Topic: Chief Inspector Wexford star George Baker dies aged 80

[Simon]

Actor George Baker, who starred as Chief Inspector Wexford in TV's The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, has died.

The 80-year-old, from West Lavington, Wiltshire, died of pneumonia on Friday after a recent stroke.

Although Wexford was probably his most famous role, Baker's repertoire included comedy, drama, soap operas and science fiction over six decades.

He appeared in The Dam Busters and the TV series I, Claudius, and was once suggested for the role of James Bond.

Baker was married three times and leaves five daughters and a number of grandchildren.

Speaking to the BBC, his daughter Ellie Baker said of her father: "He absolutely loved Wexford and he loved being Wexford... and he loved the whole thing. It was a joy to him."

She went on to say even though Ian Fleming had said he wanted her father to play James Bond, it was "probably a very good thing" he was tied into a contract and unable to do so.

"He enjoyed being a character actor, being broad and having the chance to do so many different roles, and perhaps if he'd done that one he would have got typecast," she said.

His third wife, who died earlier this year, was Louie Ramsey, who played his wife Dora in the Ruth Rendell Mysteries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15225021

[Clive]

Mrs Clive is very sad.    

[Rik]

He's another of those 'been in everything' actors, isn't he.

[Clive]

Yes,I was surprised to learn he played the part of Tiberius in I Claudius. 

[Simon]

I was surprised he was that old.  He didn't look it.

[Clive]

He did when he played Tiberius in 1976 or whenever.   

[Simon]

[GillE]

Tiberius was born in AD14.  He should have looked old if an actor was playing him in 1976  .

George Baker was fabulous in I, Claudius.  When you look at the cast of that series, it's a Who's Who of the cream of British acting in the 1970s and it's only right that Mr Baker should be present in that roll call.

[Rik]

It was also a fabulous series.

[Clive]

It was the blockbuster of its day.   

[Rik]

Shame about the technology in use, it dates it horribly.

[GillE]

Good acting, good production and a good script doesn't need good production technology.  Good technology helps, of course, but even bad technology can't defeat a good programme.  Look at the number of children who hid behind sofas in the sixties and seventies when Doctor Who was on.  Yet the production technology was definitely tacky.

[Simon]

I remember being hooked on I, Claudius, but I wasn't allowed to watch Doctor Who in the early 70s. 

[Rik]

Good acting, good production and a good script doesn't need good production technology.  Good technology helps, of course, but even bad technology can't defeat a good programme.

I agree, Gill, but I do find the camera trails off-putting.

[Rik]

I remember being hooked on I, Claudius, but I wasn't allowed to watch Doctor Who in the early 70s. 

I'm surprised you were allowed to watch some episodes of Clavdivs.