Geoffrey Chater was a renowned character actor, celebrated for his effortless poise and subtle haughtiness, which made him a natural fit for playing figures of authority and privilege. Born in Barnet, north London, Chater was inspired to become an actor at the age of eight, after watching his mother perform in Merton Hodge's comedy The Wind and the Rain.
After boarding at Marlborough College, Chater joined the army in 1940, rising to the rank of captain, and spent the war in India and Burma, where he became involved in morale-boosting revues. Returning home, he began his professional career with Windsor rep and made his West End debut in 1952.
Throughout his career, Chater appeared in numerous stage productions, including works by Giles Cooper, Thomas Middleton, and Harold Pinter. He also had a long and distinguished career in television, appearing in over 50 shows, including Crying Down the Lane, Callan, Mapp & Lucia, and Rumpole of the Bailey.
On film, Chater appeared in a wide range of roles, including Gandhi, Endless Night, If...., Barry Lyndon, and O Lucky Man!. He also appeared in a number of unlikely projects, including Reg Varney's drag-act monstrosity, The Best Pair of Legs in the Business.
Chater's final role was in the 2005 television series The Thin Blue Line. He passed away on October 16, 2021, at the age of 100, leaving behind his wife Jennifer Hill, their daughter, and two sons.
