Anthony Steel (actor)
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Anthony Maitland Steel (21 May 1920 – 21 March 2001) was an English actor and singer who appeared in British war films of the 1950s such as '' The Wooden Horse'' (1950) and '' Where No Vultures Fly'' (1951). He was also known for his tumultuous marriage to Anita Ekberg. He was described as "a glorious throwback to the Golden Age of Empire... the perfect imperial actor, born out of his time, blue-eyed, square-jawed, clean-cut." As another writer put it, "whenever a chunky dependable hero was required to portray grace under pressure in wartime or the concerns of a game warden in a remote corner of the empire, Steel was sure to be called upon." Another said "Never as popular as
Stewart Granger Stewart Granger (born James Lablache Stewart; 6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame thr ...
or as versatile as
Kenneth More Kenneth Gilbert More (20 September 1914 – 12 July 1982) was an English actor. Initially achieving fame in the comedy ''Genevieve (film), Genevieve'' (1953), he appeared in many roles as a carefree, happy-go-lucky gent. Films from this period ...
, he enjoyed a brief period of fashionability embodying the kind of idealised, true-blue Englishman who probably rowed for his university, played cricket on the village green and exuded calm under pressure as he bravely fought for king and country."


Early life and career

Anthony Steel was born in Chelsea, the son of an
Indian army The Indian Army (IA) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the Land warfare, land-based branch and largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head ...
officer, Edward (1897–1965), who later became an actor and Kathleen Yate Lee (d. 1962). Steel spent most of his early childhood in India (in
Lahore Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
) and was educated until he was 14 at Alexander House Prep School,
Broadstairs Broadstairs () is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet in the Thanet district of east Kent, England, about east of London. It is part of the civil parish of Broadstairs and St Peter's, which includes St Peter's, and had a population in 2011 ...
,
Kent Kent is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Essex across the Thames Estuary to the north, the Strait of Dover to the south-east, East Sussex to the south-west, Surrey to the west, and Gr ...
. He continued his studies at home with a tutor before attending
Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Trinity is one of the largest Cambridge colleges, with the largest financial endowment of any ...
.


War service

Steel had only completed a year at Cambridge when the
Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
broke out. He enlisted in the
Grenadier Guards The Grenadier Guards (GREN GDS) is the most senior infantry regiment of the British Army, being at the top of the Infantry Order of Precedence. It can trace its lineage back to 1656 when Lord Wentworth's Regiment was raised in Bruges to protect ...
aged 19 and was evacuated from Dunkirk in May 1940. He received a
commission In-Commission or commissioning may refer to: Business and contracting * Commission (remuneration), a form of payment to an agent for services rendered ** Commission (art), the purchase or the creation of a piece of art most often on behalf of anot ...
and served in the Middle East where he was badly injured on patrol. He trained as a parachutist and made nine operational jumps. He finished the war with the rank of major.


Acting

On demobilisation Steel decided to become an actor. For a time he worked with a pick and shovel at Clapham Junction for £6 a week. According to a profile in ''Filmink'' "Nature blessed him with height, handsomeness, a full head of hair and an excellent speaking voice; he didn't have much natural talent, but those first four things are often more important when it comes to finding acting work." He began to get some parts on stage, including appearing opposite
Margaret Lockwood Margaret Mary Day Lockwood, CBE (15 September 1916 – 15 July 1990), was a British actress. One of Britain's most popular film stars of the 1930s and 1940s, her film appearances included ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938), '' Night Train to Munich ...
in ''Roses for Her Pillow'', a stage version of the film '' Once Upon a Dream'' which was being given a special performance by Rank contract artists. He was dating a niece of J. Arthur Rank who introduced Steel to her uncle at a party. Rank subsequently signed the actor to a long-term contract with his company.


