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Ken Hutchison‌

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar1943-11-24

Popularity

star1.8

Ken Hutchison

Leslie, Fife, Scotland, UK

Ken Hutchison

Leslie, Fife, Scotland, UK

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar1943-11-24

Popularity

star1.8

Biography

One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Play for Today: Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1974). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.

Movie Credits

Straw Dogs

Straw Dogs‌
star7.1
calendar 1971

Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke‌
star7.0
calendar 1985

The Wrath of God

The Wrath of God‌
star5.3
calendar 1972

Deadly Strangers

Deadly Strangers‌
star5.7
calendar 1975

Just Another Saturday

Just Another Saturday‌
star8.0
calendar 1975

Blonde Fist

Blonde Fist‌
star4.6
calendar 1991

The Long Distance Piano Player

The Long Distance Piano Player‌
star0.0
calendar 1970

Red Shift

Red Shift‌
star7.4
calendar 1978

Just a Boys' Game

Just a Boys' Game‌
star8.0
calendar 1979

Gandhi

Gandhi‌
star7.6
calendar 1982

One of the Boys

One of the Boys‌
star0.0
calendar 1978

Sweeney 2

Sweeney 2‌
star6.5
calendar 1978

As an Eilean

As an Eilean‌
star0.0
calendar 1993

All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front‌
star6.6
calendar 1979

Milner

Milner‌
star6.0
calendar 1994

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut‌
star7.0
calendar 2003

The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

The World Cup: A Captain's Tale‌
star7.0
calendar 1982

A Gift from Nessus

A Gift from Nessus‌
star0.0
calendar 1980

Tv Credits

The Sweeney

The Sweeney‌
star7.7
calendar 1975

Minder

Minder‌
star6.7
calendar 1979

Casualty

Casualty‌
star5.9
calendar 1986

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights‌
star5.0
calendar 1978

Play for Today

Play for Today‌
star5.9
calendar 1970

Masada

Masada‌
star7.2
calendar 1981

Space: 1999

Space: 1999‌
star7.1
calendar 1975

The Protectors

The Protectors‌
star5.6
calendar 1972

Hamish Macbeth

Hamish Macbeth‌
star7.8
calendar 1995