Richard Evelyn Vernon (7 March 1925 – 4 December 1997) was a British

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

. He appeared in many

feature films A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

and

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

programmes, often in

aristocratic Aristocracy (, ) is a form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocrats. The term derives from the el, αριστοκρατία (), meaning 'rule of the best'. At the time of the word' ...

or supercilious roles. Prematurely balding and greying, Vernon settled into playing archetypal middle-aged

lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power (social and political), power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the Peerage ...

s and military types while still in his 30s. He is perhaps best known for originating the role of Slartibartfast in ''

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' (sometimes referred to as ''HG2G'', ''HHGTTG'', ''H2G2'', or ''tHGttG'') is a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams. Originally a 1978 radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4, it ...

''. Other notable roles included Edwin Oldenshaw in '' The Man in Room 17'' (1965–67), Sir James Greenley, alias "C" in ''

The Sandbaggers ''The Sandbaggers'' is a British spy drama television series about men and women on the front lines of the Cold War. Set contemporaneously with its original broadcast on ITV in 1978 and 1980, ''The Sandbaggers'' examines the effect of espionag ...

'' (1978–80) and Sir Desmond Glazebrook in '' Yes Minister'' (1980–81) and its sequel series ''

Yes, Prime Minister ''Yes Minister'' is a British political satire sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Comprising three seven-episode series, it was first transmitted on BBC2 from 1980 to 1984. A sequel, ''Yes, Prime Minister'', ran for 16 episodes fro ...

'' (1987).

Early life

Vernon was born in Kenya in 1925 to British parents. Vernon and his parents moved to Britain in 1937 where Vernon attended

Reading School Reading School is a grammar school for boys with academy status in the English town of Reading, the county of Berkshire. It traces its history back to the school of Reading Abbey and is, thus, one of the oldest schools in England. There are no ...

and

Leighton Park School Leighton Park School is a co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils in Reading in South East England. The school's ethos is closely tied to the Quaker values, having been founded as a Quaker School in 1890. The school's ...

(both in

Reading, Berkshire Reading ( ) is a town and borough in Berkshire, southeast England. Located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the rivers Thames and Kennet, the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway serve the town. Reading is east ...

). During the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

served in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...

. He trained as an actor at the

Central School of Speech and Drama The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama was founded by Elsie Fogerty in 1906, as The Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, to offer a new form of training in speech and drama for young actors and other students. It became a ...

Career

In 1960, Vernon appeared in an

adaptation In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the po ...

of A.J. Cronin's novel, ''

The Citadel The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, commonly known simply as The Citadel, is a public senior military college in Charleston, South Carolina. Established in 1842, it is one of six senior military colleges in the United States. ...

''. In 1961, he played the father in the BBC series, '' Stranger on the Shore''. An early leading role was as wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw in the TV series '' The Man in Room 17'' (1965–66) and its sequel '' The Fellows'' (1967). He also played a small role as Colonel Smithers, an executive of the

Bank of England The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694 to act as the English Government's banker, and still one of the bankers for the Government o ...

, in a scene opposite

Sean Connery Sir Sean Connery (born Thomas Connery; 25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. Origina ...

and Bernard Lee in the 1964

James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors hav ...

film '' Goldfinger'', discussing how

Auric Goldfinger Auric Goldfinger is a fictional character and the main antagonist in Ian Fleming's 1959 seventh ''James Bond'' novel, '' Goldfinger'', and the 1964 film it inspired (the third in the ''James Bond'' series). His first name, Auric, is an adjective ...

transports his gold overseas. He played an unnamed 'city gent' reluctantly sharing a train compartment with

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

in '' A Hard Day's Night'', planet designer Slartibartfast in the BBC radio and TV series ''

'', the occasional character Sir Desmond Glazebrook in the TV series '' Yes Minister'' and ''

'', and Mr Becket in '' Sammy's Super T-Shirt''. He also appeared in the 1965

Morecambe and Wise Eric Morecambe (John Eric Bartholomew, 14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984) and Ernie Wise (Ernest Wiseman, 27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), known as Morecambe and Wise (and sometimes as Eric and Ernie), were an English comic double act, workin ...

film '' The Intelligence Men'' as patron of the arts Sir Edward Seabrook, Lord Bartelsham in '' Ripping Yarns'', and Squire Dale in the

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. It broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history from the BBC's ...

adaptation of ''

The Small House at Allington ''The Small House at Allington'' is a novel by English novelist Anthony Trollope. It first appeared as a serial in the 1862 July to December edition of the ''Cornhill Magazine'', and ended its run in the July to December edition of the following ...

