Patrick Macnee 1922-2015
British actor Patrick Macnee, best known as dapper secret agent John Steed in the 1960s spy series "The Avengers" (left), died at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on June 25, 2015. He was 93.
Portrait
Daniel Patrick Macnee was born in London on Feb. 6, 1922. Studying acting, he was an extra in the Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger film, "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp," before serving in World War II.
After the war he graduated from drama school, and found much work in Canada and the United States. Early film appearances include Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet," the Alastair Sim version of "A Christmas Carol," "Les Girls" and "Pursuit of the Graf Spee."
He was also featured in "The Twilight Zone," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," and in British TV productions of "Wuthering Heights" and "The Winter's Tale."
He also appeared on Broadway in an Old Vic production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (and would return to New York in the early 1970s in the thriller, "Sleuth").
"The Avengers"
In 1961 Brian Clemens created "The Avengers," a spy series for British television, starring Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Ian Hendry as Dr. David Keel. Shot on videotape, only a few episodes are known to survive.
"The Avengers"
Patrick Macnee as John Steed starred opposite Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale in seasons two and three of "The Avengers" (1962-64).
"The Avengers"
Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman in "The Avengers." As was the case with the show's first year, the Cathy Gale episodes were shot on videotape. Although the tapes were wiped, the episodes survive today as 16mm kinescopes.
Blackman left after the third season to star as Pussy Galore in the James Bond film, "Goldfinger."
"The Avengers"
"Mrs. Peel, We're Needed"
The first episodes of "The Avengers" to be shot on film (and thus sold in the U.S.) featured John Steed's next partner, Mrs. Emma Peel, played by another future Bond girl, Diana Rigg. Their easy chemistry, the charmingly humorous plots, and the "Swinging London" vibe helped make the show a cult classic.
"The Avengers"
Some of the violence and somewhat risque situations (considered too much for U.S. TV in the 1960s) kept several Emma Peel episodes off the air in the United States, though they later turned up in syndication.
"The Avengers"
John Steed rescues Emma Peel (who is tied to a tiny railroad track) in "The Avengers" episode, "The Gravediggers."
"The Avengers"
Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee in "The Avengers."
"The Avengers"
John Steed (Patrick Macnee) gives a bad guy what-for in "The Avengers."
"The Avengers"
Patrick Macnee and Emma Peel in "The Avengers."
"The Avengers"
Actor Patrick Macnee in a vintage car on the set of the television series, "The Avengers," in 1967.
"The Avengers"
After two seasons, Diana Rigg left the show, to be replaced by Linda Thorson as Tara King.
"The Avengers"
Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Linda Thorson as Tara King (who appreciates the reflective nature of her weapon) in "The Avengers."
"The Avengers"
Linda Thorson and Patrick Macnee in the sixth and final season of "The Avengers" (1968-69).
"The New Avengers"
In 1976 Macnee revived the John Steed character in the series, "The New Avengers," featuring Joanna Lumley (pre-"Absolutely Fabulous") and Gareth Hunt as his accomplices in combating Nazis, super computers, robots and even a giant rat.
"Sherlock Holmes in New York"
Patrick Macnee played Dr. Watson opposite Roger Moore as Arthur Conan Doyle's detective in the 1976 TV movie, "Sherlock Holmes in New York" (with Charlotte Rampling).
In 1991 Macnee again played Watson opposite Christopher Lee's Holmes in "Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady."
"Battlestar Galactica"
As well as being the narrator of the 1977-78 TV series "Battlestar Galactica," Patrick Macnee appeared as Count Iblis, whose true nature is revealed in the two-part episode, "War of the Gods."
"The Howling"
Patrick Macnee is a therapist who prescribes to his patients a visit to "The Colony" - an isolated resort inhabited by werewolves! - in Joe Dante's horror film, "The Howling" (1981).
"A View To A Kill"
Patrick Macnee, who appeared with his "Sherlock Holmes" costar Roger Moore in "The Sea Wolves," was also featured in Moore's final James Bond film, "A View To A Kill" (1985), playing horse trainer and espionage assistant Sir Godfrey Tibbett.
"This Is Spinal Tap"
Patrick Macnee played Sir Denis Eton-Hogg, head of Polymer Records, in the mock-umentary "This Is Spinal Tap" (1984). Also pictured: Tony Hendra (far left), Harry Shearer (seated, left), Michael McKean (second from right), and Christopher Guest (far right).
"Rosamund Pilcher's Nancherrow"
Joanna Lumley and Patrick Macnee reteamed in the 1999 British TV movie, "Nancherrow," based on the Rosamunde Pilcher novel.
Steed, John Steed
Patrick Macnee as John Steed.
When asked in a 1999 newspaper interview why "The Avengers" has maintained its popularity so many years later, he replied, "It's a very simple reason: It's extremely good. I feel very justified and delighted in seeing after all these years that the show works."
For more info:
The Avengers Forever! (fan site)
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan