Desmond Morgan Barrit (born Desmond Brown; 19 October 1944 – 21 March 2026) was a British actor, best known for his stage work.
Life and career Desmond Brown was born in Morriston, near Swansea in the historic county of Glamorgan on 19 October 1944. His start as a professional actor was late, having spent early adulthood working as an accountant and in amateur theatre. When he acquired an Equity card in the mid-1970s, he had to change his name, since Desmond Brown was already taken. An early screen role for Barrit came in Alice through the Looking Glass (1998), in which he played Humpty Dumpty.
In 2003, he played Shylock in the Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, while in 2007, he appeared in The History Boys at Wyndham's Theatre portraying the general studies teacher, Hector, made famous by Richard Griffiths in the film version.
In 2004, in a limited-run revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Royal National Theatre Barrit played Pseudolus opposite Philip Quast as Miles Gloriosus, Hamish McColl as Hysterium and Isla Blair as Domina (who had previously played Philia in the 1963 production).Inverne, James. "Thoroughly Modern Millie Closes in London as New Musicals Prepare to Open". Playbill, 7 June 2004, accessed 25 December 2016 The production was nominated for the 2005 Olivier Award, Outstanding Musical Production."Olivier Winners, 2005". olivierawards.com, accessed 27 December 2016
In January 2007, he played Raymond Clandillon in Midsomer Murders (series 10; episode 7: "They Seek Him Here"). On 7 July 2008, he took over the role of The Wizard from Nigel Planer in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Originally set to begin 9 June, his performance had to be postponed as he had to undergo an operation.
Beginning 12 December 2011, he returned to Wicked, reprising his role of the Wizard, taking over from Clive Carter. He ended his third return engagement with the show on 7 July 2012 (four years after his debut), and was replaced three weeks later by Keith Bartlett.
In 2014, he appeared as Michaud in Helen Edmundson's adaptation of Therese Raquin at the Theatre Royal, Bath. Death Barrit died at his home in Islington, London, on 21 March 2026, at the age of 81.
Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes 1984 Lassiter Cop 1 1992 Rebecca's Daughters Jack Wet Homer and His Pigeons Des 1996 A Midsummer Night's Dream Nick Bottom 1997 Daylight Robbery Kesso Short film 1998 St. Ives Biggerstaff
Television Year Film Role Notes 1979 Follow the Star Shepherd Television film 1987 Valentine Park Vicar Episode: #1.1 1989 Great Expectations Jagger's Client Mini-series; episode 2 Somewhere to Run Bus Conductor Television film 1990 A Kind of Living Vicar Episode: #3.1 1991 The Bill Dando Episode: "Jobs for the Boys" Agatha Christie's Poirot Samuel Naughton Episode: "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor" The Lisa Maxwell Show Guest Episode: #1.2 1992 The Old Devils Tarquin Jones Mini-series; episodes 1–3 Boon Father McShane Episode: "Away from It All" 1995 Pirates Bogus Malarky Episode: "Gran's Back!" 1996 Dalziel and Pascoe Henry Saltcombe Episode: "An Advancement of Learning" 1997 True Tilda Mr. Mortimer Unknown episodes 1998 Alice Through the Looking Glass Humpty Dumpty Television film The Bill Mr. Pierson Episode: "S.A.D." 1999 Oliver Twist Flinders Mini-series; episode 2 A Christmas Carol Ghost of Christmas Present Television film 2000 Madame Bovary Guillaumin 2-part television film 2002 Midsomer Murders Jonathan Eckersley-Hyde Episode: "Murder on St. Malley's Day" Young Arthur Bullwhit Television films 2007 Northanger Abbey Mr. Allen Midsomer Murders Raymond Clandillon Episode: "They Seek Him Here" 2008 Zip and Hollow Harry Television films 2009 The Fairy Queen Basses / Bottom 2014 Endeavour Stephen Fitzowen Episode: "Nocturne" 2015 Holby City 'Aubrey' Alan Bacon Episode: "Bad Blood, Fake Snow" 2021 It's a Sin Timothy Mottram Mini-series; episode 4
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