John Benfield

John Benfield

Deceased · Born: Nov 9, 1951 · Died: Jun 16, 2020

Personal Details

BornNov 9, 1951 Wanstead, London, England, UK

Biography

Renowned character actor, ubiquitous presence on stage and screen, whose impressive repertoire boasts collaborations with esteemed directors Ken Loach and Woody Allen.

Notably, his iconic portrayal of a complex character in the groundbreaking original Prime Suspect (1991) television series, opposite the incomparable Helen Mirren, cemented his status as a master of his craft.

Throughout his illustrious career, he consistently infused his performances with unwavering truth and integrity, imbuing his characters with a sense of authenticity and depth.

Physically, he exuded an imposing, strong, and rugged presence, while his unwavering dedication to his craft was matched only by his soul and conviction.

An absolute legend, his enduring talent and influence have left an indelible mark on the world of acting, solidifying his place among the pantheon of all-time greats.

Career

{"id":140082,"title":"The Coldest Game","year":"2019","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-coldest-game","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1hh159eda0g0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1hh159eda0g0.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
{"id":114995,"title":"Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle","year":"2018","character":"Wolf Elder (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mowgli-legend-of-the-jungle","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7nsj2to7luu0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7nsj2to7luu0.jpg"},"released":1}
2018
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle as Wolf Elder (voice)
{"id":126813,"title":"Cold Skin","year":"2017","character":"Captain Axel","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cold-skin","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/63kgs5lttb90.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/63kgs5lttb90.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
Cold Skin
Cold Skin as Captain Axel
{"id":10230,"title":"The Best Offer","year":"2013","character":"Barman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-best-offer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/753jpare42p0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/753jpare42p0.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":167879,"title":"The Marchioness Disaster","year":"2008","character":"Peter Butcher","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-marchioness-disaster","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_167879.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_167879.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
{"id":2486,"title":"Speed Racer","year":"2008","character":"Cruncher Block","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/speed-racer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3hubr2e2ved0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3hubr2e2ved0.jpg"},"released":1}
Speed Racer
Speed Racer as Cruncher Block
{"id":22775,"title":"Cassandra's Dream","year":"2007","character":"Father","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cassandras-dream","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7a147on17ro0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7a147on17ro0.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
{"id":14057,"title":"Flood","year":"2007","character":"Frank","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/flood","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14057.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14057.jpg"},"released":1}
Flood
Flood as Frank
{"id":152026,"title":"Evilenko","year":"2004","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/evilenko","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_152026.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_152026.jpg"},"released":1}
2004
{"id":79010,"title":"Gifted","year":"2003","character":"Harry Boothroyd","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/gifted","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_79010.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_79010.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
Gifted
Gifted as Harry Boothroyd
{"id":52482,"title":"Den tredje v\u00e5gen","year":"2003","character":"Stevens","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/den-tredje-vagen","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_52482.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_52482.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":184720,"title":"Aka Albert Walker","year":"2002","character":"DCI Dawlish","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/aka-albert-walker","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_184720.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_184720.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
Aka Albert Walker
Aka Albert Walker as DCI Dawlish
{"id":85297,"title":"Endgame","year":"2001","character":"Dunston","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/endgame-2001","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_85297.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_85297.jpg"},"released":1}
2001
Endgame
Endgame as Dunston
{"id":85088,"title":"Lover's Prayer","year":"2001","character":"Nirmansky","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/lovers-prayer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_85088.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_85088.jpg"},"released":1}
Lover's Prayer
Lover's Prayer as Nirmansky
{"id":8614,"title":"Charlotte Gray","year":"2001","character":"Loque","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/charlotte-gray","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8614.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8614.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":23828,"title":"24 Hours in London","year":"2000","character":"Chief Inspector Duggan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/24-hours-in-london","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_23828.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_23828.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
24 Hours in London
24 Hours in London as Chief Inspector Duggan
{"id":85457,"title":"You're Dead...","year":"1999","character":"Insp. Badger","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/youre-dead-1999","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_85457.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_85457.jpg"},"released":1}
1999
You're Dead...
You're Dead... as Insp. Badger
{"id":9494,"title":"Hippies","year":1999,"character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/hippies","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_9494.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_9494.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":8377,"title":"Cousin Bette","year":"1998","character":"Dr. Bianchon","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cousin-bette","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8377.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8377.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
Cousin Bette
Cousin Bette as Dr. Bianchon
{"id":55986,"title":"Owd Bob","year":"1998","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/owd-bob","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_55986.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_55986.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":19048,"title":"Sharpe","year":"1997","character":"Calvet","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sharpe-1997-1","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_19048.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_19048.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
Sharpe
Sharpe as Calvet
{"id":185073,"title":"The Garden of Redemption","year":"1997","character":"Mayor of Vaiano","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-garden-of-redemption","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_185073.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_185073.jpg"},"released":1}
