British character actor, renowned for his remarkable ability to bring eccentric and whimsical characters to life, particularly those inspired by the works of Charles Dickens. Born to Sir Dingwall Bateson, a prominent figure in British society, he was awarded a scholarship to Wadham College, where he honed his acting skills with the Oxford University Dramatic Society.
Upon graduating, he was handpicked by Alberto Cavalcanti to play the role of Lord Verisopht in the Ealing production of "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" in 1947. Bateson made his theatrical debut at the Old Vic the following year in a production of "Twelfth Night".
His performance as Lucky in "Waiting for Godot" at the Arts Theatre in London in 1955 earned him widespread critical acclaim. Throughout his career, Bateson demonstrated his versatility by taking on a wide range of roles, from Shakespearean classics such as "Richard III" in 1955 to social dramas like "The Outsider" in 1948, and even lightweight farces like "The Mouse That Roared" in 1959.
A longstanding member of the BBC radio repertory company, Bateson was also in high demand for voice-over work, lending his voice to various projects, including the role of Kreacher in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2007. On television, he appeared in numerous popular shows, playing small roles such as scientists, police officers, and clerks, in productions like "The Avengers" in 1961, "Z Cars" in 1962, and "Doctor Who" in 1963.
