American actor (b. 1945)
Michael Brandon (born Michael Feldman ; April 20, 1945)[ 1] is an American actor. He is known for his role as James Dempsey in the British drama series Dempsey and Makepeace (1985–1986) and narrating the American dub of the children's television series Thomas & Friends (2003–2012). His theatre credits include the original Broadway production of Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? (1969), and Jerry Springer in the West End production of Jerry Springer: The Opera (2003–2004).
Early life
Brandon was born Michael Feldman in Brooklyn , New York on April 20, 1945, to Miriam (née Tumen) and Sol Feldman.[ 1] [ 2] At age nine, he and his family moved to Valley Stream, New York , where he attended Memorial Junior High and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School . Brandon then attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his debut on Broadway before turning to cinema.[ 3] He is of Jewish heritage.[ 4]
Career
Brandon starred in the TV series Dempsey and Makepeace and Dinotopia , the movies Quattro mosche di velluto grigio (1971), F.M. (1978), A Vacation In Hell (1979) and A Change of Seasons (1980), and the plays Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and Jerry Springer - The Opera .
Since moving to the UK, Brandon has worked in television shows such as The Bill , Trial & Retribution , and Dead Man Weds . He also played the title role in the musical Jerry Springer: The Opera for over a year in the National Theatre and after its transfer into the West End. Brandon starred in Singin' in the Rain in the summer of 2012.
In 2003, he became the fourth American narrator and Alec Baldwin 's replacement from the seventh through the sixteenth seasons of the children's television series Thomas & Friends and has also narrated four of the CGI film specials, including Hero of the Rails , Misty Island Rescue , Day of the Diesels , and Blue Mountain Mystery , until departing from the role in 2012.[ 5] In February 2008, he began his talk radio show on City Talk (now Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West ), a new local radio station in Liverpool .[ 6] In 2008, he appeared in the Series 4 finale of the BBC's Doctor Who , as General Sanchez, a UNIT officer. Also in 2008, he appeared in the television series Bones , as Roger Frampton, an American millionaire.
In 2011, Brandon guest-starred in an episode of the BBC1 con drama Hustle as Marcus Wendell (series 7, episode 3). Also in 2011, he was seen in a supporting role in the film Captain America: The First Avenger as a politician who befriends the titular character. In September 2013 he appeared in the ITV dancing show Stepping Out with wife Glynis Barber. In 2017, he collaborated with producer/director Guy Masterson to create his autobiographical stand-up comedy, Off Ramps which hit at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2022, he appeared in an episode of Casualty on BBC1.
Personal life
Brandon lived with actress Kim Novak for 18 months in 1973–74.[ 7] Brandon was married to actress Lindsay Wagner from 1976 to 1979.[ 2] He has been married to actress Glynis Barber , with whom he co-starred in Dempsey & Makepeace , since 18 November 1989.[ 2] They remain in the United Kingdom.[ 2] The couple have a son.[ 7]
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
Theatre
Year
Title
Role
Notes
Ref.
1967
Under the Yum Yum Tree
Lead
Barn Dinner Theater
[ 12]
1968
The Rainmaker
Jim Curry
Barn Dinner Theater
1969
Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?
Prince
Belasco Theater , Broadway
1979
Lady and the Clarinet
Jack
Long Wharf Theatre
1992
The Writing Game
Leo Rafkin
Manhattan Theater
1999
Speed the Plow
Cox
The Royal Lincoln
2000
The Adjustment
Matt
Guildford's YvonneArnaud Theatre, National tour
2003–2004
Jerry Springer: The Opera
Jerry Springer
National Theatre / Cambridge, West End
2007
On the Waterfront
Charlie
Hackney Empire Theatre
2010
Wet Weather Cover
Brad
Kings Head / Arts Theatre, West End
2011–2012
Singing in the Rain
R.F. Simpson
Palace Theatre , London
2014
The Long Road South
Jake Price
Hope Theatre , London
2016
Off The Kings Road
—
Jermyn Street Theatre, London
2016
Carry On Chilcot
—
Duke of Wales, London
2017
All My Sons
—
Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong
2017
Off Ramps - A Stand-Up Story
—
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe
2018
Local Hero
Mark Knopfler
Workshop, Mark Knopfler
2019
Other People's Money
—
Southwark, Part of Jorgy Jorgensen
2019
Roman Holiday
—
Shanghai Theatre Festival
2019
White Christmas
—
Dominion Theatre , West End
2021
Straight White Men
—
References
^ a b c "The Jerry Springer rollercoaster" . The Telegraph . October 14, 2003. Retrieved March 11, 2017 .
^ a b c d "Michael Brandon Biography (1945-)" . www.filmreference.com .
^ Films and Filming . Hansom Books. 1973. p. 67.
^ Leslie Bunder (3 August 2007), "Meet Michael Brandon" ,SomethingJewish . Retrieved 8 December 2018.
^ Thur Starr (July 19, 2007). " 'Thomas' has new friend in Brosnan" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 13, 2022 .
^ "Radio City Talk - Rock, Sport & Talk" . Radio City Talk .
^ a b "Biography" Official website
^ "Film Credits" . michaelbrandon.net . Retrieved April 6, 2023 .
^ a b c "Voice Credits" . michaelbrandon.net . Retrieved April 6, 2023 .
^ "Television Credits" . michaelbrandon.net . Retrieved April 6, 2023 .
^ Home Fires . USA: IMDb. 1992.
^ "Stage Credits" . michaelbrandon.net . Retrieved April 6, 2023 .
External links
International National Artists Other