Early Rank years

Steel was trained at Rank's " charm school" and given a slow buildup with small parts in several films, starting with ''
Saraband for Dead Lovers ''Saraband for Dead Lovers'' (released in the United States as ''Saraband'') is a 1948 British adventure historical drama film directed by Basil Dearden and starring Stewart Granger and Joan Greenwood. It is based on the 1935 novel by Helen Si ...
'' (1948). He also appeared in '' A Piece of Cake'' (1948), '' Portrait from Life'' (1948), '' Once Upon a Dream'' (1949), '' Marry Me!'' (1949), ''
Quartet In music, a quartet (, , , , ) is an ensemble of four singers or instrumental performers. Classical String quartet In classical music, one of the most common combinations of four instruments in chamber music is the string quartet. String quar ...
'' (1948), '' The Blue Lamp'' (1949), '' Trottie True'' (1949), ''
Poet's Pub ''Poet's Pub'' is a 1949 British second feature ('B') comedy film directed by Frederick Wilson and starring Derek Bond, Rona Anderson and James Robertson Justice. It was written by Diana Morgan based on the 1929 novel of the same title ...
'' (1949), '' Don't Ever Leave Me'' (1949), '' Helter Skelter'' (1949), ''
Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus (; between 25 August and 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italians, Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed Voyages of Christopher Columbus, four Spanish-based voyages across the At ...
'' (1949), and '' The Chiltern Hundreds'' (1949). He also acted on stage in repertory at Aldershot and Worthington. He tested unsuccessfully for a part in
Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...
's ''
Treasure Island ''Treasure Island'' (originally titled ''The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys''Hammond, J. R. 1984. "Treasure Island." In ''A Robert Louis Stevenson Companion'', Palgrave Macmillan Literary Companions. London: Palgrave Macmillan. .) is an adventure a ...
'' (1950).


