Bernard Cribbins, the beloved veteran actor, has died aged 93, just months after losing his wife of 66 years, Gillian. Gavin Barker Associates issued an official statement announcing the death of the actor. The notice states:
“Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE dies aged 93.” His career spanned seven decades, with work spanning from films such as The Railway Children and the Carry On series, to the popular 60s song Right Said Fred, to the infamous guest on Fawlty Towers and the narrator of The Wombles.”
It went on to say:
“He worked well into his 90s, most recently in Doctor Who and the CBeebies show Old Jack’s Boat.” He lost his wife of 66 years, Gill, last year.”
Cribbins was one of the best performers of his time, the statement said, and his departure will be felt by his colleagues and associates:
“Bernard’s importance to British entertainment is undeniable.” He was one of a kind, embodying the best of his era, and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”
“Every night, doctor, when it gets dark and the stars come up… I’ll look up at the sky and think of you.”
Bernard Cribbins (1928-2022) ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/8JwzRZOeDh
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) July 28, 2022
Bernard Cribbins’ career spanned seven decades and established him as one of Hollywood’s most respected performers. In recent years, the British actor has gained wide recognition for his role as Wilfred Mott in the famous science fiction series Doctor Who.
The role of Bernard Cribbins in Doctor Who
After years of success in Hollywood, Bernard Cribbins remains popular with Doctor Who fans for his latest portrayal of Wilfred Mott, with David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Cribbins originally appeared as Tom Campbell in the Doctor Who world in Daleks’ Invasion of Earth 2150 AD in 1966. According to reports, the actor was considered for the role of the Fourth Doctor, but was ultimately turned down.
He eventually returned to the brand in the Doctor Who revival series as Wilfred Mott, father of Sylvia Noble and grandfather of Donna Noble, the Tenth Doctor’s companion. Mott made his debut on the program in the 2007 Christmas episode of Voyage of the Damned. Cribbins reprized his role as Mott in the episodes Partners in Crime, The Sontaran Stratagem, The Poison Sky, Turn Left, The Stolen Earth and Journey’s End, all of which aired in 2008. Mott’s character was an atheist who helped keep his granddaughter’s experiences as the Doctor’s companion hidden from her mother.
Wilfred Mott was also the Tenth Doctor’s final companion in the 2009 two-part adventure The End of Time. Cribbins was one of the few performers to appear in both the 1960s Doctor Who film and the revived TV series, and was the only actor to portray two different companions in two separate media. Cribbins was reportedly 80 years old when the 2009 episode was filmed, making him the oldest actor to play a companion. Earlier this year he was seen filming Doctor Who in a wheelchair, reprising his role as Wilfred Mott for the show’s 60th anniversary.
A look back at Bernard Cribbins’ most memorable roles over the years.
Bernard Cribbins was an English actor and singer who spent more than seven decades in Hollywood. He made his television debut in the 1956 production of David Copperfield and later became known for his appearances in the Carry On series, The Railway Children, Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who and as the narrator in The Wombles. Cribbins played Midshipman Albert Poop-Decker in 1964’s Carry On Jack and Harold Crump (Bluebottle) in Caring On Spying. In 1992, he returned to the film series as Mordecai Mendoza in Carry On Columbus.
Subsequently, he played the famous station porter Albert Perks in the 1970 British drama The Railway Children, the bartender Felix Forsythe in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1972 film Fury, and the hotel visitor Mr. Hutchinson in the 1975 episode of The Hotel Inspectors of Fawlty Towers. Between 1966 and 1991 Cribbins was a frequent reader on the BBC children’s TV program Jackanory, and between 1973 and 1975 he was the narrator of the popular children’s show The Wombles.
The legend is also known for portraying the title character in the CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat from 2013 to 2015, as well as his recurring role as Wilfred Mott in Doctor Who. Bernard Cribbins was also awarded an OBE in 2011 for his services to theater during his long career.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education