The Garden of Redemption
The Garden of Redemption as Mayor of Vaiano
{"id":8299,"title":"Beautiful Thing","year":"1996","character":"Rodney Barr","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/beautiful-thing","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/69mfc2vstv70.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/69mfc2vstv70.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
Beautiful Thing
Beautiful Thing as Rodney Barr
{"id":3633,"title":"101 Dalmatians","year":"1996","character":"Doorman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/101-dalmatians","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5c1qa7h1qo20.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5c1qa7h1qo20.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":161,"title":"Tales from the Crypt","year":1996,"character":"Inspector Minty","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/tales-from-the-crypt","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/4qp1jp2l0c80.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/4qp1jp2l0c80.jpg"},"released":1}
Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt as Inspector Minty
{"id":103835373,"title":"Calling the Shots","year":1994,"character":"Charlie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/calling-the-shots","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103835373.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103835373.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":6386,"title":"In the Name of the Father","year":"1993","character":"Chief PO Barker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/in-the-name-of-the-father","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2fb09rpo7ut0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2fb09rpo7ut0.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
In the Name of the Father
In the Name of the Father as Chief PO Barker
{"id":198009,"title":"Screen One","year":"1992","character":"Mr Reddy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/screen-one-1992-2","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198009.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198009.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
Screen One
Screen One as Mr Reddy
{"id":8378,"title":"Prime Suspect","year":1991,"character":"Michael Kernan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/prime-suspect","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8378.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8378.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
Prime Suspect
Prime Suspect as Michael Kernan
{"id":15755,"title":"Treasure Island","year":"1990","character":"Black Dog","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/treasure-island-1990","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/ig9jg0rt0uk0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/ig9jg0rt0uk0.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
Treasure Island
Treasure Island as Black Dog
{"id":8487,"title":"Hidden Agenda","year":"1990","character":"Maxwell","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hidden-agenda","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8487.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8487.jpg"},"released":1}
Hidden Agenda
Hidden Agenda as Maxwell
{"id":8733,"title":"Buster","year":"1988","character":"Jimmy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/buster","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/71ak7pgqjlg0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/71ak7pgqjlg0.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
Buster
Buster as Jimmy
{"id":61278,"title":"Whoops Apocalypse","year":"1986","character":"Secret Service Agent","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/whoops-apocalypse","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_61278.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_61278.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
Whoops Apocalypse
Whoops Apocalypse as Secret Service Agent
{"id":62390,"title":"Titus Andronicus","year":"1985","character":"Messenger \/ 1st Goth \/ Caius","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/titus-andronicus","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_62390.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_62390.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus as Messenger / 1st Goth / Caius
{"id":62348,"title":"Number One","year":"1985","character":"Contestant","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/number-one","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_62348.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_62348.jpg"},"released":1}
Number One
Number One as Contestant
{"id":62273,"title":"Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil","year":"1985","character":"Griesch","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hitlers-ss-portrait-in-evil-1985","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_62273.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_62273.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":200753,"title":"Breakout","year":"1984","character":"Minder","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/breakout-1984","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_200753.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_200753.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Breakout
Breakout as Minder
{"id":162401,"title":"The Third Part of Henry the Sixth","year":"1983","character":"Earl of Northumberland \/ Huntsman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-third-part-of-henry-the-sixth","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_162401.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_162401.jpg"},"released":1}
1983
The Third Part of Henry the Sixth
The Third Part of Henry the Sixth as Earl of Northumberland / Huntsman
{"id":162340,"title":"The First Part of Henry the Sixt","year":"1983","character":"Basset \/ French Sergeant","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-first-part-of-henry-the-sixt","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_162340.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_162340.jpg"},"released":1}
The First Part of Henry the Sixt
The First Part of Henry the Sixt as Basset / French Sergeant
{"id":63084,"title":"The Sign of Four","year":"1983","character":"McMurdo","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sign-of-four-1983","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63084.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63084.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":162381,"title":"The Second Part of Henry the Sixth","year":"1983","character":"First Murderer \/ Ship's Master","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-second-part-of-henry-the-sixth","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_162381.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_162381.jpg"},"released":1}
The Second Part of Henry the Sixth
The Second Part of Henry the Sixth as First Murderer / Ship's Master
{"id":63207,"title":"The Beggar's Opera","year":"1983","character":"Jailer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-beggars-opera-1983","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63207.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63207.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":63637,"title":"The Winter's Tale","year":"1981","character":"Gaoler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-winters-tale-1981","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63637.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63637.jpg"},"released":1}
1981
{"id":191303,"title":"Play for Today","year":"1981","character":"2nd Man","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/play-for-today-1981-16","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_191303.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_191303.jpg"},"released":1}