Brian Blessed is an English actor.
Biography[]
Born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, Blessed studied at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, he appeared in a number of television appearances in character parts before gaining recognition for his role as Augustus in I, Claudius and Richard IV in Blackadder, as well as film appearances such as Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon.
Recognised for his deep booming voice, Blessed has provided a number of audio narrations as well as being a voice for the Tom Tom driving navigation system. He has also been an explorer, boxer and climber.
Singing[]
Blessed's booming voice has led to a number of musical roles, such as Pedro in Man of La Mancha (where he also dubbed Harry Andrews' Innkeeper) and the originator of Bustopher Jones and Old Deuteronomy in Cats.
He also sang briefly in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, and appeared as Luciano Pavarotti on Stars In Your Eyes, where he performed "O Sole Mio". He also appeared in Metropolis, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang onstage, originating the role of Baron Bomburst.
Film[]
Man of La Mancha (1972)[]
Pedro[]
- Little Bird, Little Bird
- Finale Ultimo: The Impossible Dream (reprise)
Innkeeper[]
- The Dubbing (solo)
- Knight of the Woeful Countenance (contains solo lines)
Television[]
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1997)[]
- Air XX, The Beggar's Opera: March in Rinaldo (solo)
Stars In Their Eyes (2004)[]
- O Sole Mio (solo)
Stage[]
Cats (1981)[]
Bustopher Jones[]
- Bustopher Jones (contains solo lines)
Old Deuteronomy[]
- Old Deuteronomy (contains solo lines)
- The Meaning of Happiness (duet)
- Journey to the Heaviside Layer
- The Addressing of Cats (contains solo lines)
Metropolis (1989)(originated the role)[]
- The Machines Are Beautiful (solo)
- Futura (contains solo lines)
- Metropolis (solo)
Hard Times (2000)(originated the role)[]
- When I Was a Boy (contains solo lines)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2002)[]
- Chu-Chi Face (duet)
- The Bombie Samba (contains solo lines)
Gallery[]