Stardom

Steel's roles up until then had been essentially bit parts. His first big break was being cast as one of three British POWs who escape from a camp in '' The Wooden Horse'' (1950). This film, based on a true story, was the third most popular film at the British box office in 1950 and established Steel as a leading man. Director Jack Lee said that the actor "was fine to work with, just a physical type, a young chap who could do certain things, though he didn't have much acting to do in this." He was paid £15 a week. " o star
Leo Genn Leopold John Genn ( ; 9 August 1905 – 26 January 1978) was an English actor and barrister. Distinguished by his relaxed charm and smooth, "black velvet" voice, he had a lengthy career in theatre, film, television and radio, often playing a ...
was getting thousands," Steel recalled. "It made me pretty mad." Steel was cast as the romantic male lead in ''
The Mudlark ''The Mudlark'' is a 1950 film made in United Kingdom, Britain by 20th Century Fox. It is a fictional account of how Queen Victoria was eventually brought out of her mourning for her dead husband, Albert, Prince Consort, Prince Albert. It was di ...
'' (1950), a Hollywood film starring
Irene Dunne Irene Dunne (born Irene Marie Dunn; December 20, 1898 – September 4, 1990) was an American actress who appeared in films during Classical Hollywood cinema, the Golden Age of Hollywood. She is best known for her comedic roles, though she perf ...
being shot in London. He had a small part in the comedy ''
Laughter in Paradise ''Laughter in Paradise'' is a 1951 British comedy film directed by Mario Zampi, starring Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, George Cole, and Guy Middleton. It was written by Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee. The film was remade as '' Some Will, S ...
'' (1951) then supported another Hollywood name,
Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympatheti ...
in the thriller, '' Another Man's Poison'' (1951). He did a play ''Turn to Page Two'' (1950). Steel's next big break was being cast as a game park warden inspired by Mervyn Cowie in '' Where No Vultures Fly'' (1951), shot mostly on location in Kenya. This was the most popular British movie of the year and the Royal Command Performance Film for 1951, confirming Steel's status as a genuine box office draw. In 1952 British exhibitors voted him the fourth most popular British star and he was seen as the successor to
Stewart Granger Stewart Granger (born James Lablache Stewart; 6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame thr ...
. One profile argued that:
Audiences appreciated his lack of "brood" and neurosis; he seemed fresh-faced and decent: the ideal uncomplicated boyfriend/junior lieutenant/game warden. In addition, at a time when many British leading men seemed "indoorsy" (i.e. wimps), Steel was a physically active type. He didn’t come across too sleazy on screen, either... he could seem romantically interested in women but not lecherous about it.
He co-starred with Jack Warner in a thriller directed by
Lewis Gilbert Lewis Gilbert (6 March 1920 – 23 February 2018) was an English film director, producer and screenwriter who directed more than 40 films during six decades; among them such varied titles as '' Reach for the Sky'' (1956), '' Sink the Bismarck! ...
, ''
Emergency Call An emergency telephone number is a number that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assistance. The emergency number differs from country to country; it is typically a three-digit number so that it can be easily remembered and ...
'' (1952). Rank tried Steel in a comedy, ''
Something Money Can't Buy ''Something Money Can't Buy'' is a 1952 British comedy drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Patricia Roc, Anthony Steel (actor), Anthony Steel and Moira Lister. It was written by Jackson and J.L. Hodson, and distributed by Rank's Gen ...
'' (1952), with Patricia Roc but the public response was not enthusiastic. They put him back in uniform in '' The Planter's Wife'' (1952), set during the
Malayan Emergency The Malayan Emergency, also known as the Anti–British National Liberation War, was a guerrilla warfare, guerrilla war fought in Federation of Malaya, Malaya between communist pro-independence fighters of the Malayan National Liberation Arm ...
. It was the sixth most popular film of 1952 in Britain, although Steel's part was a relatively minor one in support of Jack Hawkins and
Claudette Colbert Claudette Colbert (koʊlˈbɛər/ kohl-BAIR, born Émilie "Lily" Claudette Chauchoin (ʃoʃwɛ̃/ show-shwan); September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was an American actress. Colbert began her career in Broadway theater, Broadway productions dur ...
. He again supported two stars in a military story when he appeared in '' Malta Story'' (1953), with Hawkins and
Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. In the BFI, British Film Institute listing of 1999 of BFI Top 100 British films, the 100 most important British films of the 20th century ...
. It was the fourth most popular film of the year in Britain in 1953. Hollywood called, in the form of Warner Bros. who cast him in support of
Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian and American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Oliv ...
in the British-shot swashbuckler ''
The Master of Ballantrae ''The Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's Tale'' is an 1889 novel by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, focusing upon the conflict between two brothers, Scottish noblemen whose family is torn apart by the Jacobite rising of 1745. He wo ...
'' (1953); it was a minor success. Also moderately popular was '' Albert R.N.'' (1952), reuniting Steel with Jack Warner and Lewis Gilbert in another World War II POW film. He starred in a sequel to ''Where No Vultures Fly'', '' West of Zanzibar'' (1954). It was not as successful as the first movie although Steel had an unexpected hit record when he recorded a version of the title track. '' The Sea Shall Not Have Them'' (1954) was another war film from Gilbert, co-starring
Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as ''Doctor in the House (film), Doctor in the Hous ...
and
Michael Redgrave Sir Michael Scudamore Redgrave (20 March 1908 – 21 March 1985) was an English actor and filmmaker. Beginning his career in theatre, he first appeared in the West End in 1937. He made his film debut in Alfred Hitchcock's ''The Lady Vanishes'' ...
. '' Out of the Clouds'' (1955) was an ensemble movie set at London airport, not as well received as Steel's war movies. In 1954 Steel and
Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as ''Doctor in the House (film), Doctor in the Hous ...
were the highest paid actors with the
Rank Organisation The Rank Organisation (founded as the J. Arthur Rank Organisation) is a British entertainment conglomerate founded in 1937 by industrialist J. Arthur Rank. It quickly became the largest and most vertically integrated film company in the Uni ...
with a reported salary of £15,000 a film. Still, he was not happy with his roles. "In America, they build their male stars by starring them opposite exciting women," he said. "What do they give me? Elephants, crocodiles and giraffes." However, in '' Passage Home'' he was cast opposite Diane Cilento. "At last I can prove that I have blood in my veins and can make love to a woman," said Steel. "You know how the public identify themselves with the stars. Well, they think that an actor who gets the girl all the time – especially if she is very glamorous – must really have something." Michael Craig appeared in ''Passage Home'' and recalled Steel "treated everyone with casual arrogance" on the set. Cilento wrote in her memoirs:
Anthony was not an actor in any sense of the word. He was an ex-army hunk who used to roll his sleeves up to his armpits so that his bulging biceps would be even more prominent. He was cleft-chinned and had a loose lock of dark hair curling over his forehead. When he spoke, it was more clenched lower jaw than stiff upper lip and it made everything he said sound intimate and urgent.
Steel was given the starring part in ''
Storm Over the Nile ''Storm Over the Nile'' is a 1955 British adventure film adaptation of the 1902 novel '' The Four Feathers'', directed by Terence Young and Zoltan Korda. The film not only extensively used footage of the action scenes from the 1939 film ver ...
'' (1956), an almost shot-for-shot remake of '' The Four Feathers'' (1939) but a solid hit in Britain. '' The Black Tent'' (1956) was another war movie, set in Northern Africa during
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. '' Checkpoint'' (1956) was a change of pace, a racing-car thriller partly shot in Italy for director Ralph Thomas.


