Born in Coventry, England on 5 April 1929. Raised in South Africa. Returned to the UK in the 1950s. Extensive theatre work in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. His portrayal of Sir Humphrey Appleby in the BBC comedy "Yes [Prime] Minister" won him international acclaim in the 1980s. In 1992 the Olivier Award for his George III in Alan Bennett's hit stage play The Madness of George III.


He was vegetarian. Knighted in the New Years honours list. [1999] Has received numerous awards including: Clarence Derwent and SWET Awards for "Privates on Parade" - and the 'Broadcasting Press Guild' Award, plus two BAFTA Awards (1981) and (1982), for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby in _"Yes, Minister" (1980)_. Educated by the Christian Brothers in South Africa. He lived quietly in a 15th-century manor house He did a small uncredited cameo in the Crimson Insurance short film by Terry Gilliam that is part of _"Monty Python's Meaning of Life"_ - he is the man that is walking by the building when the anchors are raised. One of his last major projects was the Anglo-Japanese stage adaptation of "King Lear" in Japan. He was awarded the 1991 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performance in The Madness of King George III. Was supposedly considered early on for the role of Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Won Broadway's 1991 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for "Shadowlands." Was originally cast as Sir William Gull in "From Hell" (2001) but when his cancer prevented him from working in the film was replaced by Ian Holm.