John Normington

Biography

John Normington was a distinguished English actor and a veteran of stage and screen. He also trained as an opera singer at the Northern School of Music. He made his theatrical debut in the 1950 production of "The Happiest Days of Your Life". He later became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (1962-1966). Perhaps his most prominent and enduring film role was in the classic British comedy A Private Function (1984), where he holds his own among a heavyweight supporting cast that included Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Richard Griffiths, Alison Steadman, Jim Carter and Pete Postlethwaite. His television appearances were also vast. He is fondly remembered by science fiction fans for his role as the scheming villain Morgus in one of the most popular Doctor Who (1963) serials ever produced, Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani: Part One (1984). He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 but continued working, making his final screen appearance in Atonement (2007), which was released in the UK following his death. Tributes were paid by Old Vic artistic director Kevin Spacey, National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner and Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Michael Boyd. Normington was gay and was survived by John Anderson, his partner of almost 40 years.