John Bennett, a lean and emaciated-looking individual, pursued his passion for acting by studying at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Following years of experience in repertory theatre, he made his feature film debut in 1960, and subsequently appeared regularly on British screens.
Throughout his career, Bennett demonstrated his versatility by taking on diverse ethnic roles, often applying heavy make-up and showcasing his impressive range of accents and dialects. One of his earliest notable appearances was as the menacing Injun Joe in the BBC children's series The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1960.
Bennett's talent for playing complex characters led to a high demand for his services in crime-time TV series, including The Avengers, The Saint, and Z Cars. He effortlessly transitioned between menacing roles and law enforcement, showcasing his exceptional acting skills.
In feature films, Bennett primarily appeared in background supporting roles, except for his starring role in the lesser-known drama The Barber of Stamford Hill in 1963. He also played a significant part in the anthology horror film The House That Dripped Blood in 1971, as the sceptical investigating Chief Inspector.
Bennett's impressive range of characters continued with his portrayals of Joseph Goebbels in Hitler: The Last Ten Days in 1973, French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau in the acclaimed miniseries Fall of Eagles in 1974, and Greek historian and philosopher Xenophon in I, Claudius in 1976.
The actor's notable appearances in Doctor Who included two guest roles, one of which was as the Fu Manchu lookalike, Li H'sen Chang, an evil Chinese magician and hypnotist roaming Victorian-era London in search of victims to aid in his master's reincarnation in the episode "The Talons of Weng-Chiang". Bennett's performance was widely praised for avoiding caricature and instead conveying dignity and sympathy.
In addition to his screen work, Bennett remained an incredibly busy stage performer, taking on classical roles at the National Theatre and with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as starring in West End revivals of notable musicals such as "The King and I" in 1979 and "The Sound of Music" in 1981.