Anita Ekberg

In 1956 Steel married Swedish actress Anita Ekberg and together they moved to Hollywood, with mixed results. He broke his contract with the
Rank Organisation The Rank Organisation (founded as the J. Arthur Rank Organisation) is a British entertainment conglomerate founded in 1937 by industrialist J. Arthur Rank. It quickly became the largest and most vertically integrated film company in the Uni ...
– for whom he was meant to star in '' The Secret Place'' (1957) – in what has been described as "a disastrous over-estimation of his own ability." Steel received bad publicity for fighting with Ekberg and attacking paparazzi, and was arrested twice for drunk driving. During his time in Hollywood Steel appeared in one film, the little-seen '' Valerie'' (1957). It was announced he would be in a film to be made in Spain, ''Tetuan'', but this did not come to fruition. Steel returned to Britain briefly but was unable to regain his earlier popularity. He had the lead in a courtroom drama, '' A Question of Adultery'' (1958), and supported
Stewart Granger Stewart Granger (born James Lablache Stewart; 6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame thr ...
in a Hollywood-financed adventure tale shot partly in India, '' Harry Black'' (1958). Steel claimed he turned down parts so as to be near Ekberg. He appeared in a film directed by
Michael Powell Michael Latham Powell (30 September 1905 – 19 February 1990) was an English filmmaker, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. Through their production company Powell and Pressburger, The Archers, they together wrote, produced ...
in Spain, ''
Honeymoon A honeymoon is a vacation taken by newlyweds after their wedding to celebrate their marriage. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in destinations considered exotic or romantic. In a similar context, it may also refer to the phase in a couple ...
'' (1959), but it was one of Powell's least known works; the part had been written for
Paul Scofield David Paul Scofield (21 January 1922 – 19 March 2008) was an English actor. During a six-decade career, Scofield achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, winning an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award for his work. Scofield ...
but Powell ended up casting Steel whom he called "the archetypal British shit." John Davis, head of the
Rank Organisation The Rank Organisation (founded as the J. Arthur Rank Organisation) is a British entertainment conglomerate founded in 1937 by industrialist J. Arthur Rank. It quickly became the largest and most vertically integrated film company in the Uni ...
was known to be furious about Steel having left the company earlier after the support they had given him, and this was thought to have harmed his chances at reviving his career. Steel was also hurt by the fact that the sort of war films in which he had made his name were going out of fashion. After guest starring on an episode of ''Adventures in Paradise'' in Los Angeles, which was directed by
Robert Aldrich Robert Burgess Aldrich (August 9, 1918 – December 5, 1983) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. An iconoclastic and maverick '' auteur'' working in many genres during the Golden Age of Hollywood, he directed main ...
, he went to Sweden to make '' 48 Hours to Live'' (1959). In 1960 Steel went missing for a week from a luxury hotel in Germany, leading to a two-nation search. He later turned up in
Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
, claiming he had just gone there to discuss another film.


