MICHAEL JOHN ELPHICKMichael Elphick, who died on 7 September,2002, at the age of 55, was an English actor best known for his leading rolesin the ITV series ‘Boon’ and popular London soap opera ‘EastEnders’.An intelligent and masterly screen actor, MrElphick also had a successful career on the stage, starring in Tony Richardson’s ‘Hamlet’ on Broadway and, later, Richard Eyre’s version at theRoyal Court.His trademark croaky voice and rugged facewon him the hearts of millions but, underneath it all, there was a highly-publicisedaddiction to alcohol which he often struggled to bring under control.“Michael has been a great friend and mentorfor many years,” commented ‘Boon’ co-star Neil Morrissey on hearing news of hisdeath. “He’s one of the best actors this country has produced and he will besadly missed.”Michael John Elphick was born on 19September, 1946, in West Sussex, England. After initially considering joiningthe Merchant Navy, he left school at 15 to take a job as an apprenticeelectrician at the Chichester Festival Theatre. There, amongst stars such asMichael Redgrave and Laurence Olivier, he gained an interest in acting anddecided to train at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama.Upon graduating, the young Mr Elphick was soonoffered roles in a number of productions, mainly as menacing heavies. “Iwouldn’t like to have a typical romantic-hero face,” he later commented,“because those roles can be so dull.”He made his screen debut in the 1968Italian-made First World War film ‘Fraulein Doktor’ and went on to playbit-parts in cult movies such as ‘The First Great Train Robbery’ and ‘TheElephant Man’ during the 1970s.Television, too, saw Mr Elphick become afamiliar face with brief appearances in ‘Coronation Street’, ‘The Sweeney’ and‘The Professionals’. However, it was Jack Pulman’s 1981 drama ‘Private Schultz’which ultimately sealed his popularity, as a German soldier conscripted intothe SS during World War Two.His biggest television success undoubtablycame in 1986, as a retired fireman in the popular ITV drama series ‘Boon’which, altogether, ran for seven series.The 1990s saw further film roles in ‘TheKrays’ and ‘Let Him Have It’, while on television he shone as a former FleetStreet journalist in the BBC series ‘Harry’.Mr Elphick was cast in the long-running BBCsoap opera ‘Eastenders’ in 2001 and it is surely for his powerful portrayal ofrapist Harry Slater which he will remain best remembered today. Indeed, it was tobe his last major role before a heart attack finally took his life on 7September, 2002, aged 55.Mr Elphick appeared in 1987’s ‘Withnail and I’free of charge, having been friends with writer, actor and director BruceRobinson at the Central School of Speech and Drama.Whilst working at the Chichester FestivalTheatre as a young teen, he was reportedly urged by Laurence Olivier himself toattend drama school. Olivier even provided him with two speeches to use atauditions.Mr Elphick’s performance in the 1985 film‘Gorky Park’ earned the actor a BAFTA nomination for best supporting actor.
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