Michael Billington Biography
Michael Billington was born on Christmas Eve, 1941 in Blackburn, Lancashire. After leaving school, he trained as an engineer. Despite this training, Mike's love of acting in his local amateur dramatics group led him to decide that he wanted to pursue a career as a professional actor.
His first parts were dancing in muscials such as 'Broadway Goes Latin', and in cabaret, playing straight man to Danny La Rue for a year ! After taking voice and drama lessons, Mike secured a part in the West End production of 'Incident at Vichy' with Alec Guinness and Anthony Quayle. Soon after this break into straight acting, he played a footballer in the BBC TV series 'United', followed by work for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Onedin Line
It is, however, Mike's portrayal of Colonel Paul Foster in the classic British science-fiction series 'U.F.O.' for which he is probably best known. His appearance in the episode 'A Change of Mind' in 'The Prisoner' television series brought his acting talents to the attention of 'U.F.O.'s co-producer Sylvia Anderson, and later to casting director Rose Tobias Shaw, which led him to be eventually cast in the role of Foster in twenty one episodes of the cult TV series.
Spearhead
His extensive list of UK TV and film credits include the roles of Freddie Hepton in 'Hadleigh', Daniel Fogarty in the BBC TV historical drama series 'The Onedin Line', and Sergeant 'Jacko' Jackson in the first series of 'Spearhead', and a memorable guest starring role in cult show the 'The Professionals', as well as a leading role as Tom Gibbons in 80s TV show 'The Collectors.'
As early as 1969 he was tested as a potential James Bond, when George Lazenby left. The role, of course, went back to Sean Connery. He tested again in 1972, and a further three times through the 70s and into the early 80s. 'They eventually ran out of film', Mike quipped at the time. He remains the actor who has been tested the most times for the role of Bond. Although Michael was never given a chance to play 007, he was offered the role of Sergei Barsov in 'The Spy Who Loved Me', playing Barbara Bach's lover.
The Spy Who Loved Me
After the Bond role, Michael moved to Los Angeles and worked in film, starring in cold war drama 'KGB - The Secret War', while also playing guest roles in such hit US TV shows as 'Magnum PI', 'Hart to Hart', 'Philip Marlowe PI' and Fantasy Island'.
As well as TV and film, he has also done a lot of theatre work, including performances of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' in Christchurch, New Zealand, and of 'Death of a Salesman', 'The Circle', 'The Merchant of Venice', 'A Streetcar Named Desire', and 'Sleuth' in Britain.
For several years in the 1990s, he taught acting at Lee Strasberg's school in London.
In recent years, Mike lived in Kent with his son, Michael junior, and his main priority was helping develop Michael jr's career as a footballer.
Sadly, we have to report that Mike passed away on 3rd June, 2005. But though he may be gone, he's certainly not forgotten.
Michael Billington will be remembered for all the enjoyment that his acting career has brought - and continues to bring - to his many fans, both old and new, around the world.
More biographical info on Blackburn Council's website here
Obituaries in 'Variety' and 'The Guardian'