''. He played Admiral Croft in the 1971 BBC television adaptation of ''

Persuasion Persuasion or persuasion arts is an umbrella term for influence. Persuasion can influence a person's beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivations, or behaviours. Persuasion is studied in many disciplines. Rhetoric studies modes of persua ...

''. He played the urbane head of the Secret Intelligence Service Sir James Greenley in ITV political drama ''

'' from 1978 to 1980. In 1986 he appeared in '' Paradise Postponed'', and voiced the professor Gus in '' The Giddy Game Show'' (1985-7), in addition to a cameo role (as Professor Jerry Coe) in the video for ''

Experiment IV "Experiment IV" is a song by the English singer Kate Bush. It was released as a single on 27 October 1986, in order to promote Bush's greatest hits album ''The Whole Story''. The single peaked at 23 in the UK Singles Chart, simultaneously with " ...

'' by

Kate Bush Catherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. In 1978, at the age of 19, she topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single " Wuthering Heights", becoming the first female ...

. He also appeared in the final episode of Thames Television's production of '' Rumpole of the Bailey'' (1992) as Rumpole's exculpatory dentist, Lionel Leering, and in the last series of ''

Lovejoy ''Lovejoy'' is a British television comedy-drama mystery series, based on the novels by John Grant under the pen name Jonathan Gash. The show, which ran to 71 episodes over six series, was originally broadcast on BBC1 between 10 January 19 ...

'' (1994) playing Tinker's brother-in-law. On radio, in 1978 he played Sir Gerald Tarrant in a

BBC World Service The BBC World Service is an international broadcaster owned and operated by the BBC, with funding from the British Government through the Foreign Secretary's office. It is the world's largest external broadcaster in terms of reception a ...

adaptation of the Modesty Blaise book '' Last Day in Limbo'' and Professor Misty in the

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also featuring. The sta ...

sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...

''Patterson'' in 1981. He also starred in the title role of Lord Emsworth in several BBC Radio 4 series of ''

Blandings Blandings Castle is a recurring fictional location in the stories of British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse, being the seat of Lord Emsworth (Clarence Threepwood, 9th Earl of Emsworth), home to many of his family and the setting for numerous tal ...

'' between 1985 and 1992. In December 1990 he began teaching a course on stage acting in Harare, Zimbabwe. He moved back to

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

in January 1992. His final film appearance was a cameo at the end of the family film ''

Loch Ness Loch Ness (; gd, Loch Nis ) is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately southwest of Inverness. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end. Loch Ness is best known for claim ...

'', which was released in 1996.

Personal life and death

In 1955 he married actress Benedicta Leigh née Hoskyns. They had a daughter Sarah (1956) and a son, Thomas (1958). They divorced in 1990. Vernon died of complications from

Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms beco ...

on 4 December 1997.

Filmography

Film

* '' Stop Press Girl'' (1949) - (uncredited) * '' Indiscreet'' (1958) - Guide (uncredited) * '' The Heart of a Man'' (1959) - Manager (uncredited) * ''

The Siege of Pinchgut ''The Siege of Pinchgut'' (released in the US as ''Four Desperate Men'') is a 1959 British thriller filmed on location in Sydney, Australia, and directed by Harry Watt. It was the last film produced by Ealing Studios, and was entered into the ...

'' (1959) - Under-Secretary * ''

Sapphire Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sa ...

