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Ken Hutchison

Ken Hutchison

One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Play for Today: Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1974). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.

Personal information

Birthday

1943-11-24

Birth Place

Leslie, Fife, Scotland, UK

Movies and TV shows :

A Gift from Nessus

A Gift from Nessus

1980

0.0

Movie
All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front

1979

6.6

Movie
As an Eilean

As an Eilean

1993

0.0

Movie
Blonde Fist

Blonde Fist

1991

4.6

Movie
poster

Casualty

1986

6.0

TV
Deadly Strangers

Deadly Strangers

1975

5.7

Movie
Gandhi

Gandhi

1982

7.6

Movie
poster

Hamish Macbeth

1995

7.7

TV
Just a Boys' Game

Just a Boys' Game

1979

8.0

Movie
Just Another Saturday

Just Another Saturday

1975

8.0

Movie
Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke

1985

7.0

Movie
Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

2003

7.0

Movie
poster

Masada

1981

7.2

TV
Milner

Milner

1994

6.0

Movie
poster

Minder

1979

6.8

TV
One of the Boys

One of the Boys

1978

0.0

Movie
poster

Play for Today

1970

6.1

TV
Red Shift

Red Shift

1978

7.4

Movie
poster

Space: 1999

1975

7.1

TV
Straw Dogs

Straw Dogs

1971

7.2

Movie
Sweeney 2

Sweeney 2

1978

6.6

Movie
The Long Distance Piano Player

The Long Distance Piano Player

1970

0.0

Movie
poster

The Protectors

1972

5.6

TV
poster

The Sweeney

1975

7.7

TV
The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

1982

7.0

Movie
The Wrath of God

The Wrath of God

1972

5.3

Movie
poster

Wuthering Heights

1978

5.0

TV