Peter Howell, a renowned English actor, left an indelible mark on both the stage and screen. Despite his advantageous upbringing, which included education at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford, where he was forced to leave early due to his wartime service as an officer in the Rifle Brigade during World War II.
Throughout his life, Howell remained an ardent and dedicated member of the Labour Party, actively campaigning for various social causes. One of his most notable roles was that of the governor in Alan Clarke's 1979 film adaptation of Scum, a performance that he undertook with the intention of drawing attention to the pressing issues surrounding the penal system.
A lifelong enthusiast of cricket, Howell was a long-standing member of the Marylebone Cricket Club. He vocally opposed the club's planned 1968-69 England cricket tour of apartheid-era South Africa, which ultimately resulted in the tour being cancelled. His commitment to social justice and his unwavering dedication to his craft are testaments to his remarkable character.
In addition to his acting career, Howell played a significant role in the development of the Watermans Arts Centre in Chiswick, west London, a cultural institution that has since become a beloved fixture in the community. Sadly, Howell passed away at Denville Hall, a home for retired actors in Northwood, London, on April 20, 2015, after a short illness, at the age of 95.