'' (1960) - Detective * ''

Clue of the Twisted Candle ''Clue of the Twisted Candle'' is a 1960 British crime film directed by Allan Davis and starring Bernard Lee, David Knight and Francis De Wolff. Part of the long-running series of Edgar Wallace Mysteries films made at Merton Park Studios, it ...

'' (1960) - Viney * '' Village of the Damned'' (1960) - Sir Edgar Hargraves * ''

Foxhole in Cairo ''Foxhole in Cairo'' is a 1960 British war film directed by John Llewellyn Moxey and based on a novel by Leonard Mosley itself based upon the real-life Operation Salaam. It starred James Robertson Justice, Adrian Hoven, Fenella Fielding and Hen ...

'' (1960) - General * ''

Cash on Demand ''Cash on Demand'' is a 1961 British black and white neo noir crime thriller film directed by Quentin Lawrence and starring Peter Cushing and André Morell. The film company Hammer Film Productions invested approximately £37,000 to produce ...

'' (1961) - Pearson * ''The

Edgar Wallace Mysteries The ''Edgar Wallace Mysteries'' is a British second-feature film series mainly produced at Merton Park Studios for Anglo-Amalgamated. There were 48 films in the series, which were released between 1960 and 1965. The series was screened as ''The E ...

'' Film series (1962, ''The Share Out'') - John Crewe * '' Reach for Glory'' (1962) - Dr. Aldrich * '' Jigsaw'' (1962) - (voice) * ''

We Joined the Navy ''We Joined the Navy'' is a 1962 British comedy film directed by Wendy Toye and starring Kenneth More, Lloyd Nolan, Joan O'Brien, Derek Fowlds, Graham Crowden, Esma Cannon and John Le Mesurier. Produced by Daniel M. Angel, it was based on th ...

'' (1962) - (uncredited) * ''The Edgar Wallace Mysteries'' Film series (1963, ''

Accidental Death An accidental death is an unnatural death that is caused by an accident, such as a slip and fall, traffic collision, or accidental poisoning. Accidental deaths are distinguished from death by natural causes, disease, and from intentional hom ...

'') - John Paxton * '' Just for Fun'' (1963) - Prime Minister * '' The Servant'' (1963) - Lord Mounset * '' Hot Enough for June'' (1964) - Roddinghead * '' A Hard Day's Night'' (1964) - Pompous man on train (Johnson) * '' Goldfinger'' (1964) - Colonel Smithers * ''

The Counterfeit Constable ''The Counterfeit Constable'' (French: ''Allez France!'') is a 1964 French comedy film directed by Robert Dhéry and Pierre Tchernia and starring Ronald Fraser, Diana Dors and Arthur Mullard. Plot A French rugby supporter (Robert Dhéry), in ...

'' (1964) (French title: ''Allez France!'') - Lord Brisburn * '' The Tomb of Ligeia'' (1964) - Dr. Vivian * ''

The Yellow Rolls-Royce ''The Yellow Rolls-Royce'' is a 1964 British dramatic composite film written by Terence Rattigan, produced by Anatole de Grunwald, and directed by Anthony Asquith, the trio responsible for '' The V.I.P.s'' (1963). Apparently adapting an idea fr ...

'' (1965) - Racecourse official (uncredited) * '' The Intelligence Men'' (1965) - Sir Edward Seabrook * '' The Secret of My Success'' (1965) - Lord Hetherby * '' The Early Bird'' (1965) - Sir Roger Wedgewood * '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1969) - Chairman (uncredited) * '' Song of Norway'' (1970) - Councilman * '' She'll Follow You Anywhere'' (1971) - Andrew Coombes * ''

One Brief Summer ''One Brief Summer'' is a 1970 British drama film directed by John Mackenzie. It stars Felicity Gibson and Clifford Evans. It was made at Twickenham Studios. Cast * Felicity Gibson as Susan Long * Clifford Evans as Mark Stevens * Jennifer H ...

'' (1971) - Hayward * ''

The Satanic Rites of Dracula ''The Satanic Rites of Dracula'' is a 1973 British horror film directed by Alan Gibson and produced by Hammer Film Productions. It is the eighth film in Hammer's ''Dracula'' series, and the seventh and final one to feature Christopher Lee as Dr ...

