Colin Gordon, a Ceylon-born thespian, embarked on a distinguished acting career, commencing with a memorable stage appearance as the hind legs of a horse in the 1934 production of 'Toad of Toad Hall' on the West End.
After serving in the war, Gordon returned to the stage, showcasing his versatility in a range of plays, including 'The White Carnation' and 'The Little Hut' in 1953, 'Misery Me!' in 1955, and 'The Touch of Fear' in 1956.
His iconic stage role as Rupert Billings, a teacher, in 'The Happiest Days of Your Life' was later recreated for the film adaptation by Richard Wattis, another bespectacled actor.
From 1957, Gordon worked as an actor-director with the Guildford Repertory Theatre, where he honed his craft and made a lasting impact on the acting profession.
Gordon's repertoire was characterized by his uncanny ability to portray supercilious, sneering bureaucrats, lawyers, and haughty military types, often donning his signature horn-rimmed glasses and employing a cynical or asinine manner, combined with a precisely modulated voice.
Some of his most memorable performances include his portrayal of pompous BBC announcer Reginald Willoughby-Cruft in 'The Green Man' (1956) and his bank manager, who finds himself locked in the strongroom of his own bank during a robbery.
Gordon's most enduring legacy, however, may be his sinister portrayal of Number 2 to Patrick McGoohan in the classic TV series 'The Prisoner' (1967),a role he reprised twice.
