James Hazeldine, actor, aged 55
Michael Rhodes
illness, aged 55.
The veteran actor, who played Bayleaf in the popular ITV drama, was
taken ill on December 10, and died 17 December, 2002.
He leaves a partner and two grown-up children.
Hazeldine's film credits included Emma in 1996, and Pink Floyd: The
Wall in 1983. He had also appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company
and on Broadway, and was a familiar face to many TV viewers.
He was from a Salford council estate, the son of a dustman.
He started at the bottom as an assistant stage manager at Salford Rep
and the age of 15 in 1963.
He said in a 1983 interview: *When I was about 11 I decided I was
going to be a film director - I don't know why, but I didn't want to
be an actor. I was obsessed with Elia Kazan - On The Waterfront, East
of Eden, Wild River - I saw East of Eden nine times in one week...
*I discovered Elia Kazan was a stage manager and actor for a while, so
at 15 I got accepted as a student ASM at Salford Rep.*
Aged 20 he moved to London. He undersudied at the Royal Court during
the Edward Bond season. Then Peter Gill gave him his first London
critical success with a part in Over Gardens Out, again at the Court.
Since then Gill has used Hazeldine steadily, culminating in two plays
at the National in 1983, Small Change, and Kick for Touch, both
written and directed by Gill.
His screen roles started on a distinctly unhappy note with the part of
Stalin in Nicholas and Alexandra. He blamed a poor script.
Subsequently things looked up with The Ruling Class, The National
Health, and The Wall.
Michael Rhodes
> Former London's Burning star James Hazeldine has died after a short
> illness, aged 55.
If you don't know the name, you'll probably recognise the face: -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2589587.stm