George Cole OBE was a veteran British film, television, and stage actor whose illustrious career spanned over 60 years, earning him a household name long before his iconic role as Arthur Daley in the hit ITV drama series Minder (1979).
In the 1940s, Cole began his successful film career, appearing alongside Alastair Sim and Sir John Mills in the film Bombsight Stolen (1941). He continued to thrive throughout the 1950s and 1960s, playing the role of "Flash Harry" in the popular St Trinians films, alongside his close friend and mentor, Alastair Sim.
By 1963, Hollywood had recognized Cole's talents, and he was cast in the iconic film Cleopatra (1963),starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison. During the 1970s, George continued to star in films and television programmes, becoming a regular and sought-after actor.
It is noteworthy that, in 1971, he appeared alongside Dennis Waterman, who would later become his Minder (1979) co-star, in the horror film Fright (1971). In 1979, Cole was cast as the hapless Arthur Daley, a self-proclaimed entrepreneur in the ITV drama Minder (1979),a role he played until 1994. This role showcased Cole's acting prowess and brought him to the attention of a younger audience.
As well as starring in Minder (1979),George continued with other projects in film and television, including Root Into Europe (1992),An Independent Man (1995),Mary Reilly (1996),Dad (1997),Station Jim (2001),Bodily Harm (2002),and, alongside his good friend Dennis Waterman, in the BBC hit drama New Tricks (2003).
He also starred in several stage productions, and it is hoped that Cole will not be remembered simply for portraying Arthur Daley, but instead for being one of Britain's most enduring actors, one of only a handful of actors who can claim to have had a 60-year career, and for being an extremely likable and charismatic man.
