Alan Bates

format_quote I consider Peter Finch and James Mason the two best English actors of the 1960s. But I never understood Finch. How could he do something as beautiful as "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," but also make all that other shit? I mean he could read, couldn't he? edit

stars  Won two Tony Awards for his only two nominations: in 1973, as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Butley," a performance he recreated in the film version of the same name, Butley (1974) , and in 2002, as Best Actor (Play) for "Fortune's Fool." edit

stars  Worked for the Padded Wagon Moving Co. in the early 60s while acting at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York City. edit

stars  Handpicked by director John Schlesinger to star in the film Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) in the role of Dr. Daniel Hirsh. Even though he wanted the part very much, Bates was held up filming The Go-Between (1970) for director Joseph Losey and also became a father around that time, so he had to pass on the project, with regrets. The part then went first to Ian Bannen who balked and was fired and then to Peter Finch, who earned an Academy Award nomination. edit

stars  A closeted bisexual, Bates' clandestine male relationships included those of actor Peter Wyngarde, whom he lived with for ten years; stage actor Nickolas Grace, whom he met while performing "The Taming of the Shrew" with the Royal Shakespeare Company; British figure skater John Curry; and, his longest relationship, artist Gerard Hastings. edit

stars  His companion and lover towards the end of his life was his lifelong friend, actress Joanna Pettet, his co-star in 1964's Broadway play "Poor Richard". They split their time both in New York and London. edit