Person Biography:
Born to shine on stage and screen, this Liverpudlian character actor was instantly recognisable for his distinctive beard and impressive range of period productions, police dramas, sitcoms, and soaps that spanned five decades. Extremely prolific and versatile, he took on a multitude of roles, effortlessly switching between bellicose, shifty, dependable, bucolic, curmudgeonly, and avuncular types.
He made a lasting impression as PC Wilmot in the Yorkshire-based sitcom Rosie (1977) and as the titular character in the sci-fi comedy Kinvig (1981) penned by Nigel Kneale. His notable performances included the deliriously mad Milo Renfield in Dracula (1979). Among his numerous supporting roles, a list of standouts might include Gridley, the ruined chancery appellant in Bleak House (2005); Mr. Prowse, Commander Hornblower's experienced sailing master aboard the HMS Hotspur; Vic Snow in Where the Heart Is (1997); nouveau-riche timber merchant Melbury in The Woodlanders (1997); and the slightly seedy consular chauffeur Fidel Sanchez in Farrington of the F.O. (1986). He also voiced the slow-witted, mercilessly hen-pecked antagonist Mr. Tweedy in Aardman's animated feature Chicken Run (2000).
Before finding his calling on stage, Haygarth briefly tried his luck in other fields, including a stint as a lifeguard in Torquay and a psychiatric nurse at Sefton Hospital in Liverpool. He then transitioned to more distinguished roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Vic, and the National Theatre. His accolades included the Clarence Derwent Award in 1996 for his part in the play "Simpatico" and in 2003 appeared with Zoë Wanamaker in "His Girl Friday" and alongside Kenneth Branagh in "Edmond". Starting in 2007, he appeared as Alfred Doolittle in Peter Hall's production of "Pygmalion", a performance described by the reviewer of The Daily Telegraph as "delightfully funny" and "scene-stealing".
