Basil Henson

Basil Henson (31 July 1918 – 19 December 1990) was an English actor.[1][2]

Basil Henson
Born	(1918-07-31)31 July 1918 London, England
Died	19 December 1990(1990-12-19) (aged 72) Sevenoaks, Kent, England
Occupation	Actor

Henson had a lengthy career on stage and television.[3] His stage performances included a number of parts in Shakespeare productions, including The Merchant of Venice opposite Dustin Hoffman in London's West End and on Broadway.[4][5] He also played in the original West End production of Terence Rattigan's Separate Tables at the St. James' Theatre in 1954.[6] He appeared a number of times at the National Theatre, including a part in the world premiere of Amadeus by Peter Shaffer.[7][8]

He also appeared in many British films during his career. Among them Dr. Crippen (1962), the Edgar Wallace Mysteries series of second features, Darling (1965), The Frozen Dead (1966), Arthur? Arthur! (1969), The Walking Stick (1970), Cromwell (1970), The Final Programme (1973), and Galileo (1975).[9][1]

Henson's television appearances included Emergency Ward 10, The Power Game, Sexton Blake, The Champions, Follyfoot, War and Peace, Fall of Eagles and Crown Court and as Sir Horatio Manners in When the Boat Comes In.[10] He also appeared as Dr. Abbott in the Fawlty Towers episode "The Psychiatrist" 1979.[11]