The handsome, blond, classically-trained Simon Ward is perhaps best remembered for his fine portrayal of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in "Young Churchill" (1972). When he was a teenager, Ward joined the nascent National Youth Theatre and because of his androgynous looks and high voice, was cast in the role of the French princess Katherine in a production of "Henry V". After training at RADA, he went on to appear in repertory and in the West End in such plays as Joe Orton's "Loot" (1966) and opposite Alec Guinness in "Wise Child" (1967). Lindsay Anderson cast the aristocratic-looking actor in a bit part in his look at life at an English boarding school, "if ..." (1968).After achieving notoriety for his performance as Churchill, Ward alternated between stage and screen. For American TV, he co-starred with Jack Palance in "Dracula" (CBS, 1974) and played Major Andre in "Valley Forge" (NBC, 1975). Teamed with Anthony Hopkins, Ward was cast as novice veterinarian James Herriot in the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation of "All Creatures Great and Small" (NBC, 1975) and later co-starred with Beau Bridges and Robert Powell in the small screen remake "Four Feathers" (NBC, 1978).
On the big screen, Ward was generally cast in patrician roles like Lord Buckingham in both "The Three Musketeers" (1974) and "The Four Musketeers" (1975) and "Zulu Dawn" (1979). His output slowed in the 80s and 90s, partly as a result of injuries sustained in a burglary which required brain surgery. In 1992, he briefly appeared in "Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'" as the father of his real-life daughter Sophie.
Profession(s):
Actor
Sometimes Credited As:
Family
daughter:Claudia Ward (born c. 1969)
daughter:Sophie Ward (born in 1965; created stir in England when she left her husband veterinarian Paul Hobson for a woman, Rena Brannan, whom she married in a non-legal ceremony on July 29, 2000; has two children with Hobson)
1992 Played Mr. Linton in "Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'"; daughter Sophie played his on screen daughter Isabella
1987 Underwent brain surgery to remove a blood clot that resulted from an attack by burglars
1984 Had cameo as Zor-El, the father of "Supergirl"
1974 Had featured role of Lord Buckingham in "The Three Musketeers"
1973 US TV debut in "William", an "ABC Afterschool Special" that introduced children to the works of Shakespeare
1972 Had title role of "Young Churchill"
1968 Made first film appearance in "if..."
1967 Appeared opposite Alec Guinness in London production of "Wise Child"
1966 Starred in "Loot" in the West End
1964 West End debut in "The Fourth of July"
1963 Professional adult stage debut in "Hobson's Choice" at Northampton Repertory Theatre
1955 Acting debut as Katherine in National Youth Theatre production of "Henry V" (date approximate)