'' (1973) - Mathews * ''

Adventures of a Taxi Driver ''Adventures of a Taxi Driver'' is a 1976 British sex comedy film directed by Stanley Long and starring Barry Evans, Judy Geeson and Adrienne Posta. There were two sequels, '' Adventures of a Private Eye'' and '' Adventures of a Plumber's Mate ...

'' (1976) - Gentleman (uncredited) * ''

The Pink Panther Strikes Again ''The Pink Panther Strikes Again'' is a 1976 comedy film. The fifth film in ''The Pink Panther'' series, its plot picks up three years after '' The Return of the Pink Panther'', with former Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) about t ...

'' (1976) - Professor Hugo Fassbender * '' Sammy's Super T-Shirt'' (1978) - Mr. Becket * '' The Human Factor'' (1979) - Sir John Hargreaves * '' Oh! Heavenly Dog'' (1980) - Quimby Charles * '' The Box'' (1981) - (voice) * '' Evil Under the Sun'' (1982) - Flewitt * ''

Witness for the Prosecution In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...

'' (1982) - Brogan-Moore, barrister * ''

Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

'' (1982) - Sir Edward Albert Gait * ''

Night Train to Murder ''Night Train to Murder'' is a 1985 British comedy television film, directed by Joseph McGrath and starring Morecambe and Wise. It was the last work that Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise worked on together before Morecambe's death in 1984 (the com ...

'' (1983) - Uncle Felix * '' Lady Jane'' (1986) - The Marquess of Winchester * '' A Month in the Country'' (1987) - Colonel Hebron * ''

'' (1996) - Aged professor (cameo) (final film role)

Television

* ''

ITV Television Playhouse ''ITV Television Playhouse'', often simplified to ''Television Playhouse'', was a British anthology television series produced by and airing on the ITV television network from 1955 through 1963. The series premiered with the teleplay ''Midlevel ...

'' (1956–1963, 5 episodes) as Multiple roles * ''

ITV Play of the Week ''Play of the Week'' is a 90-minute British television anthology series produced by a variety of companies including Granada Television, Associated-Rediffusion, ATV and Anglia Television. Synopsis From 1955 to 1967 approximately 500 episodes ...

'' (1957–1966, 9 episodes) as Multiple roles *'' Probation Officer'' (1959–1960, 5 episodes) as Doctor Lessing * ''

No Hiding Place ''No Hiding Place'' is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967. It was the sequel to the series ''Murder Bag'' (1957–1958) ...

'' (1959–1961, 2 episodes) as John Eldin/Charles Lacey * '' Dixon of Dock Green'' (1960–1962, 2 episodes) as Fellowes/Pascoe * ''

Emergency Ward 10 ''Emergency Ward 10'' is a British medical soap opera series shown on ITV between 1957 and 1967. Like ''The Grove Family'', a series shown by the BBC between 1954 and 1957, ''Emergency Ward 10'' is considered to be one of British television's ...

'' (1960, 1 episode) as Forrester * ''

Francis Storm Investigates ''Francis Storm Investigates'' is a British television series which originally aired on ITV in 1960.Pitts p.316 A former SOE operative sets up as a private detective from his mews house in Kensington. Main cast * Brian Worth as Francis Storm ...

'' (1960, 1 episode) as Commodore Garwood * '' Deadline Midnight'' (1960, 1 episode) as Holroyd * '' Boyd Q.C.'' (1960, 1 episode) as Mr. Trottman * ''

Theatre 70 ''Theatre 70'' is a 70-minute UK dramatic television anthology series produced by Associated Television. Twenty-five episodes aired on ITV from 1960–61. Guest actors included Zoe Caldwell, Robert Horton, André Morell, Georgina Ward and Ma ...

'' (1960, 1 episode) as Mr. Pearson * ''

The Odd Man ''The Odd Man'' was a police series produced by Granada Television, running over four series between 1960 and 1963. The character of pompous police Chief Inspector Charles Rose (William Mervyn) at the start of series 3 cemented the show's pop ...

