Michael Bilton (14 December 1919 – 5 November 1993) was an English actor best known for his role as Basil Makepeace in the British television sitcom Waiting for God.
He attended Hymers College, Hull. In the Second World War he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was injured at the Battle of El Alamein. After his recovery he began his acting career in repertory theatre.
He had a strong comedic bent and played Old Ned in the popular sitcom To the Manor Born (1979-81); and also had roles in Waiting For God (1990), Keeping Up Appearances, One Foot in the Grave and Grace and Favour (1992).
He also appeared in Pennies From Heaven, The Saint, The Avengers, The Prisoner, Quatermass II, and The Champions and a commercial for Yellow Pages, in which he played an elderly gardener. He also featured in the Doctor Who stories The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve, Pyramids of Mars and The Deadly Assassin. His film appearances included A Taste of Honey, Frenzy and The Fourth Protocol.
Biltons final role was that of Basil Makepeace in the BBC Sitcom Waiting For God, when filming began in 1990 he was already aged 71. Basil grew in importance throughout the first four series eventually becoming the main supporting character. His final appearance was in the last episode of Series 4. He died shortly after completing filming.
In the Christmas episode 1993, his absence was explained by his character having gone on an "Icelandic wife-swapping cruise" and he is not mentioned again. The character of Basil was "replaced" by Jamie Edwards, Jane's spirited Irish uncle, who was played by Paddy Ward.
Bilton died on 5 November 1993 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
External links
Michael Bilton at the Internet Movie Database
This article about an British television actor born in the 1910s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bilton"
Categories: 1919 births | 1993 deaths | People from the East Riding of Yorkshire | People from Berkhamsted | English actors | English television actors | United Kingdom television actor stubs
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