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Michael Billington (actor)
Encyclopedia
Michael Billington was a popular British
film and television actor.
In 1966 Billington appeared in "Incident at Vichy" at the Phoenix Theatre in London but he was best known for his role as Colonel Paul Foster in the 1970 science fiction
series, UFO
, and for creating the character of Daniel Fogarty in the 1971-1974 historical drama, The Onedin Line
. He also appeared as Sergeant Jacko Jackson of the Royal Wessex Rangers in the series Spearhead
and as Czar Nicholas II in the mini-series Edward VII (1975).
Billington's last major television role was in the 1986 BBC drama The Collectors
, but his final appearance on TV was in an episode of early 1990s TV series Maigret as the villain.
Billington was screen-tested for the role of James Bond
more than any other actor and was said to have been Albert R. Broccoli
's first choice had Roger Moore
not been available (see: 1981's For Your Eyes Only
). Billington also screen-tested for Live and Let Die
(1973), Moonraker
(1979), and Octopussy
(1983). He ultimately appeared in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me
, playing Sergei Barsov, Agent XXX's ill-fated lover, at the start of the film.
Billington died of cancer
at the age of 63, predeceasing Ed Bishop
, one of his UFO co-stars, by five days.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film and television actor.
In 1966 Billington appeared in "Incident at Vichy" at the Phoenix Theatre in London but he was best known for his role as Colonel Paul Foster in the 1970 science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
series, UFO
UFO (TV series)
UFO is a 1970-1971 British television science fiction series about an alien invasion of Earth, created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson with Reg Hill, and produced by the Andersons and Lew Grade's Century 21 Productions for Grade's ITC Entertainment company.UFO first aired in the UK and Canada...
, and for creating the character of Daniel Fogarty in the 1971-1974 historical drama, The Onedin Line
The Onedin Line
The Onedin Line is a BBC television drama series which ran from 1971 to 1980. The series was created by Cyril Abraham.The series is set in Liverpool from 1860 to 1886 and deals with the rise of a shipping line, the Onedin Line, named after its owner James Onedin...
. He also appeared as Sergeant Jacko Jackson of the Royal Wessex Rangers in the series Spearhead
Spearhead (TV series)
Spearhead is a British television series. Produced by Southern Television and broadcast on the ITV network, it ran for a total of three series and 19 episodes from 1978 to 1981. It featured the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'B' Company, 1st Battalion Royal Wessex Rangers, a fictional...
and as Czar Nicholas II in the mini-series Edward VII (1975).
Billington's last major television role was in the 1986 BBC drama The Collectors
The Collectors (TV series)
The Collectors is a British television drama about Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the fictional Dorset town of Wrelling. Produced by the BBC, one series of 10 episodes was first shown in 1986....
, but his final appearance on TV was in an episode of early 1990s TV series Maigret as the villain.
Billington was screen-tested for the role of James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
more than any other actor and was said to have been Albert R. Broccoli
Albert R. Broccoli
Albert Romolo Broccoli, CBE , nicknamed "Cubby", was an American film producer, who made more than 40 motion pictures throughout his career, most of them in the United Kingdom, and often filmed at Pinewood Studios. Co-founder of Danjaq, LLC and EON Productions, Broccoli is most notable as the...
's first choice had Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Sir Roger George Moore KBE , is an English actor, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. He also portrayed Simon Templar in the long-running British television series The Saint.-Early life:Moore was born in Stockwell, London...
not been available (see: 1981's For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only (film)
For Your Eyes Only is the twelfth spy film in the James Bond series and the fifth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. It marked the directorial debut of John Glen, who had worked as editor and second unit director in three other Bond films. The screenplay by Richard Maibaum...
). Billington also screen-tested for Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die (film)
Live and Let Die is the eighth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman...
(1973), Moonraker
Moonraker (film)
Moonraker is the eleventh spy film in the James Bond series, and the fourth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The third and final film in the series to be directed by Lewis Gilbert, it co-stars Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale, Corinne Clery, and Richard Kiel...
(1979), and Octopussy
Octopussy
Octopussy is the thirteenth entry in the James Bond series, and the sixth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film's title is taken from a short story in Ian Fleming's 1966 short story collection Octopussy and The Living Daylights...
(1983). He ultimately appeared in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me
The Spy Who Loved Me (film)
The Spy Who Loved Me is a spy film, the tenth film in the James Bond series, and the third to star Roger Moore as the fictional secret agent James Bond. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and the screenplay was written by Christopher Wood and Richard Maibaum...
, playing Sergei Barsov, Agent XXX's ill-fated lover, at the start of the film.
Billington died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at the age of 63, predeceasing Ed Bishop
Ed Bishop
Ed Bishop was an American film, television, stage and radio actor based in Britain.-Early life:Bishop served in the US Army from 8 October 1952 to 24 September 1954, working as a disc jockey with the Armed Forces Radio at St. Johns in Newfoundland...
, one of his UFO co-stars, by five days.