'' (1960, 5 episodes) as Charles Ormiston * ''

'' (1960, 5 episodes) as Doctor Ivory * '' Jango'' (1961, 1 episode) as Parkinson * '' Stranger on the Shore'' (1961, 6 episodes) as David Gough * ''

Stranger in the City ''Stranger in the City'' was the second solo album by John Miles and was released in 1977. It was awarded BPI Silver Certification on 19 July 1977. Recording sessions with its producer and orchestral arranger Rupert Holmes started in the summe ...

'' (1962, 6 episodes) as David Gough * '' The Cheaters'' (1962, 1 episode) as Ken Northwood * '' Saki'' (1962, 8 episodes) as The Major * '' Maigret'' (1962, 1 episode) as Philippe * ''

The Last Man Out ''The Last Man Out'' is a British television drama series written, produced and directed by Shaun Sutton. The six-part black and white series was first aired on BBC One in 1962. All six episodes were later wiped, and are believed to be lost. The ...

'' (1962, 1 episode) as The Colonel * '' The Avengers'' (1962, 1 episode) as Lord Matterley * '' Harpers West One'' (1962, 1 episode) as Arthur Purvis * '' Z Cars'' (1962, 1 episode) as Det. Chief Insp. Humphries * '' It Happened Like This'' (1963, 1 episode) as Harker * ''

24-Hour Call ''24-Hour Call'' was a 1963 British television series for ATV around the private practice of four doctors played by Godfrey Quigley as Dr Bennett and Geoffrey Frederick from a previous ATV series ''Call Oxbridge 2000'', and newcomers Scott Forbe ...

'' (1963, 1 episode) as Wing Commander Battenby * ''

Walter and Connie Walter may refer to: People * Walter (name), both a surname and a given name * Little Walter, American blues harmonica player Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1968) * Gunther (wrestler), Austrian professional wrestler and trainer Walter Hahn (born 19 ...

'' (1963, 1 episode) as Mr. Johns * '' The Saint'' (1963, 1 episode) as Sir John Ripwell * '' The Plane Makers'' (1963, 2 episodes) as Keith Saville * '' Crane'' (1964, 1 episode) as Wolsey * '' The Hidden Truth'' (1964, 1 episode) as William Anstruthe * '' Here's Harry'' (1964, 1 episode) as Self * '' The Marriage Lines'' (1964, 1 episode) as Mr. Renfrew-Smith * '' The Man in Room 17'' (1965–1966, 26 episodes) as Edwin Oldenshaw * '' The Fellows'' (1967, 13 episodes) as Edwin Oldenshaw * '' ITV Playhouse'' (1967–1970, 3 episodes) as Multiple roles * '' Comedy Playhouse'' (1968, 1 episode) as Sir Reginald Polk-Mowbray * ''

Mystery and Imagination ''Mystery and Imagination'' is a British television anthology series of classic horror and supernatural dramas. Five series were broadcast from 1966 to 1970 by the ITV network and produced by ABC and (later) Thames Television. Outline The se ...

'' (1968, 1 episode) as Professor Krempe * ''

Harry Worth Harry Bourlon Illingsworth (20 November 1917 – 20 July 1989), professionally known as Harry Worth, was an English comedy actor, comedian and ventriloquist. Worth portrayed a charming, gentle and genial character, totally bemused by life, ...

'' (1968, 1 episode) as Mr. Gilmore * '' The Man in Room 17'' (1968–1972, 3 episodes) as Multiple roles * '' Thirty-Minute Theatre'' (1968, 1 episode) as Colonel O'Dwyer * ''

Journey to the Unknown ''Journey to the Unknown'' is a British anthology television series, produced by Hammer Film Productions and 20th Century Fox Television. It aired on ABC from September 26, 1968, to January 30, 1969.Department S'' (1969, 1 episode) as Colonel Loring * ''

W. Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...

