Who was Saeed Jaffrey? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In January, Indian Celebrities Born In January

Died At Age: 86

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jennifer Jaffrey, Madhur Jaffrey (m. 1958–1965)

siblings: Hamid Jaffery, Shagufta Parveen Jaffrey

children: Meera Jaffrey, Sakina Jaffrey, Zia Jaffrey

Born Country: India

Actors British Men

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Males

Died on: November 15, 2015

place of death: London, England, United Kingdom

Cause of Death: Brain Hemorrhage

Notable Alumni: Actors Studio, University Of Allahabad

More Facts

education: The Catholic University Of America, University Of Allahabad, Aligarh Muslim University, Actors Studio

Recommended For You

1

Is Saeed Jaffrey still alive?

No, Saeed Jaffrey passed away on November 15, 2015.
2

What are some famous films of Saeed Jaffrey?

Some of the notable films of Saeed Jaffrey include "Gandhi," "My Beautiful Laundrette," and "The Man Who Would Be King."
3

Did Saeed Jaffrey work in Hollywood?

Yes, Saeed Jaffrey appeared in several Hollywood productions, including "The Man Who Would Be King" and "Gandhi."
4

Was Saeed Jaffrey a versatile actor?

Yes, Saeed Jaffrey was known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters in both comedic and dramatic roles.
5

Did Saeed Jaffrey receive any prestigious awards for his acting?

Yes, Saeed Jaffrey was honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1995 for his services to drama.

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Childhood & Early Life

Saeed Jaffrey was born on January 8, 1929, in Malerkotla, Punjab region in British India, to Punjabi Muslim parents Dr. Hamid Hussain and his wife Hamida Begum. His father served as a physician in United Provinces of British India’s Health Services department. He had three siblings, sister Shagufta and brothers Hameed and Waheed.

In 1938, he enrolled at Minto Circle School at Aligarh Muslim University where he mastered the Urdu language and also developed his talent for mimicry.

In 1941, he studied at Wynberg Allen School and later graduated from St. George's College, Mussoorie. At his schools, Jaffrey started participating in school theatrical productions.

Following his graduation from college, he earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Allahabad University. He later earned his second postgraduate degree from Catholic University of America in the year 1957.

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Career

In 1951, Saeed Jaffrey flew to New Delhi and got the job of an English announcer at All India Radio. Later that year, he set up the repertory company, Unity Theatre, alongside 'Benji' Benegal and Frank Thakurdas, whose first production with ‘The Eagle Has Two Heads’.

At Unity Theatre, he and his first wife Madhur Bahadur acted together in numerous plays including ‘A Phoenix Too Frequent,’ ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ and ‘Othello.’

In 1957, Jaffrey joined St. Michael’s Playhouse and also toured with the National Players, becoming the first ever Indian to perform in Shakespearean plays across USA.

He played a role in the Off-Broadway production of ‘Blood Wedding’ in 1958. In 1960, the actor provided the narration for the Oscar-nominated short movie ‘The Creation of Woman’.

From January to May 1962, he played Professor Godbole in a stage adaption of ‘A Passage to India’. Two years later, Jaffrey developed the touring company Theater In The Street and starred in ‘The Doctor Despite Himself.’

He became the first Indian to have a starring role in West End theatre when he was cast in ‘On A Foggy Day’. In 1966, he recorded a narration of the Kama Sutra titled ‘The Art of Love.’

During the 1970s, the actor appeared in several English films including ‘The Wilby Conspiracy’ and ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ and also appeared in the British series ‘Gangsters’.

In the 1980s, he had roles in the British drama series ‘Tandoori Nights’ and ‘The Jewel in the Crown’. During this time period, he also featured in the epic historical flick ‘Gandhi’ and in the comedy drama movie ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’.

In 1994, Jaffrey starred in the serial ‘Little Napoleons’ alongside Norman Beaton, Lesley Manville and Simon Callow. Three years later, he lent his voice to all 86 characters in the broadcast of Vikram Seth's novel, ‘A Suitable Boy’.

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Major Works

In 1977, Saeed Jaffrey garnered popularity in India when he appeared in ‘Shatranj Ke Khilari’ and later received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance.

In 1985, he earned much fame with his role of Kunj Bihari in the film ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’. Starring Mandakini and Rajiv Kapoor, the movie was the highest grossing Hindi movie of that year. Jaffrey’s performance received appreciation from the audience and also earned him a Filmfare Award nomination.

Family & Personal Life

From 1958 to 1964, Saeed Jaffrey was married to Madhur Jaffrey. The couple had three daughters: Meera, Zia and Sakina (an actress).

In 1980, the actor married freelance casting director Jennifer Sorrell. The two remained married until Jaffrey’s death in 2015.

On 15 November 2015, Jaffrey died at a London hospital from a brain haemorrhage.

Facts About Saeed Jaffrey

Saeed Jaffrey was known for his impeccable sense of humor and often entertained his colleagues and friends with his witty jokes and anecdotes.

Despite being a versatile actor, many people may not know that Saeed Jaffrey was also a talented cook and enjoyed experimenting with different cuisines in his kitchen.

Saeed Jaffrey was a great lover of music and was known to have a deep appreciation for various genres, often incorporating his love for music into his acting roles.

In addition to his acting career, Saeed Jaffrey was also a published author, having written several books sharing his experiences and insights from his decades-long career in the entertainment industry.

Saeed Jaffrey was a dedicated philanthropist and was actively involved in various charitable causes, using his fame and influence to make a positive impact on society.

Saeed Jaffrey Biography

You wanted to know

Is Saeed Jaffrey still alive?

What are some famous films of Saeed Jaffrey?

Did Saeed Jaffrey work in Hollywood?

Was Saeed Jaffrey a versatile actor?

Did Saeed Jaffrey receive any prestigious awards for his acting?