Italy

In February 1961 Steel announced his marriage to Ekberg was over and that he wanted to move back from Rome to England. However he wound up basing himself in Rome for most of the 1960s. In Italy he appeared – like many fading stars – in a
sword-and-sandal Sword-and-sandal, also known as peplum (: pepla), is a subgenre of largely Italy, Italian-made historical, mythological, or biblical epics mostly set in the Greco-Roman antiquity or the Middle Ages. These films attempted to emulate the big-budget ...
film, '' Revenge of the Barbarians'' (1960) – and a swashbuckler, '' Tiger of the Seven Seas'' (1962). In the latter a critic said he "seemed very under the weather". He was also in the comedy ''Vacanze alla baia d'argento'' (1961). He returned to the UK to appear in an episodes of ''Crane'' and ''Thirty Minute Theatre'', and star in some low budget films, like ''The Switch'' (1963) and '' A Matter of Choice'' (1963). In Germany he appeared in ''Winnetou: The Red Gentleman'' (1963; then ''The Queens'' (1966) in France, ''Hell Is Empty'' (1967) in Czechoslovakia, ''The Long Day of Inspector Blomfield'' (1968), and ''Anzio'' (1968). Anita Ekberg claimed Steel borrowed £40,000 from her in 1968 but never returned it. In 1969 he said it "was a big mistake to come" to Rome, adding "But I couldn't face it. You can't leave a country as a big star and go back. I had lost everything, even my shirt." He said he wanted to come back to Britain "before people forget me altogether... I am a British actor and I am a bloody good actor. I just hope people remember me... I still photograph well. I photograph like 40 but I happen to be 50. I have been away too long I don't guarantee they will accept me and I don't guarantee I will accept them... But I want to be judged on my ability. I am a good actor and I now have to convince the new producers." His roles grew smaller and less prestigious, such as appearing as ''Sir Stephen'' in the
Just Jaeckin Just Jaeckin (8 August 1940 – 6 September 2022) was a French film director, photographer and sculptor. He was known for directing several erotic films, starting with ''Emmanuelle'' in 1974 and continued making movies until he retired from fi ...
film adaptation of ''
Story of O ''Story of O'' (, ) is an erotic novel written by French author Anne Desclos under the pen name Pauline Réage, with the original French text published in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Pauvert. Desclos did not reveal herself as the author until 1994, ...
'' (1975).


Later career

He debuted on TV as Mr Burton in a 1974 episode of '' Thriller'', (I'm The Girl He Wants To Kill). In 1976 he appeared in '' Crossroads'' playing a conman over four weeks. He also guest starred on shows such as '' Bergerac'', ''
Robin of Sherwood ''Robin of Sherwood'' is a British television series, based on the legend of Robin Hood. Created by Richard Carpenter, it was produced by HTV in association with Goldcrest, and ran from 28 April 1984 to 28 June 1986 on the ITV network. In th ...
'' and in the hard-hitting police drama '' The Professionals,'' the episode titled ''"The Female Factor,"'' in which he played Sir Charles Milvern, a shadow minister who is snared in a honey trap. He made two soft core films with Fiona Richmond: '' Hardcore'' (1977) and '' Let's Get Laid'' (1977). One writer argued "In hindsight, Steel would have been most comfortable cast as a regular character on a long running series where he played a man of authority – a silver fox doctor, for instance, or a chief inspector on a detective show. It didn’t happen." He made stage tours in the 1980s and his last role was in ''Cinderella'', a pantomime at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre in 1989. He lived for a number of years in a tiny flat in
Northolt Northolt is a town in North West London, England, spread across both sides of the A40 trunk road. It is west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the seven major towns that make up the London Borough of Ealing and a smaller part in th ...
, west London. His then agent, David Daly, said that:
He was a very private man. He just decided that he would withdraw. He found a place to live and simply went into hiding. In some ways, it was not unlike him; if he decided that things weren't right, he would withdraw into himself and not contact anybody.
In 1995 Sir John Mills tried to rehouse him through the Actors Benevolent Fund but Steel refused. Steel told a journalist in 1997:
This is a very difficult time for me. You can see that by where I'm living. I know a lot of people are trying to find out where I am, but to be honest that's how I want it. I want to be left alone. I don't want to see any of my old friends from my old life. I've been quite ill lately and it's too much for me to go back to it all now. Of course I have regrets, but there is nothing anyone can do to change the past. I just want to get on with it.
Daly arranged for him to move into
Denville Hall Denville Hall is a historic building in Northwood, a town in the London Borough of Hillingdon, England, which is used as a retirement home for professional actors, actresses and members of other theatrical professions. The present building in ...
, a London retirement home for actors. Not long before he died he had a guest role in the television series ''The Broker's Man''.


