4.9
The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord

The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord

2008Movie
Son of Man
10.0

Son of Man

1969Movie10.0
The Doctors: 30 Years of Time Travel and Beyond
7.0

The Doctors: 30 Years of Time Travel and Beyond

1995Movie7.0
The Double Agent

The Double Agent

1969Movie
Back in the USSR
5.0

Back in the USSR

1992Movie5.0
Wine of India
10.0

Wine of India

1970Movie10.0
Back in Business
5.0

Back in Business

2007Movie5.0
Old Rococo: The Life of Gioacchino Rossini

Old Rococo: The Life of Gioacchino Rossini

1992Movie
The Queen: 70 Glorious Years

The Queen: 70 Glorious Years

2022Movie
Peter O'Toole Réalta & Rógaire

Peter O'Toole Réalta & Rógaire

2021Movie
Chasing the Deer
5.7

Chasing the Deer

1994Movie5.7
Devil's Harvest
2.4

Devil's Harvest

2003Movie2.4
The Castle of Adventure
7.8

The Castle of Adventure

1990Movie7.8
Galahad of Everest
8.7

Galahad of Everest

1991Movie8.7
Blood and Dust
7.0

Blood and Dust

1992Movie7.0
David Macaulay: Castle
6.0

David Macaulay: Castle

1983Movie6.0
Eugenius!
8.5

Eugenius!

2020Movie8.5
The Bristol Entertainment

The Bristol Entertainment

1971Movie
Dear Mr. Burton

Dear Mr. Burton

2020Movie
King Lear
9.0

King Lear

1999Movie9.0
Macbeth
7.0

Macbeth

1997Movie7.0
Genius: Pythagoras

Genius: Pythagoras

1996Movie
The Christmas Tree
7.0

The Christmas Tree

1966Movie7.0
Mr. Bojagi

Mr. Bojagi

2010Movie
The Old Man Of The Mountain
9.0

The Old Man Of The Mountain

1989Movie9.0
Brian Cox: Space, Time & Videotape

Brian Cox: Space, Time & Videotape

2014Movie
Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade the Earth!

Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade the Earth!

2022Movie

TV Shows (88)

Family Guy
7.4

Family Guy

1999Series7.4
Peppa Pig
6.5

Peppa Pig

2004Series6.5
Doctor Who
7.9

Doctor Who

1963Series7.9
The Avengers
7.8

The Avengers

1961Series7.8
QI
7.9

QI

2003Series7.9
The Amazing World of Gumball
8.5

The Amazing World of Gumball

2011Series8.5
Natural World
7.4

Natural World

1983Series7.4
BBC Play of the Month
5.2

BBC Play of the Month

1965Series5.2
Have I Got News for You
7.2

Have I Got News for You

1990Series7.2
Have I Got a Bit More News for You
7.2

Have I Got a Bit More News for You

Series7.2
Minder
7.1

Minder

1979Series7.1
The Wednesday Play
5.2

The Wednesday Play

1964Series5.2
GMTV
5.8

GMTV

1993Series5.8
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
2.8

Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

2022Series2.8
The Paul O'Grady Show
5.1

The Paul O'Grady Show

2004Series5.1
Tales of the Unexpected
6.8

Tales of the Unexpected

1979Series6.8
Z-Cars
7.3

Z-Cars

1962Series7.3
Pebble Mill
4.1

Pebble Mill

1991Series4.1
ITV Playhouse
7.0

ITV Playhouse

1967Series7.0
Would I Lie to You?
7.8

Would I Lie to You?

2007Series7.8
Blackadder
8.0

Blackadder

1983Series8.0
Lady Chatterley
6.3

Lady Chatterley

1993Series6.3
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
7.0

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

1969Series7.0
Space: 1999
7.1

Space: 1999

1975Series7.1
The Heaven and Earth Show
4.4

The Heaven and Earth Show

1998Series4.4
Close Enough
7.9

Close Enough

2020Series7.9
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
6.0

Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

2011Series6.0
Blake's 7
7.3

Blake's 7

1978Series7.3
Soccer AM
6.3

Soccer AM

1995Series6.3
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
6.1

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

2002Series6.1
Who Do You Think You Are?
7.0

Who Do You Think You Are?

