Actor Nigel Davenport dies at 85

Veteran actor Nigel Davenport has died at the age of 85.

A commanding on-screen presence, he starred in more than 40 feature films and many TV series over a 40 year career.

He was also father to Jack Davenport, star of 'This Life' and the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series.

In fact, Jerry Bruckheimer is said to have cast Jack in the part of James Norrington in the 'Pirates' movies in part in tribute to his father's role in the swashbuckling 'A High Wind In Jamaica'.

Davenport starred in films including 'A Man For All Seasons', 'Look Back In Anger', 'The Island of Doctor Moreau' and  'Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan', and played opposite the likes of Sir Laurence Olivier.

He read the lines on set for Hal 9000 in Kubrick's '2001', though the role was eventually dubbed by Canadian actor Douglas Rain.

He also appeared in TV series including 'The Saint', 'David Copperfield', 'Howards' Way', 'Midsomer Murders' and 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'.

But he is perhaps best known for his role in the Oscar-winning 'Chariots of Fire', in which he played Olympic Committee member Lord Birkenhead.

You can watch the trailer for the film below...