Linal Haft
Linal Haft (born 23 March 1945 in Leeds) is an English actor, best known for playing controlling or manipulative characters in both film and television, most notably his role as businessman Harry Gold in the popular BBC soap opera "EastEnders" from 2010 to 2011. He is sometimes credited as Lionel Haft. Biography. Haft made his acting debut in an episode of "Homicide" as Harry Bruce in 1968. He went on to play his second role later the same year, as Adams in an episode of "Contrabandits". From 1968 to 1978, he had many more roles, including Curly in  an episode of "Riptide" (1969); Don in an episode of "The Squirrels" (1976); as the blackmailer and hard-man Brian Frederick Fischer in "The Sweeney" episode ""Money, Money, Money"" (1977) and as Cookson in two episodes of "Armchair Thriller" (1978). He appeared as Monty Fish in the second series of ITV's post-war comedy drama "Shine on Harvey Moon" in 1982. Haft also appeared in an episode of Dempsey and Makepeace. He appeared in three separate episodes of The Bill (1985, 1998 and 2007), portraying a different character in each. Haft accepted the role of Reno in the 2006  thriller film "Solo". Haft portrayed Harry Gold in the British soap opera "EastEnders", from 23 June 2010 until late November 2010. He returned on 29 August. In February 2013 he played Joseph Lavender in the BBC One drama series "Ripper Street". He, Frank Mills and Paul Brooke are the only actors to appear in both the classic and new versions of "Minder", but starring in different roles in each. Theatre His live work includes his much lauded performance as Arnold Beckoff, the Harvey Fierstein role, in the groundbreaking A.I.D.S. and LGBT play, Torch Song Trilogy.