'' (1969, 1 episode) as Lord Kastellan * ''

Fraud Squad A Fraud Squad is a police department which investigates fraud and other economic crimes. * Fraud squad (United Kingdom) * Garda Fraud Squad Fraud squad may also refer to: * Fraud Squad (duo), musical partnership between Daz Sampson and with ...

'' (1970, 1 episode) as Sir Roy Prentiss * ''

Biography A biography, or simply bio, is a detailed description of a person's life. It involves more than just the basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death; it portrays a person's experience of these life events. Unlike a profile or c ...

'' (1970, 1 episode) as Tycho Brahe * ''

UFO An unidentified flying object (UFO), more recently renamed by US officials as a UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon), is any perceived aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified or explained. On investigation, most UFOs are ide ...

'' (1971, 1 episode) as Stone * '' Seasons of the Year'' (1971, 1 episode) as Lord Rudge * ''

Paul Temple Paul Temple is a fictional character created by English writer Francis Durbridge. Temple is a professional author of crime fiction and an amateur private detective. With his wife Louise, affectionately known as 'Steve' in reference to her ...

'' (1971, 1 episode) as Carlton * ''

The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder ''The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder'' is a British television series which was originally broadcast on ITV in two series from 1969 to 1971. It is based on a series of novels and short stories written by Edgar Wallace featuring the character of J.G. R ...

'' (1971, 1 episode) as Major Olbude * '' Brett'' (1971, 1 episode) as Sutherland * '' Albert and Victoria'' (1971, 1 episode) as Mr. Ridley * ''

The Persuaders! ''The Persuaders!'' is an action-comedy series starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore, produced by ITC Entertainment, and initially broadcast on ITV and ABC in 1971. The show has been called 'the last major entry in the cycle of adventure ser ...

'' (1971, 1 episode) as Sir Maxwell Dean * '' The Guardians'' (1971, 1 episode) as Face * '' Hadleigh'' (1971–1976, 3 episodes) as Sir Geoffrey Osborne * ''

'' (1971, 5 episodes) as Admiral Croft * '' The Adventurer'' (1972, 1 episode) as Sir Richard McKenzie * '' Softly, Softly: Taskforce'' (1972, 1 episode) as Sir Ralph Townley * '' The Sextet'' (1972, 8 episodes) as Multiple roles * '' Man at the Top'' (1972, 2 episodes) as Lord Belmont * '' Between the Wars'' (1973, 1 episode) as Morton * '' Late Night Theatre'' (1973, 1 episode) as Morry Sheldon * ''

Special Branch Special Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security and intelligence in British, Commonwealth, Irish, and other police forces. A Special Branch unit acquires and develops intelligence, usu ...

'' (1973, 1 episode) as Townsend * '' Upstairs, Downstairs'' (1973, 2 episodes) as Major Cochrane-Danby * ''

Harriet's Back in Town ''Harriet's Back in Town'' is a 1972 British television series produced by Thames Television. The cast included Pauline Yates, William Russell, Edwin Richfield and Sally Bazely. The show featured a newly divorced woman (Harriet Preston, playe ...

'' (1973, 6 episodes) as Oliver Warburton * '' Dolly'' (1973, 2 episodes) as Mr. Hilary Musgrave * '' Dial M for Murder'' (1974, 1 episode) as The Chief * ''

Justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...

'' (1974, 1 episode) as Lord Tilling * ''

Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

'' (1974, 1 episode) as George Cornfield * ''

Village Hall A village hall is a public building in a village used for various things such as: United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, a village hall is usually a building which contains at least one large room (plus kitchen and toilets), is owned by a local ...

'' (1974, 1 episode) as Cedric Wellbeloved * '' Affairs of the Heart'' (1974, 1 episode) as Colonel Chart * ''

Edward the Seventh ''Edward the Seventh'' is a 1975 British historical drama series, made by ATV in 13 episodes. Based on the biography of King Edward VII by Philip Magnus, it starred Annette Crosbie as Queen Victoria, Timothy West as the elder Edward VII, w ...