Singer

In 1954, Steel teamed up with the British vocal ensemble The Radio Revellers to record "West of Zanzibar". Released on the
Polygon Records Polygon Records was a British independent record label which ran from 1950 to 1955. History The label was started in 1949 as the Polygon Record Company Ltd. by Alan A. Freeman and Leslie Clark, who was anxious to control distribution of his dau ...
label A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product. Labels are most often affixed to packaging and containers using an adhesive, or sewing when affix ...
, it peaked at No. 11 in the UK Singles Chart.


Personal life

Steel was married three times, firstly to Juanita Forbes from 1949 until 1954, secondly to Anita Ekberg from 1956 until 1959 and finally to Johanna Melcher from 1964 until his death. Steel also had an affair with actress Patricia Roc in 1952 while they were co-starring in ''
Something Money Can't Buy ''Something Money Can't Buy'' is a 1952 British comedy drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Patricia Roc, Anthony Steel (actor), Anthony Steel and Moira Lister. It was written by Jackson and J.L. Hodson, and distributed by Rank's Gen ...
'', resulting in a son. Both Steel and Roc were married at the time, he to Juanita Forbes and she to André Thomas but the latter was unable to have children, so Thomas agreed to bring up the child as his own. Steel, then 34, was engaged to his secretary, Anne Hanson, age 20, in 1954. They had a daughter together. His engagement and subsequent marriage to Ekberg was widely publicised at the time. Ekberg later claimed he hit her:
When he wasn't drunk he was charming and cultured, intelligent, a sense of humour. Too bad he got on that road. He would start arguments with anybody after one drink too much and then he would get violent.


Death

Anthony Steel died from
lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...
in Northwood,
Greater London Greater London is an administrative area in England, coterminous with the London region, containing most of the continuous urban area of London. It contains 33 local government districts: the 32 London boroughs, which form a Ceremonial count ...
in 2001, aged 80.


