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Harry Andrews was a renowned British character actor known for his massive granite face and square jaw. Despite his physical appearance, he set himself apart with his brilliant stage and screen work. Andrews graduated from Wrekin College in Shropshire and began his career in the stage, appearing with Liverpool Repertory in 1933. He was befriended by stage star John Gielgud, who invited him to New York and Broadway as part of the cast of "Hamlet" in 1935.
Andrews then did a run of plays in the West End and was soon invited into Gielgud's own stage company. He was then asked to join the Old Vic Company by its director Laurence Olivier, where he honed his skills and became a versatile actor. Andrews was described by London theater critic Kenneth Tynan as "the backbone of British theater."
He made his debut on British experimental television in 1939 and later on American television in 1952. His big screen debut came in 1953 in the film "Paratrooper," where he played a disciplined military man. From there, he went on to play a wide range of roles, including ancient and medieval noble roles, military men, and comedic characters.
Andrews' most famous non-com roles include Sergeant Major Tom Pugh in "Ice Cold in Alex" and Sergeant Major Bert Wilson in "The Hill." He also played the great Renaissance architect Donato Bramante in "The Agony and the Ecstasy" and a flamboyant homosexual in the black comedy "Entertaining Mr Sloane."
Despite his difficulty with memorizing lines, Andrews excelled in his roles and was known for his sense of humor and no-nonsense personality. He was a favorite among younger actors and was praised by his co-stars for his courage and encouragement. Throughout his career, Andrews filled over 100 roles with a giant's footsteps, leaving a lasting impact on the world of acting.
