Harry Towb, a renowned character actor, was born in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to Jewish parents, with his father being a Russian emigrant. Notably, Towb once claimed to be the only Jew ever born in Larne, adding a unique dimension to his identity. Growing up in Belfast, he made his stage debut at the Guildhall Theatre in Londonderry in 1946, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.
As he transitioned to England in the 1950s, Towb became affiliated with prestigious institutions such as the National Theatre, the Abbey and Gate Theatres in Dublin, and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). His impressive range and versatility as an actor led to numerous performances on British television, featuring a wide variety of roles. In the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who, Towb made two appearances, with his second outing in Terror of the Autons: Episode Two (1971) showcasing one of the show's most chilling scenes, where his character is suffocated by a plastic chair.
Throughout his career, Towb frequently appeared in films, often taking on roles as priests or law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, Towb passed away just three days shy of his 84th birthday, leaving behind his wife, the actress Diana Hoddinott, as well as their children Emily, Daniel, and Joshua, and three granddaughters.
