Victor Spinetti
Victor Spinetti (born
2 September 1933 in
Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire,
Wales) is a renowned
Welsh comic actor. He was born of Welsh and Italian heritage (his grandfather walked from
Italy to
Wales), and educated at
Monmouth School, and Welsh College of Music and Drama, of which he is now a fellow.
He sprang to international prominence in three
Beatles' films in the
1960s,
A Hard Day's Night,
Help! and
Magical Mystery Tour. He also appeared on one of The Beatles' Christmas recordings. The best explanation for this long-running collaboration and friendship might have been provided by George Harrison, who said, "You've got to be in all our films ... if you're not in them me Mum won't come and see themâ€"because she fancies you." But Harrison would also say, "You've got a lovely karma, Vic." He has appeared in more than 30 films, including
Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew,
Under Milk Wood with
Elizabeth Taylor and
Richard Burton,
Becket,
The Voyage of the Damned,
The Return of the Pink Panther,
Under the Cherry Moon and
The Krays.
Spinetti's work in
Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop produced many memorable performances including
Fings Ain't What They Used To Be, and
Oh! What a Lovely War, which transferred to
New York and for which he won a
Tony Award for his main role as an obnoxious Drill Sergeant. He has appeared in the
West End including
Expresso Bongo,
Candide,
Cat Among the Pigeons, Felix in
The Odd Couple,
Windy City, his critically acclaimed one man show,
A Very Private Diary, and recently in
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He has also appeared on Broadway in
The Hostage and
The Philanthropist.
He has also acted with the
Royal Shakespeare Company, in such roles as Lord Foppington in
The Relapse and the Archbishop in
Richard III. Spinetti co-authored
In His Own Write, the play with
John Lennon which he also directed at the Royal National Theatre. Spinetti said the play "is about the growing up of any of us; the things that helped us to be more aware." He also directed
Jesus Christ Superstar, and
Hair. His many television appearances on
British TV, include
Take My Wife in which he played a London-based booking agent and schemer who was forever promising his comedian client that fame was just around the corner. He hosted
Victor's Party for
Granada. Spinetti's poetry, notably
Watchers Along the Mall, 1963, and prose, have appeared in various publications. A legendary raconteur and mimic, he says that
Jane Fonda once asked him, "Victor, you play comedy and you play tragedy — how do you do both?" He replied, "Well, you have to listen." She said, "Pardon me?"His younger brother,
Henry, is a noted drummer.
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Stories, biography, filmography
