Simon Lack

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Simon Lack
Actor Simon Lack.jpg
in The Avengers: False Witness (1968)
Born
Alexander MacAlpine

(1913-12-19)19 December 1913
Cleland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK
Died8 August 1980(1980-08-08) (aged 66)
London, England, UK
OccupationActor

Simon Lack (19 December 1913 – 8 August 1980) was a Scottish actor.[1]

He was born Alexander MacAlpine, in Cleland, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.[2] Known locally as Alec, he was the youngest child and only son of his father, Alexander McAlpine (known as Sandy) and his mother, Euphemia Ritchie. His sisters were Charlotte (Lottie), Mary, Euphemia (Euphie), Agnes (Nan), and Jenny. Another sister, Jessie, died in childhood. Sandy McAlpine was a stonemason but worked down the mines when there was no masonry work available, making Simon Lack's later role in Proud Valley particularly poignant to those who knew him from his youth. Euphemia Ritchie's family were somewhat wealthier, but she was disowned on account of her choice of husband, and the family lived for many years in a one-room flat (known in Scottish working class language as a 'single end'), although it seems eventually one of her uncles relented and came to their aid.[3] Alec's earliest ventures into acting were in local theatres.[4]

He seems to have chosen the pseudonym Simon Lack when he embarked upon the London stage.

He lost five years during the Second World War (as did so many British actors). He served in the European theatre and was present at Monte Cassino.

After the war he returned to acting, getting back into stage work.[5]

He was also a member of the BBC Radio company during the late 1950s/early 1960s, and notably guest-starred in all but two of the Paul Temple serials (mysteries) that starred Peter Coke and Marjorie Westbury.[6]

His television roles included two Doctor Who serials; The Mind of Evil (1971) and The Androids of Tara (1978). He also guest-starred in episodes of The Saint, Jason King, and Doomwatch. He had co-starring roles in Telford's Change, Enemy at the Door and The Borgias.[7]

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
1938 They Drive by Night Roy Allen - brother of man to be executed
1939 Goodbye, Mr. Chips Wainwright Uncredited
1939 Sons of the Sea Philip Hyde
1940 The Proud Valley Emlyn Parry
1940 Just William Robert Brown
1947 The Silver Darlings Don
1948 Bonnie Prince Charlie Young Alan of Moidart
1956 Port of Escape Reporter Uncredited
1960 Clue of the Twisted Candle Jock
1960 Cone of Silence Navigator #1
1961 On the Fiddle Fl / Lt Baldwin
1961 The Court Martial of Major Keller Wilson
1962 The Durant Affair Roland Farley
1962 The Longest Day Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory Uncredited
1963 Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow Dragoon Corporal
1969 Battle of Britain RAF Officer Uncredited
1969 Night After Night After Night Endell's Q.C.
1969 The Bushbaby First Officer
1970 Trog Colonel Vickers
1971 All at Sea Mr Parker
1980 Love in a Cold Climate Doctor

References[]

  1. ^ "Simon Lack". BFI. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007.
  2. ^ "National Portrait Gallery - Portrait - NPG x76211; Simon Lack (Alexander MacAlpine)". npg.org.uk.
  3. ^ McMurtrie, M (Great niece, from personal knowledge of 'Uncle Alec' and immediate family information)
  4. ^ "The Simon Lack Affair - Biography". volcanoseven.com.
  5. ^ Caroline Miniscule. "The Face and the Voice: Simon Lack - an Obit". thefaceadthevoice.blogspot.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Paul Temple And The Spencer Affair". radiolistings.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Simon Lack". TV.com. CBS Interactive.

External links[]



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