Ken Hutchison, Acting - KorPlix:Korean Person Archives

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Ken Hutchison
Acting

Ken Hutchison
Known For
Acting
Birthday
1943-11-24,Leslie, Fife, Scotland, UK
Gender
Male
Biography
One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Play for Today: Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1974). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.

Filmography

7.1

Straw Dogs
1971-11-25

7

Ladyhawke
1985-03-27

The Wrath of God

5.3

The Wrath of God
1972-07-14

Deadly Strangers

5.7

Deadly Strangers
1975-04-01

Just Another Saturday

8

Just Another Saturday
1975-07-05

4.6

Blonde Fist
1991-11-01

The Long Distance Piano Player

0

The Long Distance Piano Player
1970-10-15

7.4

Red Shift
1978-01-17

Just a Boys' Game

8

Just a Boys' Game
1979-11-08

7.6

Gandhi
1982-12-01

One of the Boys

0

One of the Boys
1978-05-02

6.556

Sweeney 2
1978-03-30

0

As an Eilean
1993-10-14

All Quiet on the Western Front

6.6

All Quiet on the Western Front
1979-11-14

6

Milner
1994-12-19

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut

7

Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut
2003-03-08

The World Cup: A Captain's Tale

7

The World Cup: A Captain's Tale
1982-06-13

A Gift from Nessus

0

A Gift from Nessus
1980-02-28

7.7

The Sweeney
1975-01-02

6.7

Minder
1979-10-29

5.994

Casualty
1986-09-06

Wuthering Heights

5

Wuthering Heights
1978-09-24

5.9

Play for Today
1970-10-15

7.2

Masada
1981-04-05

7.1

Space: 1999
1975-09-04

5.636

The Protectors
1972-09-29

7.8

Hamish Macbeth
1995-03-26