John Castle
John Michael Frederick Castle (born 14 January 1940) is an English actor. He is best known for his film and television work, most notably playing Bill in Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blowup" (1966) and Geoffrey in "The Lion in Winter" (1968). His other significant credits include "Man of La Mancha" (1972) and "RoboCop 3" (1993). Early life. Born in Croydon, Castle was educated at Brighton College and Trinity College, Dublin, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Work. Castle's first appearance was as Westmoreland on stage in "Henry V" on 5 June 1964, at the  Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park. He was 24 years old. His first Broadway theatre appearance was in February 1970 as "Jos" in the short-lived musical "Georgy". His screen debut was in Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 film "Blowup" playing David Hemmings' artist friend, Bill. In 1968, he portrayed the plotting Prince Geoffrey in the film adaptation of "The Lion in Winter", starring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. According to Rotten Tomatoes, "The Lion in Winter" is Castle's "highest-rated" film. Also in 1967, he appeared in the British TV series "The Prisoner" as Number 12, a sympathetic guardian  in the episode, entitled "The General". Castle also played the role of Octavius Caesar in Charlton Heston's film version of "Antony and Cleopatra" (1972). Castle made two appearances in the hard-hitting police drama "The Professionals." In his first appearance he played CI5 Officer Tommy McKay in the episode ""Heroes,"" whilst his subsequent appearance saw him in the role of Peter Crabbe, an underworld hitman in the episode ""Man Without a Past."" Castle appeared as Carruthers, the most honourable of a trio of schemers in an episode of Granada Television's series "Sherlock Holmes" ("The Solitary Cyclist", 1984). His  association with Sherlock Holmes continued with his role as Nigel St Clair in the film version of "The Crucifer of Blood" (1991). He played Inspector Craddock in an adaptation of the Agatha Christie story "A Murder is Announced" (1985), a role he recreated in the Miss Marple mystery "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side" (1992). He also played the title role in the 2000 made-for-TV version of Christie's "Lord Edgware Dies". In 1990 Castle starred as Superintendent George Thorne in the BBC's radio adaptations of John Penn's novels. Castle appeared in other TV series , including "I Claudius", "Ben Hall", and "Lost Empires". Among Castle's stage performances was his role as Oswald in the Royal Shakespeare Company's revival of Ibsen's "Ghosts" in 1967. He played the title character in the play "Gandhi" at the Tricycle Theatre London. Personal life. Castle is married to writer Maggie Wadey.