2004Series7.0
Sooty
7.5

Sooty

2011Series7.5
The Sweeney
8.1

The Sweeney

1975Series8.1
Thriller
7.0

Thriller

1973Series7.0
Danger Mouse
6.3

Danger Mouse

2015Series6.3
Churchill's People
5.0

Churchill's People

1974Series5.0
The Troubleshooters
7.3

The Troubleshooters

1965Series7.3
Lovejoy
7.4

Lovejoy

1986Series7.4
War and Remembrance
7.9

War and Remembrance

1988Series7.9
I, Claudius
7.8

I, Claudius

1976Series7.8
Crossbow
6.3

Crossbow

1987Series6.3
Sooty & Co.
7.2

Sooty & Co.

1993Series7.2
The Expert
9.0

The Expert

1968Series9.0
The Russell Howard Hour
8.0

The Russell Howard Hour

2017Series8.0
Public Eye
8.2

Public Eye

1965Series8.2
Justice
7.3

Justice

1971Series7.3
Survivors
7.9

Survivors

1975Series7.9
Blankety Blank
7.0

Blankety Blank

2021Series7.0
Britain's Got More Talent
2.7

Britain's Got More Talent

2007Series2.7
Best & Bester
10.0

Best & Bester

2022Series10.0
John Silver's Return to Treasure Island
8.8

John Silver's Return to Treasure Island

1986Series8.8
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
7.0

Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)

1969Series7.0
Dennis the Menace and Gnasher
6.3

Dennis the Menace and Gnasher

1996Series6.3
Arthur of the Britons
8.0

Arthur of the Britons

1972Series8.0
Wizards vs Aliens
7.5

Wizards vs Aliens

2012Series7.5
The Kenny Everett Television Show
7.3

The Kenny Everett Television Show

1982Series7.3
Fun at the Funeral Parlour
7.0

Fun at the Funeral Parlour

2001Series7.0
Take Me Out
6.0

Take Me Out

2010Series6.0
Boy Dominic
8.0

Boy Dominic

1974Series8.0
The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling
7.5

The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling

1997Series7.5
The Further Adventures of the Musketeers
7.7

The Further Adventures of the Musketeers

1967Series7.7
Johnny and the Dead
6.3

Johnny and the Dead

1995Series6.3
Shirley's World
6.0

Shirley's World

1972Series6.0
Fantasy World Cup
5.0

Fantasy World Cup

1998Series5.0
All Star Mr & Mrs

All Star Mr & Mrs

2008Series
The Last Days of Pompeii
7.4

The Last Days of Pompeii

1984Series7.4
The Kumars
5.0

The Kumars

2014Series5.0
The Three Musketeers
6.0

The Three Musketeers

1966Series6.0
Was It Something I Said?
6.7

Was It Something I Said?

2013Series6.7
Hallmark Hall of Fame
8.8

Hallmark Hall of Fame

1951Series8.8
The Castle of Adventure

The Castle of Adventure

1990Series
Nobody's House
8.5

Nobody's House

1976Series8.5
The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything

The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything

2000Series
Notorious Woman
6.5

Notorious Woman

1974Series6.5
Saving Planet Earth UK

Saving Planet Earth UK

2007Series
My Family and Other Animals
6.0

My Family and Other Animals

1987Series6.0
The Aphrodite Inheritance
7.8

The Aphrodite Inheritance

1979Series7.8
The Underdog Show

The Underdog Show

2008Series
A Question of Entertainment

A Question of Entertainment

1988Series
Cold Comfort Farm
8.0

Cold Comfort Farm

1968Series8.0
The Big Knights
9.0

The Big Knights

1999Series9.0
The Gnostics

The Gnostics

1987Series
In Confidence

In Confidence

2010Series
The Little World of Don Camillo
10.0

The Little World of Don Camillo

1981Series10.0
European Heritage

European Heritage

1973Series
The Day After Tomorrow
4.5

The Day After Tomorrow

1975Series4.5
The Royal
7.8

The Royal

2003Series7.8
Fee Fi Fo Yum

Fee Fi Fo Yum

2010Series