Who was Alan Bates? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In February

Also Known As: Sir Alan Arthur Bates

Died At Age: 69

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Victoria Ward

father: Harold Arthur Bates

mother: Florence Mary Wheatcroft

siblings: John Bates, Martin Bates

children: Benedick Bates, Tristan Bates

Born Country: England

Gays Actors

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

Died on: December 27, 2003

place of death: Westminster, London, England

Cause of Death: Pancreatic Cancer

City: Derby, England

More Facts

education: Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art

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What were some notable works of Alan Bates?

Some notable works of Alan Bates include "Women in Love," "An Unmarried Woman," "Gosford Park," "The Entertainer," and "The Cherry Orchard."
2

Did Alan Bates have any significant collaborations with other actors or directors?

Alan Bates collaborated with directors like John Schlesinger and actors like Glenda Jackson and Oliver Reed in several successful projects.
3

What was Alan Bates known for besides his acting career?

In addition to his acting career, Alan Bates was known for his passion for painting and his work as a stage director in the theater.
4

How did Alan Bates approach his craft as an actor?

Alan Bates was known for his dedication to his craft, often immersing himself in the characters he portrayed and bringing a sense of authenticity to his performances.
5

What impact did Alan Bates have on the film and theater industry?

Alan Bates was highly respected in the film and theater industry for his versatile performances and contributions to the art form, influencing many aspiring actors and artists.

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Childhood & Early Life

Alan Arthur Bates was born on 17 February 1934 in Allestree, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, as one of the three sons of Florence Mary and Harold Arthur Bates. His father, an insurance broker was also an amateur cellist while his homemaker mother loved to play the piano.

He was encouraged by his parents to pursue music as a young boy. However, the young Bates had decided by the time he was 11 that he wanted to be an actor.

He attended the Herbert Strutt Grammar School and earned a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he was trained under Albert Finney and Peter O'Toole.

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Career

He began his acting career with the Midland Theatre Company and made his stage debut in 1955. His role as Cliff in ‘Look Back in Anger’ in 1956 got him noticed for his acting skills. The role, which he played on several occasions over the next two years, paved the way for a career in television.

He reprised the role of Cliff for a television play and also appeared on several other plays for television in the late 1950s. His successful television career motivated him to try his fortune in Hollywood.

In 1960, he appeared in his first film role in ‘The Entertainer’ opposite Laurence Olivier. Over the next few years he emerged as a popular actor with roles in several major films like ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ (1961), ‘A Kind of Loving’ (1962), ‘Zorba the Greek’ (1964), ‘King of Hearts’ (1966), and ‘Georgy Girl’ (1966).

Open to taking up unconventional roles, he played the character of Rupert Birkin, a man with homosexual tendencies, in ‘Women in Love’ (1969). The film which explored the relationships between two sisters and two men in a mining town in post First World War England was a huge critical hit.

In the 1970s he gained much international acclaim for his roles in movies like ‘An Unmarried Woman’ (1978) and ‘The Rose’ (1979). He was also active on television during the 1970s and played the role of the ultimately-disgraced lead, Michael Henchard, in the miniseries ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ (1978).

While he remained active in films and television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, some of his most notable roles happened later in his career. In 2001, he was a part of the ensemble cast in the mystery film ‘Gosford Park’ which went on to become a critical as well as commercial hit.

Major Works

His role as Yakov Bok, a Jew living in the Russian Empire, in the film ‘The Fixer’ was a much appreciated one. His poignant portrayal of a man who is unjustly imprisoned based on prejudice earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

In ‘Zorba the Greek’, he portrayed Basil, a half-English, half-Greek writer raised in Britain, in another one of his memorable roles. The film, which also had Anthony Quinn in a major role, was a smash hit.

Awards & Achievements

In 1971, he won the Evening Standard Best Actor Award for the play ‘Butley.’ In 1972, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor for the same play.

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He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1996, and was knighted in 2003.

He was given the Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award for ‘Unexpected Man’ in 2000.

His performance in ‘Fortune's Fool’ earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in 2002.

Personal Life & Legacy

Alan Bates married actress Victoria Ward in 1970. The couple had twin sons, Benedick and Tristan. Their marriage was a troubled one from the beginning though the couple did not divorce.

Bates had numerous relationships with men, including those with actors Nickolas Grace and Peter Wyngarde. However, he always denied that he was gay and went to great lengths to keep his personal life private.

He also had a relationship with Welsh actress Angharad Rees and was close friends with actress Joanna Pettet.

His son Tristan died of an apparent drug overdose as a 19 year old in 1990. The incident shattered Bates and he never recovered fully from this loss. Along with his family, he set up the Tristan Bates Theatre, at the Actors' Centre in Covent Garden, in memory of his son.

He was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in January 2003. He also suffered from numerous other health problems over the next few months and died on 27 December 2003. He was 69.

Facts About Alan Bates

Alan Bates was known for his love of gardening and often spent his free time tending to his plants and flowers.

He was a talented painter and enjoyed creating artwork as a way to relax and unwind outside of his acting career.

Bates had a passion for cooking and was known among friends and family for his delicious homemade meals.

He had a great sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes on set to keep things light-hearted during filming.

Bates was an avid traveler and enjoyed exploring different cultures and cuisines around the world in his free time.

Alan Bates Biography

You wanted to know

What were some notable works of Alan Bates?

Did Alan Bates have any significant collaborations with other actors or directors?

What was Alan Bates known for besides his acting career?

How did Alan Bates approach his craft as an actor?

What impact did Alan Bates have on the film and theater industry?