Michael Balfour
Known for Acting · 125 credits
- Born
- 1918-02-11
- Died
- 1997-10-24
- Place of birth
- Dover, Kent, England, UK
- Also known as
- Michael S. Creighton-Balfour · Michael Creighton Balfour
Biography
Michael Creighton Balfour (11 February 1918 – 24 October 1997) was an English actor, working mainly in British films and TV, following his TV debut in the BBC's The Marvellous History of St Bernard, in 1938. He was a recognisable face, often in small character parts and supporting roles, in nearly two hundred films and TV shows, from the 1940s to the 1990s, often playing comical heavies or otherwise shady characters notable for their "loud" clothes, sometimes convincingly cast as an American.
He worked for a roll call of film directors, including Tony Richardson, Pete Walker, Billy Wilder, Lewis Gilbert, Roman Polanski, Leslie Norman, Tim Burton, John Frankenheimer, François Truffaut, John Gilling, Stanley Donen, Ken Annakin, Cavalcanti, Lance Comfort, Terence Young, Gerald Thomas, Pasolini, John Paddy Carstairs, Terence Fisher, Val Guest, Frank Launder, John Huston, Basil Dearden and Howard Hawks.
Balfour had parts in many popular TV shows of the era including Educated Evans, Mess Mates, Danger Man, The Avengers, Hancock's Half Hour, Dixon of Dock Green, Rogue's Gallery, Z-Cars, The Onedin Line, and the detective drama The Vise, playing Saber's assistant Barney O'Keefe.
Balfour was also known as the passenger in a Jaguar XK120 car driven by actor Bonar Colleano when it crashed, killing Colleano. Balfour's injuries required him to have 98 stitches, but he was released from hospital in time to attend Colleano's funeral.
As his screen career began to slow down in the late 1970s, Michael Balfour went on tour with European circuses, as a clown. He founded Circus Hazzard, and created his own clown character. His son later became a circus manager.
Known For
TV Shows (29)
The Avengers
1961
as Tom
Dixon of Dock Green
1955
as Joe Ward / Pip Rutley / Bill Nelson / Nicky Medwin / Hobbs
The Persuaders!
1971
as Donkey Cart Driver
Sunday Night Theatre
1950
as Rudolfo
The Prisoner
1967
as Will
Danger Man
1960
as Gaston
Dempsey and Makepeace
1985
as Jim Kelly
Interpol Calling
1959
as Russ / Inspector Hill
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Tom Meatyard
Hancock's Half Hour
1956
Department S
1969
as Eccles
New Scotland Yard
1972
as Fred Larch
Sailor of Fortune
1957
as Alphonso Italian Ship's Engineer
The Larkins
1958
as Sharkey
Steptoe and Son
1962
as Charlie Miller
The Cheaters
1960
as Harry / Freddy
The Jazz Age
1968
as Porky
Kelly Monteith
1979
Strange Experiences
1955
as Man
Armchair Theatre
1956
as Mr. Bollanger / Ward
The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder
1969
as Albert
Late Night Theatre
1972
as Alf
It's Not Me - It's Them!
1965
as Reginald
Theatre '70
1960
as Chuck
Mickey Dunne
1967
as Porridge
Cold Comfort Farm
1968
as Earl P. Neck
Escape
1967
as Beaver
Rogues' Gallery
1968
as Tom Meatyard
Reluctant Bandit
1965
as Luigi
Movies (96)
Batman
1989
as Scientist
Fahrenheit 451
1966
as Book Person: Machiavelli's 'The Prince' (uncredited)
The Canterbury Tales
1972
as The Carpenter
Venetian Bird
1952
as Moretto
Sink the Bismarck!
