Austin Churton Fairman, professionally known as Raven, was born to a family of classical stage actors. Prior to his career in films, he held a variety of occupations, including ballet dancing, serving as a Lieutenant of infantry, and television production.
Before gaining public attention, Raven worked as a disc jockey on a pirate radio station, where he was christened "Mike Raven". When the pirate radio station was shut down, Raven transitioned to a career in radio, becoming a DJ for Radio 1. He specialized in Rhythm and Blues and hosted a popular Saturday night program called "The Mike Raven Show", which established him as an authority on the subject.
Raven's interest in the occult led him to pursue a career in horror films. He stood out with his distinctive appearance, sporting a Merlin beard, tall stature, and intense vocals. He was immediately cast in films such as I Monster and Lust for a Vampire, but unfortunately, he received negative reviews from critics, particularly for his role in the Hammer film, where his voice was even dubbed over.
Undeterred, Raven invested in two independent films, Crucible of Terror and Disciple of Death. The pre-publicity for these films centered around Raven's personal life, which was shrouded in mystery. According to the hype, Raven, his wife, and their six children were often seen dressed in homemade black clothing, and their home was reportedly decorated entirely in black.
Of the two films, Crucible of Terror was more popular, appearing on television with regular frequency. On the other hand, Disciple of Death was so incoherent that it came across as a Dada nightmare and was produced and written by Raven under pseudonyms. Despite its obscurity, the film received brutal reviews from critics, after which Raven retired from the spotlight and never made another film.
