Anthony Sagar's acting career was tragically cut short by his untimely death at the age of 52. During his time in the spotlight, he had the privilege of sharing the screen with some of the most renowned figures in British cinema, including Alec Guinness, Michael Redgrave, Tom Courtenay, John Mills, and Richard Burton.
Sagar's impressive repertoire included appearances in seven Carry On films, a Norman Wisdom film, a Ronnie Corbett film, and the big-screen adaptation of the popular television series Dad's Army. He was a master of playing a wide range of characters, and in the Carry On series, he took on various roles, such as a policeman, an ambulanceman, a cook, and a bus conductor.
One of Sagar's most notable film appearances was in the cult classic Villain (1971),where he played a nervous and bootlicking character alongside Richard Burton's vicious Vic Dakin and Nigel Davenport's intelligent and wily Inspector Matthews. This performance showcased his ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters, making him a standout in the film.
Sagar began his career in film and television relatively late, making his debut at the age of 36 in the popular police series Dixon of Dock Green. He reprised his role as Det. Sgt. Brownrigg eight times, and also played two other characters in the series later on. He went on to appear in several other police series, including Z Cars, Special Branch, and New Scotland Yard, and his last appearance on film was in Sidney Lumet's hard-boiled police drama The Offence.
While Sagar may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, such as John Le Mesurier, Richard Wattis, Roland Culver, or Lionel Jeffries, he is still worth noting as a diverse and interesting actor who brought a unique range of characters to life on screen. Some of his other notable appearances include classic television series Dad's Army and The Avengers, as well as the film The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962).
