Brian Bedford (16 February 1935 – 13 January 2016) was an English-born actor best known for his work on stage and his long association with Shakespearean drama. Trained in classical theatre, Bedford developed a reputation for clarity of diction, a flexible comic touch and persuasive interpretations of both comic and tragic roles. He worked extensively in regional and national theatres as an actor and director and also appeared in film and television.
Career highlights and roles
Bedford’s stage career included prominent seasons at major festivals and on Broadway. He was especially noted for performances at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, where he played a wide range of parts and also directed productions. On screen, Bedford performed character roles in films and television; among the better-known screen appearances was his portrayal of Clyde Tolson in Oliver Stone’s film Nixon. He also broadened his audience through voice work, including a leading voice role in a major animated feature.
Awards and recognition
Over the course of his career Bedford received several honours. He won a Tony Award in 1971 and was the recipient of multiple Drama Desk Awards. Critics and colleagues often praised his versatility, his facility with verse and his ability to move easily between comedy and serious drama.
Personal life and later years
Born in Morley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, Bedford later lived in North America for much of his career. He was openly gay and entered a long-term partnership with actor Tim MacDonald; the couple formalized their relationship in 2013. Bedford died on 13 January 2016 in Santa Barbara, California, after a battle with cancer.
Legacy and further reading
Brian Bedford is remembered as a graceful and exacting interpreter of classic texts, a committed stage director and a respected teacher of the craft. For overviews of his life and work and archival material, see these general resources and profiles: