Michael Brandon
Michael Brandon (born Michael Feldman; April 20, 1945) is an American actor. He is known for his role as James Dempsey in the British drama series "Dempsey and Makepeace" (1985–1986). His theatre credits include the original Broadway production of "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?" (1969), and playing Jerry Springer in the West End production of "" (2003–2004). Early life. Brandon was born Michael Feldman in Brooklyn, New York, to Miriam (née Tumen) and Sol Feldman. At age nine, he and his family (brother Elliot and sister Debra Lynne) moved to Valley Stream, New York where he attended Memorial  Junior High and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School. Brandon then attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his debut on Broadway before turning to cinema. He is of Jewish extraction. Career. Brandon starred in the TV series "Dempsey and Makepeace" and "Dinotopia", the movies "Quattro mosche di velluto grigio" (1971), "F.M." (1978), "A Vacation In Hell" (1979) and "A Change of Seasons" (1980), and the plays "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?" and "Jerry Springer - The Opera". Since moving to the UK, Brandon has worked in TV on such shows as "The Bill", "Trial and Retribution , and Dead Man Weds". He also played the title role in the musical "" for over a year in the National Theatre and after its transfer into the West End. Brandon starred in "Singin' in the Rain" in the summer of 2012. In 2004, he portrayed Nobel Prize winner Arno Penzias in the BBC TV movie "Hawking" about physicist Stephen Hawking's early career at the University of Cambridge and was the US narrator of "Thomas & Friends" from 2004 to 2012. In February 2008 he began his talk radio show on City Talk, a new local radio station in Liverpool. In  2008 he appeared in the Series 4 finale of the BBC's "Doctor Who", as General Sanchez, a UNIT officer. Also in 2008 he appeared in the television series "Bones", as Roger Frampton, an American millionaire. In 2011, Brandon guest-starred in an episode of the BBC1 con drama "Hustle" as Marcus Wendell (series 7, episode 3). Also in 2011 he was seen in a supporting role in the film "" as a politician who befriends the titular character. In September 2013 he appeared in the ITV dancing show "Stepping Out" with wife Glynis Barber. In 2017, he collaborated with producer /director Guy Masterson to create his autobiographical stand-up comedy, "Off Ramps" which hit at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. On 19 February 2022 he appeared in an episode of Casualty on BBC1. Personal life. In the early 1970s Brandon was in a relationship with the actress Kim Novak. Brandon was married to actress Lindsay Wagner from 1976 to 1979. He has been married to actress Glynis Barber, with whom he co-starred in "Dempsey & Makepeace", since 18 November 1989. They remain in the United Kingdom. Together they have a son, Alex.