'' (1975, 3 episodes) as Lord Salisbury * ''

Dawson's Weekly ''Dawson's Weekly'' is a British television series featuring seven half-hour comedy plays, written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and starring Les Dawson Leslie Dawson Jr. (2 February 1931 – 10 June 1993) was an English comedian, actor ...

'' (1975, 1 episode) as Solicitor * ''

The Duchess of Duke Street ''The Duchess of Duke Street'' is a BBC television drama series set in London between the late 1800s and 1925. It was created by John Hawkesworth, previously the producer of the ITV period drama '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. It starred Gemma ...

'' (1976–1977, 18 episodes) as Major Smith-Barton * '' Ripping Yarns'' (1976, 1 episode) as Lord Bartlesham * ''

The Cedar Tree ''The Cedar Tree'' was a television serial that ran from 1976 to 1979 on ITV in the United Kingdom. It involved the story of the upper class Bourne family before the turn of the Second World War. The main setting is Larkfield Manor, the famil ...

'' (1977, 2 episodes) as Lord Evelyn Forbes * '' Do You Remember?'' (1978, 1 episode) as Lord Greenham * ''

'' (1978–1980, 12 episodes) as Sir James Greenley / "C" * '' Yes Minister '' (1980–1981, 2 episodes) as Sir Desmond Glazebrook * ''

Bognor Bognor Regis (), sometimes simply known as Bognor (), is a town and seaside resort in West Sussex on the south coast of England, south-west of London, west of Brighton, south-east of Chichester and east of Portsmouth. Other nearby town ...

'' (1981, 6 episodes) as Lord Wharfedale * '' Roger Doesn't Live Here Anymore'' (1981, 1 episode) as Judge * ''

'' (1981, 2 episodes) as Slartibartfast * '' Legacy of Murder'' (1982, 6 episodes) as Roland Tolhurst * ''

L for Lester ''L for Lester'' is a BBC sitcom first broadcast in 1982, starring Brian Murphy. The programme followed the misfortunes of a small town driving instructor. It was intended as a new vehicle for Murphy after his previous hit show - ''George and Mi ...

'' (1982, 5 episodes) as Mr. Davies * ''

Something in Disguise Something may refer to: Philosophy and language *Something (concept) *Something, an English indefinite pronoun Music Albums * ''Something'' (Chairlift album), 2012 * ''Something'' (Shirley Bassey album), 1970 * ''Something'' (Shirley Scott a ...

'' (1982, 5 episodes) as Herbert Browne-Lacey * ''

Strangers A stranger is a person who is unknown to another person or group. Because of this unknown status, a stranger may be perceived as a threat until their identity and character can be ascertained. Different classes of strangers have been identified f ...

'' (1982, 1 episode) as Sir Geoffrey * ''

Nanny A nanny is a person who provides child care. Typically, this care is given within the children's family setting. Throughout history, nannies were usually servants in large households and reported directly to the lady of the house. Today, modern ...

'' (1982, 6 episodes) as Duke of Broughton * '' The Boy Who Won the Pools'' (1983, 2 episodes) as Sir Malvern West * '' Pig in the Middle'' (1983, 1 episode) as Lord Gathorne * '' Leaving'' (1984, 6 episodes) as Mr. Chessington * ''

Roll Over Beethoven "Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 hit song written by Chuck Berry, originally released on Chess Records single, with "Drifting Heart" as the B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to replace classi ...

'' (1985, 13 episodes) as Oliver Purcell * ''

Summer Season Summer is the hottest of the four temperate seasons, occurring after spring and before autumn. At or centred on the summer solstice, the earliest sunrise and latest sunset occurs, daylight hours are longest and dark hours are shortest, with ...

'' (1985, 1 episode) as Thompson * ''

Ladies in Charge ''Ladies in Charge'' is a British television series which originally aired on ITV in 1986.Maxford p.540 It followed on from a pilot episode that appeared on the ''Storyboard'' anthology series in 1985. Returning from the First World War where ...

