Michael Bates
Known for Acting · 58 credits
- Born
- 1920-12-04
- Died
- 1978-01-11
- Place of birth
- Jhansi, British India (now Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)
- Also known as
- Michael Hammond Bates
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Hammond Bates was an Indian-born English actor. He was educated at Uppingham School in Rutland and St Catharine's College, Cambridge.
Bates served as a Major serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas in Burma before his discharge at the end of World War II. In 1953, while an ensemble member with the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, he appeared in Richard III and All's Well That End's Well. In 1956 he appeared in Hotel Paradiso which starred Alec Guinness, at the Winter Garden Theatre in London.
He appeared in many UK television series including Last of the Summer Wine from 1973 to 1975 as Cyril Blamire and It Ain't Half Hot Mum from 1974 to 1977 as Rangi Ram, as well as many others. His role as Rangi Ram caused some controversy as it required Bates to be made-up with fake tan to look like an Indian, which he took to naturally as he was born in India and spoke the Hindi language fluently. On radio he played a variety of characters in the BBC's long-running comedy series The Navy Lark. These were: Able Seaman Ginger, Lt. Bates, Rear Admiral Ironbridge, the Padre and Captain Ignatius Aloysius Atchison.
Bates' film roles include Battle of Britain (1969) as Warrant Officer Warwick, Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) as a Lance-corporal, Patton (1970) as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery (to whom he bore a striking resemblance), Frenzy (1972) by Alfred Hitchcock, and the Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange (1971). On stage, he did Shakespeare at Stratford and the Old Vic and made a big impression as Inspector Truscott in the West End production of Loot by Joe Orton in 1966. He died of cancer in Cambridge, aged 57.
Known For
TV Shows (27)
The Saint
1962
as Joe
BBC Play of the Month
1965
as Professor Godbole
The Wednesday Play
1964
as Joe / Mike MacFarland / Tommy
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
as Cyril Blamire
ITV Playhouse
1967
as Mr. Ambekar / Harold Radcliff
Theatre 625
1964
as Shpichelsky
No Hiding Place
1959
Sunday Night Theatre
1950
as Starveling
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Fred / George
Public Eye
1965
as George
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
1971
as Colonel Sandstream
Ivanhoe
1958
as Will The Simple
Jason King
1971
Budgie
1971
as Minces Nutty
Man in a Suitcase
1967
as Delacroix
Fall of Eagles
1974
as Von Ludendorff
It Ain't Half Hot Mum
1974
as Rangi Ram
Cilla
1968
as Self
Ooh La La!
1968
as Vatelin
The Four Just Men
1959
as Corporal Bates
The Misfit
1970
as Sgt. Wilfreds
Armchair Theatre
1956
Male of the Species
1969
as Fred
Six Dates with Barker
1971
as Gasman
Thursday Theatre
1964
as Tommy
Cluff
1964
The Dick Emery Show
1963
Movies (31)
A Clockwork Orange
1971
as Chief Guard
Patton
1970
as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery
Frenzy
1972
as DS Spearman
Battle of Britain
1969
as Warrant Officer Warwick
Dunkirk
1958
as Froome
Bedazzled
1967
as Inspector Clarke
Oh! What a Lovely War
1969
as Drunk Lance Corporal
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones
1976
as Madman
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
1968
as Mr. McGregor
No Sex Please - We're British
1973
as Mr. Arnold Needham
I'm All Right Jack
1959
as Bootle
Salt & Pepper
1968
as Inspector Crabbe
Every Home Should Have One
1970
as Magistrate
Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River
1968
as Dr. Spink
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
1970
as Mr. Spimm
Carrington V.C.
1954
as Major Broke-Smith
Gulliver's Travels
1977
as (voice)
Hammerhead
1968
as Andreas / Sir Richard
Male of the Species
1969
as Fred
The Spanish Gardener
1956
as Consular Official (uncredited)
Arthur? Arthur!
1969
as Mr. Harrington
A Midsummer Night's Dream
1958
as Starveling
The Stratford Adventure
1954
as Self
The Stone Tape
1972
as Eddie Holmes
The Fox Trot
1971
as Arthur
The Brahmin Widow
1968
as Mr. Ambekar
Macready's Gala
1966
as Mike MacFarland
A Passage to India
1965
as Professor Godbole
Sling Your Hook
1969
as Joe
Hokusai: An Animated Sketchbook
1978
as Narrator
Quay South
1955
as Captain Alan Gerald
About Michael Bates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Hammond Bates was an Indian-born English actor. He was educated at Uppingham School in Rutland and St Catharine's College, Cambridge. Bates served as a Major serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas in Burma before his discharge at the end of World War II. In 1953, while an ensemble member with the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, he appeared in Richard III and All's Well That End's Well. In 1956 he appeared in Hotel Paradiso which starred Alec Guinness, at the Winter Garden Theatre in London.… With 58 credits spanning from 1950 to 1978, Michael Bates has appeared in 31 films and 27 TV shows.
Fans searching for Michael Bates movies, Michael Bates filmography, or the latest projects starring Michael Bates can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Michael Bates Movies
- A Clockwork Orange (1971) — as Chief Guard
- Patton (1970) — as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery
- Frenzy (1972) — as DS Spearman
- Battle of Britain (1969) — as Warrant Officer Warwick
- Dunkirk (1958) — as Froome
Where to Watch Michael Bates Films
Most Michael Bates 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 Bates, check our movies catalogue and browse page.