KH
Ken Hutchison
Actor
Born November 24, 1943Died August 9, 2021 (77 years)
One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Play for Today: Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1974). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.
Filmography
| 1995 | Hamish Macbeth (TV Series) · as Harry Dobbs |
| 1994 | Cardiac Arrest (TV Series) · as Drunk Driver |
| 1994 | 99-1 (TV Series) · as Henry Ellis |
| 1993 | As an Eilean · as Macalasdair |
| 1991 | Blonde Fist · as John O'dowd |
| 1990 | The Chief (1990) (TV Series) · as Bernie Chandler |
| 1986 | Casualty (TV Series) · as Mr. Draper |
| 1985 | Ladyhawke · as Marquet |
| 1984 | The Bill (TV Series) · as Alan Pearce |
| 1983 | Taggart (TV Series) · as George Donaldson |
| 1982 | Gandhi · as Police Sergeant |
| 1982 | The World Cup: A Captain's Tale · as Jimmy Dickenson |
| 1982 | Murphy's Mob (TV Series) · as Mac Murphy |
| 1981 | Masada (TV Series) · as Fronto |
| 1979 | All Quiet on the Western Front · as Hammacher |
| 1979 | Just a Boys' Game · as Dancer Dunnichy |
| 1979 | Minder (TV Series) · as Brickett |
| 1979 | Shoestring (TV Series) · as Ken Beatty |
| 1978 | Wuthering Heights (1978) (TV Series) · as Heathcliff |
| 1978 | Strangers (TV Series) · as Det. Insp. Bruce |
| 1978 | Sweeney 2 · as Hill |
| 1978 | Hazell (TV Series) · as Michael Mcgeegan |
| 1977 | Target (TV Series) · as Sharkey |
| 1977 | Rosie (TV Series) · as Mooney |
| 1975 | The Wild West Show (TV Series) · as Tony |
| 1975 | Space: 1999 (TV Series) · as Greg Sanderson |
| 1975 | Just Another Saturday · as Rab |
| 1975 | Deadly Strangers · as Jim Nicholls |
| 1975 | The Sweeney (TV Series) · as Vincent Vaughan |
| 1973 | Sutherland's Law (TV Series) · as Park |
| 1972 | Arthur of the Britons (TV Series) · as Gawain |
| 1972 | The Wrath of God · as Emmet Keogh |
| 1972 | The Protectors (TV Series) · as Mark Jenner |
| 1971 | Straw Dogs · as Norman Scutt |
| 1971 | The Onedin Line (TV Series) · as Matt Harvey |
| 1971 | The Guardians (TV Series) · as Second Guardian |
| 1970 | Play for Today (TV Series) · as Macey |
| 1970 | I Am a Groupie · as Colin |
| 1970 | Julius Caesar · as Plebian |
| 1969 | Softly Softly Task Force (TV Series) · as Smith |
| 1967 | ITV Playhouse (TV Series) · as Ted |
| 1962 | Z Cars (TV Series) · as Dennis Knowles |
| 1955 | Dixon of Dock Green (TV Series) · as 2nd Customer |