1960
as Able Seaman - Lookout on 'Suffolk' (uncredited)
Barbados Quest
1955
as Barney Wilson
The Adventurers
1970
as Detective
Quatermass 2
1957
as Harry
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
1970
as Cabby
The Krays
1990
as Referee
Resting Rough
1979
Macbeth
1971
as First Murderer
The Flesh and the Fiends
1960
as Drunken Sailor
Kaleidoscope
1966
as Poker Player
Casanova
1987
Look Back in Anger
1959
as Picky Shopper (uncredited)
The Sea Shall Not Have Them
1954
as Dray
One Good Turn
1955
as Boxing Spectator (uncredited)
Three's Company
1953
as The Drunk
The Holcroft Covenant
1985
as Hard Hat
The Prisoner of Zenda
1979
The Oblong Box
1969
as Ruddock
Helter Skelter
1949
as Barman (uncredited)
Moulin Rouge
1952
as Dodo (uncredited)
Obsession
1949
as American Sailor Promoting Book
I Was a Male War Bride
1949
as Male Billet Sergeant (uncredited)
The Red Beret
1953
as American Sergeant
The Delavine Affair
1955
as Sammy
Too Hot to Handle
1960
as Tourist Guide
Prelude to Fame
1950
as Lucio
Press for Time
1966
as Sewerman
No Orchids for Miss Blandish
1948
as Barney
A Stitch in Time
1963
as Workman with Mallet (uncredited)
Joseph Andrews
1977
as Ruffian
Hot Ice
1953
as Jacobson
Candleshoe
1977
as Mr. McCress
The Small Voice
1948
as Frankie
Sleeping Car to Trieste
1948
as Spiegel
Pit of Darkness
1961
as Fisher
Melody Club
1949
as Max
William Comes to Town
1948
as Stall-holder
The Steel Bayonet
1958
as Pte. Thomas
The Rescue Squad
1963
as Barrow-Boy
Genevieve
1953
as Trumpeter (Uncredited)
Carry On Constable
1960
as Matt
Revenge of Billy the Kid
1992
as Gyles MacDonald
Don't Ever Leave Me
1949
as Jim Kennedy
3 Steps to the Gallows
1953
as Carter, boxing fan
The Fast Lady
1962
as Bandit
The Reluctant Bride
1955
as Boxer
Meet Mr. Callaghan
1954
as Coffee Stallkeeper
Man of Violence
1970
as Cafe Owner
The Ship That Couldn't Stop
1961
as Mr. Bollanger
13 East Street
1952
as Joey Long
Top Secret
1952
as Jersey Sailor
Scarlet Web
1954
as Barman
The Diamond Wizard
1954
as Hoxie
Albert R.N.
1953
as Hank
Park Plaza 605
1953
as Ted Birston
Surprise Package
1960
as Oscar
Strangler's Web
1965
as John Vichelski
Recoil
1953
as Parkes
River Beat
1954
as Adams
All Coppers Are...
1972
as Heart Attack Victim (uncredited)
Just William's Luck
1947
as Tonks
Her Favourite Husband
1950
as Pete
Breakaway
1956
as Barney
Impulse
1954
as uncredited
Secret Venture
1955
as Stevens
Fiend Without a Face
1958
as Sgt. Kasper
The Big Money
1958
as 'Wilberforce'
Stop Press Girl
1949
as Crook (uncredited)
A Case For P.C. 49
1951
as Chubby Price
Echo of Diana
1963
as Newsagent
The Steel Key
1953
as 'The Mae McCleod' Captain
She Always Gets Their Man
1962
as Runkle
Woman Hater
1948
as Reporter (uncredited)
Johnny on the Run
1953
It's a Great Day
1955
as Charlie Mead's Mate
The Stick Up
1977
as Sam
Delayed Action
1954
as Honey
Black 13
1953
as Joe
Light Fingers
1957
as The Major
Man from Tangier
1957
as Spade
The Monster of Highgate Ponds
1961
as Bert
The Quiet Woman
1951
as Lefty Brown
The Secret of the Forest
1956
as Len
Small Town Story
1953
as Turner
Love in Pawn
1953
as Alaric
The Copter Kids
1976
as Benny Baker
Design for Loving
1962
as Bernie
Devil's Point
1954
as Bennett, short henchman
Scrapbook for 1933
1950
as (voice)
Help Yourself
1950
as Charlie
Five Have a Mystery to Solve
1964
as Emilio
Hoverbug
1969
as Mr. Gutteridge
About Michael Balfour
Michael Creighton Balfour (11 February 1918 – 24 October 1997) was an English actor, working mainly in British films and TV, following his TV debut in the BBC's The Marvellous History of St Bernard, in 1938. He was a recognisable face, often in small character parts and supporting roles, in nearly two hundred films and TV shows, from the 1940s to the 1990s, often playing comical heavies or otherwise shady characters notable for their "loud" clothes, sometimes convincingly cast as an American. He worked for a roll call of film directors, includ… With 125 credits spanning from 1947 to 1992, Michael Balfour has appeared in 96 films and 29 TV shows.
Fans searching for Michael Balfour movies, Michael Balfour filmography, or the latest projects starring Michael Balfour can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Michael Balfour Movies
- Batman (1989) — as Scientist
- Fahrenheit 451 (1966) — as Book Person: Machiavelli's 'The Prince' (uncredited)
- The Canterbury Tales (1972) — as The Carpenter
- Venetian Bird (1952) — as Moretto
- Sink the Bismarck! (1960) — as Able Seaman - Lookout on 'Suffolk' (uncredited)
Where to Watch Michael Balfour Films
Most Michael Balfour movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Michael Balfour, check our movies catalogue and browse page.