British leading actor, Kenneth Sewell, was a man of complex contradictions. His rugged, pockmarked features seemed to belie his soft, melodious voice and refined demeanor. Born in East London, Sewell was the son of a printer, and his father, a boxer known as "The Cobblestone Kid", instilled in him a sense of toughness and resilience.
After serving in the Royal Air Force during the latter stages of World War II, Sewell held a series of short-lived jobs, including stints as a carpenter, photographer, drummer, and assistant roadie for a rumba band. He also worked as a steward on Cunard liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, and spent six years as a motor coach courier for a holiday travel agency.
It wasn't until a chance conversation with actor Dudley Sutton in a pub in 1959 that Sewell began to consider a career in acting. He went on to join Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, where he was cast in several cockney comedies, including the role of Field Marshal Haig in "Oh, What a Lovely War" in 1963.
Sewell's film career saw him appearing in gritty social dramas like "This Sporting Life" (1963) and tough crime films like "Get Carter" (1971),often playing villains or law enforcement officials. He also had a small role in the science fiction thriller "Journey to the Far Side of the Sun" (1969),which was a precursor to the cult series "UFO" (1970),in which he played the cool-headed Colonel Alec Freeman.
On television, Sewell typically played hard-nosed, cynical cops, including DI Brogan in "Z Cars" (1962) and DCI Alan Craven in "Special Branch" (1969). He also appeared as a London gangster in the play "Spindoe" (1968),and as Mendel, the reliable and sharp-eyed ex-Special Branch minder, in the original miniseries "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (1979).
After 2000, Sewell scaled back his television appearances and spent more time at his holiday home in the south of France. He occasionally returned to acting, most notably for a well-received production of the play "Who Killed Agatha Christie?" (2004),in which he starred as a playwright seeking revenge against a waspish critic.
Sewell passed away in April 2007 at the age of 82, leaving behind a daughter and a stepson. Despite his passing, his legacy as a talented and versatile actor continues to be celebrated.
