Dinsdale James Landen (4 September 1932 – 29 December 2003) was an English actor. His television appearances included starring in the shows Devenish (1977) and Pig in the Middle (1980). The Independent named him an "outstanding actor with the qualities of a true farceur". He performed in many Shakespeare plays at Stratford-upon-Avon and Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
Early life Landen was born in Margate, Kent, and educated at King's School, Rochester.
Career Landen made his television debut in 1959 as the adult Pip in an adaptation of Great Expectations and made his film debut in 1960 with a walk-on part in The League of Gentlemen.
During the 1960s he starred in the TV series Mickey Dunne and The Mask of Janus and its spinoff series The Spies. In 1969, he starred as Chris Champers in the comedy series World in Ferment. As a stage actor he appeared as Richard Dazzle in the RSC's 1970 production of London Assurance. He appeared in James Saunders's play Bodies in the West End in 1979, receiving a nomination for a Society of West End Theatre Award.
His film roles include appearances in Operation Snatch (1962), A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964), Rasputin, the Mad Monk (1966), Mosquito Squadron (1969), Every Home Should Have One (1970), Young Winston (1972), Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World (1973), International Velvet (1978), Morons from Outer Space (1985) and both The Buccaneers and The Steal in 1995.
On radio he appeared as General Bel Riose in the 1973 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of The Foundation Trilogy, as Dr Watson in the 1974 adaptation of A Study in Scarlet and Art Gordo in the 1976 adaptation of Jim Eldridge's novel Down Payment on Death. He portrayed Rupert Purvis in the 1982 production of Tom Stoppard's play The Dog It Was That Died and played the urbane Ambassador McKenzie in the BBC Radio 4 series Flying the Flag.
He played Dr Mark Thorn, Guardians officer and official psychiatrist, in Episode 6 of the 1971 London Weekend Television series The Guardians.
Landen was the only actor to play the same character, private detective Matthew Earp, in two episodes of Thriller ("An Echo of Theresa" and "The Next Scream You Hear" from 1973 and 1974 respectively). He appeared in The Glittering Prizes (1976) as Gavin Pope.
In 1977 Landen starred in his own situation comedy, Devenish, playing a Basil Fawlty-type character in a Reggie Perrin-type situation, designing board games. In 1980 he starred as Barty Wade in the television series Pig in the Middle with Liza Goddard.
In 1984 Landen played Jean-Martin Charcot in the television series Freud.
In 1987 he played the lead in a BBC TV production of What the Butler Saw, playing Dr Prentice in a production also featuring Prunella Scales, Timothy West and Bryan Pringle.
In 1989 he made a guest appearance in Doctor Who as Dr Judson, a wheelchair-using genius taken over by the titular villain of the serial The Curse of Fenric.
In 1992 Landen provided the voice of the arch villain Mr Tod in the BBC/Fuji Television children's animated series The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends. He played a recurring role in Lovejoy, a mentor to the main character during the series run in the 1990s.
Personal life Landen was married to the actress Jennifer Daniel. He and his wife wrote the 1985 nonfiction book The True Story of H.P. Sauce.
Death Landen died at his home in South Creake, Norfolk, on 29 December 2003 after becoming ill with pneumonia. He had been diagnosed with oral cancer several years before his death, but was in remission at the time.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1960 The League of Gentlemen Young man in gym receiving instruction from Stevens Film debut, uncredited1962 The Valiant Norris Operation Snatch Capt. Wellington We Joined the Navy Bowles 1964 A Jolly Bad Fellow Fred 1966 The SpiesRichard CadellBBC 1 drama series 1966 Rasputin, the Mad Monk Peter 1966 Jackanory StorytellerMinnow on the Say by Philippa Pearce 1967 Mickey Dunne Mickey13 episodes1969World in FermentChris ChampersBBC2 series, 6 episodes 1969 Mosquito Squadron Wing Commander Clyde Penrose 1970 Every Home Should Have One Geoffrey Mellish 1972 Young Winston Capt. Weaver 1973 Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World Colonel Masters 1973 Jackanory Storyteller1 episode: Pippi Longstocking stories Pippi Goes Aboard: Pippi Longstocking Gives a Party1973 Jackanory Storyteller5 episodes: An Older Kind of Magic by Patricia Wrightson 1973–1974 Thriller Matthew Earp 2 episodes 1974 Rooms Ron 2 episodes, S1 E30 & E31 1975 Jackanory Storyteller Snatched by Richard Parker 1976 The Glittering Prizes Gavin Pope Episode 5 ‘An Academic Life’ 1978 International Velvet Mr Curtis 1984 Freud Charcot Miniseries 1985 Morons from Outer Space Commander Grenville Matteson 1989 Doctor Who Dr Judson Episode: The Curse of Fenric 1990 All Creatures Great and Small Stewie Brannan Episode: Food for Thought 1993–1994 Lovejoy Jim Leonard 2 episodes 1993–1995 The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends Mr Tod (voice) 2 episodes 1995 The Steal Sir Wilmot Final film
References
External links
Independent obituary