The Dam Busters actor dies aged 90…
Dublin-born actor Richard Todd has died peacefully in his sleep yesterday 3rd December after battling with cancer. The star began his career on stage in the late 1930’s before serving as an officer in World War II as part of the British 6th Airborne Division, becoming one of the first British officers to land on French soil during Operation Overlord. Resuming his career after the war, Todd earned a film contract with Associated British and starred in an number of classic war movies, receiving an Academy Award nomination in 1949 for his work in The Hasty Heart.
In 1950 Todd appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Stage Fright, while his most famous role came in 1955 when he starred as Wing Commander Guy Gibson in The Dam Busters. The actor was the favoured choice of Ian Fleming to play James Bond, narrowly losing out to Sean Connery due to scheduling conflicts, while he also relived his D-Day experiences in D-Day the Sixth of June (1956) and the classic ensemble piece The Longest Day (1962).
Todd continued to make regular screen appearances through-out the 70s and 80s and in recent years he guest starred in a number of popular British TV series including Midsomer Murders, The Royal and Holby City. His last role came in 2007 when he appeared in an episode of Heartbeat.
Originally published December 4, 2009. Updated April 10, 2018.