'' (1986, 1 episode) as Lord Brampton * '' Lytton's Diary'' (1986, 1 episode) as Duncan Anderson * '' Paradise Postponed'' (1986, 9 episodes) as Sir Nicholas Fanner * '' Chance in a Million'' (1986, 1 episode) as Uncle Evelyn * ''

The Return of the Antelope ''The Return of the Antelope'' was a UK TV series aired on ITV between 1986 and 1988. It was a children's fantasy series about two English children, circa 1899, who befriend a group of shipwrecked Lilliputians. Production *Producer/Director: E ...

'' (1986–1988, 13 episodes) as Mr. Garstanton * ''

Last of the Summer Wine ''Last of the Summer Wine'' is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke and originally broadcast by the BBC from 1973 to 2010. It premiered as an episode of '' Comedy Playhouse'' on 4 January 1973, and the first series of episodes f ...

'' (1987, 1 episode) as The Vicar * ''

'' (1987, 1 episode) as Sir Desmond Glazebrook * '' Hot Metal'' (1988, 1 episode) as Lord Gilbert * ''

A Gentleman's Club A Gentleman's Club is a British television sitcom broadcast in the UK on BBC2 between September–October 1988. Set in the fictional Albany Club in London, the series dealt with the changes afoot when the club was forced to move with the times a ...

'' (1988, 6 episodes) as George * '' Casualty'' (1988, 1 episode) as Dr. Richard Payton * '' Helping Henry'' (1988, 6 episodes) as Cosmic 1 * '' The Storyteller'' (1988, 1 episode) as King * '' About Face'' (1989, 1 episode) as Bingham * '' KYTV'' (1992, 1 episode) as Chester Chuckles * '' The Camomile Lawn'' (1992, 2 episodes) as General Peachum * '' Rumpole of the Bailey'' (1992, 1 epsidoe) as Lionel Leering * ''

Bonjour la Classe ''Bonjour la Classe'' is a British television comedy series which was broadcast on BBC1 in the beginning of 1993. Created and written by Paul Smith and Terry Kyan, the series centred on Laurence Didcott, a new teacher of French at the fictional ...

'' (1993, 1 episode) as Sir Lionel * ''

You Rang, M'Lord? ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' is a BBC television sitcom written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the creators of ''Dad's Army''. It was broadcast between 1990 and 1993 on the BBC (although there had earlier been a pilot episode in 1988). The show was s ...

'' (1993, 1 episode) as The Earl of Swaffham * ''

The Return of the Borrowers ''The Return of the Borrowers'' is a BBC TV children's programme first broadcast in 1993 on BBC2 and then later on American television station TNT. The series is adapted from the third and fourth novels of author Mary Norton's ''The Borrower ...

'' (1993, 3 episodes) as Mr. Pott * '' Rides'' (1993, 1 episode) as Arthur Copthorne * ''

Frank Stubbs Promotes ''Frank Stubbs Promotes'' (alternative title: Frank Stubbs) is a British comedy drama series by Simon Nye, that starred Timothy Spall, Lesley Sharp, Danniella Westbrook, Choy-Ling Man, Anne Jameson, Nick Reding, Trevor Cooper and Roy Marsden. Tw ...

'' (1994, 1 episode) as Lord Dunstable * ''

'' (1994, 1 episode) as Roger Nettleton * ''

Class Act ''Class Act'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Randall Miller and starring hip-hop duo Kid 'n Play. An urban retelling of Mark Twain's ''The Prince and the Pauper'', the film was written by Cynthia Friedlob and John Semper from a stor ...

'' (1994–1995, 14 episodes) as Sir Horace Mainwaring

References

External links

*
Obituary
''The Independent''
Rogues & Vagabonds
daughter Sarah's theatre site {{DEFAULTSORT:Vernon, Richard 1925 births 1997 deaths English male stage actors English male film actors English male radio actors English male television actors People from Reading, Berkshire Neurological disease deaths in England Deaths from Parkinson's disease Male actors from London Alumni of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Royal Navy personnel of World War II People educated at Reading School People educated at Leighton Park School 20th-century English male actors