Ian McCulloch (born 18 November 1939) is a Scottish actor. He is best known for his starring role as Greg Preston in the post-apocalyptic television drama Survivors (1975–77), and for his work in Italian horror cinema.
Early life and education Born in Glasgow in 1939, McCulloch fulfilled his National Service in the British Army before enrolling at the University of Oxford. He recalled in a 2003 interview, "At University I couldn't get any parts and actually did more opera than acting. I did go to the Edinburgh Fringe in 1960 and then directed a college production of The Government Inspector." Upon graduating, he was offered a contract with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Career
Theatre McCulloch made his Royal Shakespeare debut in the 1962 season. He made his West End debut in Richard III in 1964. That same year, he played Captain Macheath in The Beggar's Opera at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. During the following decades he appeared in various stage productions, including a starring role as Martin Dysart in Equus at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.
Survivors McCulloch debuted in the second episode, "Genesis", of Survivors and went on to appear regularly throughout the first two series, leaving the show in its third and final series, only appearing in Episodes 2 and 10. He reprised his role in the 2014-17 Big Finish Productions audio drama continuation.
Other film and television roles Over the years, McCulloch has had supporting roles in studio films like Where Eagles Dare (1968) with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, and Cromwell (1970) with Alec Guinness and Richard Harris. In addition, he has appeared in successful independent films, most notably The Ghoul (1975) with Peter Cushing and John Hurt.
McCulloch has also guest starred in many TV series, including: Manhunt (1969); Colditz (1974), as the mysterious Larry Page in "Odd Man In"; Secret Army (1977); Return of the Saint (1978); Hammer House of Horror (1980); The Professionals (1980), episode "Mixed Doubles", in which he played the physical fitness and close quarters combat instructor of Bodie and Doyle; and the Doctor Who serial Warriors of the Deep (1984).
He also starred in the Italian horror films Zombie Flesh Eaters also known as Zombi II (1979) by Lucio Fulci, Zombi Holocaust (1980) by Marino Girolami, and Contamination (1980) by Luigi Cozzi. Zombie Flesh Eaters was originally banned in the United Kingdom as part of the 1980s campaign against "video nasties". McCulloch stated that he did not see the film in its entirety, or on a big screen, until years later.
Personal life McCulloch's brother Andrew (b. 1945) is a television writer and actor.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Director Notes 1967 It! Det. WayneHerbert J. Leder 1968 Where Eagles Dare German OfficerBrian G. Hutton 1970 Cromwell John HampdenKen Hughes 1971 I, Monster Man at BarStephen Weeks 1974 Soft Beds, Hard Battles Col. BraunRoy Boulting 1975 The Ghoul GeoffreyFreddie Francis 1979 Zombie Flesh Eaters Peter WestLucio FulciOriginal Italian title: Zombi 2 1980 Zombie Holocaust Peter ChandlerMarino GirolamiOriginal Italian title: Zombi Holocaust Contamination Ian HubbardLuigi Cozzi 1982 Moonlighting Boss LookalikeJerzy Skolimowski 2013 Behind the Scenes of Total Hell: The Jamie Gunn Chronicles Charles LeesonAndy Wilton
Television +YearTitleRoleNotes1967The Revenue MenMajor CrossEpisode: "Deadly Cargo"Man in a SuitcaseKempEpisode: "Sweet Sue"1968The Flight of the HeronEwen Cameron2 episodes1969The BorderersRobin Graham5 Episodes 1970ManhuntDavid Mainwaring2 episodesDr. Finlay's CasebookWillie / Andie WatsonMenaceCroxleyEpisode: "The Innocent"1971The Search for the NileCapt. James Grant3 Episodes1973Crown CourtThe Rev. Frank WarrenderEpisode: "R v Brewer and Brewer"1974ColditzLarry PageEpisode: "Odd Man In"The Aweful Mr. GoodallHenry MullardEpisode: "Loyalty in My Honor"Sutherland's LawPharic McFeeEpisode: "Just a Little Death"1975The Nearly ManPeter Richards5 episodes1975–77SurvivorsGreg PrestonSeries 1-3Also writer; 3 episodes1977Secret ArmyMalaudEpisode: "Child's Play"1978Return of the SaintInspector StoneEpisode: "The Arrangement"1979Running BlindJack Case2 episodes1980Hammer House of HorrorDr. Charles HendersonEpisode: "Witching Time"Lady KillersJohn InglisEpisode: "Miss Madeleine Smith"The ProfessionalsMacklinEpisode: "Mixed Doubles"1981DiamondsBarry Coleman12 episodes1983–84Take The High RoadDerek Conway23 episodes1984Doctor WhoNilsonSerial: "Warriors of the Deep"1985Dempsey and MakepeaceArchie McAllisterEpisode: "Given to Acts of Violence"BergeracWalt MitchellEpisode: "Off Shore Trades"1988BrooksideMorrison2 episodes1989Children's WardDr. McKeown12 episodes1990TaggartDonald Gillan / Donald Martin2 episodes1991Agatha Christie's PoirotJonathan MaltraversEpisode: "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor"City LightsDr. ShepherdEpisode: "The Haunting of Willie Melvin"1994The Tales of Para HandyLaird FergussonEpisode: "Para Handy, Poacher"
Audio +YearTitleVoice roleNotes2014–17SurvivorsGreg Preston14 episodes
References
External links
Ian McCulloch at Theatricalia