Selected filmography

* ''
Saraband for Dead Lovers ''Saraband for Dead Lovers'' (released in the United States as ''Saraband'') is a 1948 British adventure historical drama film directed by Basil Dearden and starring Stewart Granger and Joan Greenwood. It is based on the 1935 novel by Helen Si ...
'' (1948) - (uncredited) * '' A Piece of Cake'' (1948) - Plainclothes Policeman (uncredited) * '' Portrait from Life'' (1949) - Bridegroom * '' Once Upon a Dream'' (1949) * '' Marry Me!'' (1949) - Jack Harris * ''
Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus (; between 25 August and 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italians, Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed Voyages of Christopher Columbus, four Spanish-based voyages across the At ...
'' (1949) - Messenger (uncredited) * ''
Poet's Pub ''Poet's Pub'' is a 1949 British second feature ('B') comedy film directed by Frederick Wilson and starring Derek Bond, Rona Anderson and James Robertson Justice. It was written by Diana Morgan based on the 1929 novel of the same title ...
'' (1949) - Compton (uncredited) * '' Don't Ever Leave Me'' (1949) - Harris * '' Helter Skelter'' (1949) - (uncredited) * '' Trottie True'' (1949) - The Bellaires' footman * '' The Chiltern Hundreds'' (1949) - Adjutant * '' The Blue Lamp'' (1950) - Police Constable (uncredited) * '' The Wooden Horse'' (1950) - John * ''
The Mudlark ''The Mudlark'' is a 1950 film made in United Kingdom, Britain by 20th Century Fox. It is a fictional account of how Queen Victoria was eventually brought out of her mourning for her dead husband, Albert, Prince Consort, Prince Albert. It was di ...
'' (1950) - Lieutenant Charles McHatten * ''
Laughter in Paradise ''Laughter in Paradise'' is a 1951 British comedy film directed by Mario Zampi, starring Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, George Cole, and Guy Middleton. It was written by Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee. The film was remade as '' Some Will, S ...
'' (1951) - Roger Godfrey * '' Where No Vultures Fly'' (1951) - Bob Payton * '' Another Man's Poison'' (1951) - Larry Stevens * ''
Emergency Call An emergency telephone number is a number that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assistance. The emergency number differs from country to country; it is typically a three-digit number so that it can be easily remembered and ...
'' (1952) - Dr. Carter * ''
Something Money Can't Buy ''Something Money Can't Buy'' is a 1952 British comedy drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Patricia Roc, Anthony Steel (actor), Anthony Steel and Moira Lister. It was written by Jackson and J.L. Hodson, and distributed by Rank's Gen ...
'' (1952) - Captain Harry Wilding * '' The Planter's Wife'' (1952) - Hugh Dobson * '' Malta Story'' (1953) - Wing Cmdr Bartlett * ''
The Master of Ballantrae ''The Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's Tale'' is an 1889 novel by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, focusing upon the conflict between two brothers, Scottish noblemen whose family is torn apart by the Jacobite rising of 1745. He wo ...
'' (1953) - Henry Durie * '' Albert R.N.'' (1953) - Geoff * '' West of Zanzibar'' (1954) - Bob Payton * '' The Sea Shall Not Have Them'' (1954) - Flying Officer Treherne * '' Out of the Clouds'' (1955) - Gus Randall * '' Passage Home'' (1955) - First Mate Vosper * ''
Storm Over the Nile ''Storm Over the Nile'' is a 1955 British adventure film adaptation of the 1902 novel '' The Four Feathers'', directed by Terence Young and Zoltan Korda. The film not only extensively used footage of the action scenes from the 1939 film ver ...
'' (1955) - Harry Faversham * '' The Black Tent'' (1956) - Capt. David Holland * '' Checkpoint'' (1956) - Bill Fraser * '' Valerie'' (1957) - Reverend Blake * '' A Question of Adultery'' (1958) - Mark Loring * '' Harry Black'' (1958) - Desmond Tanner * '' Luna de Miel'' (1959) - Kit Kelly * '' Revenge of the Barbarians'' (1960) - Olympius, Consul of Rome * '' Tiger of the Seven Seas'' (1962) - William Scott * '' Crane'' (1963, TV Series, episode "My Deadly Friend") - Gil * '' The Switch'' (1963) - Bill Craddock * '' A Matter of Choice'' (1963) - John Crighton * ''
Last of the Renegades ''Last of the Renegades'' ( and also known as ''Winnetou: Last of the Renegades'') is a 1964 German-Italian Western film directed by Harald Reinl and starring Pierre Brice, Lex Barker, and Anthony Steel. It is based on a Karl May novel, and w ...
'' (1964) - Bud Forrester * '' Sex Quartet'' (1966) - The Professor (segment "Fata Marta") * '' Hell Is Empty'' (1967) - Major Morton * ''
The Long Day of Inspector Blomfield ''The Long Day of Inspector Blomfield'' is a 1968 Cinema of Germany, German crime film directed by Rudolf Zehetgruber and starring Götz George, Werner Pochath and Anthony Steel (actor), Anthony Steel. It was one of a number of movies Steel made i ...
'' (1968) - Arthur Baker * ''
Anzio Anzio (, also ; ) is a town and ''comune'' on region of Italy, about south of Rome. Well known for its seaside resorts, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola, and Ve ...
'' (1968) - Gen. Marsh * ' (1969) - Maurice Pouliard * ' (1969, TV film) - Sir Robert Gunningham * '' 11 Uhr 20'' (1970, TV miniseries) - Carlsson * ''
Massacre in Rome ''Massacre in Rome'' () is a 1973 Italian war drama film directed by George Pan Cosmatos about the Ardeatine massacre which occurred at the Ardeatine caves in Rome, 24 March 1944, committed by the Germans as a reprisal for a partisan attack aga ...
'' (1973) - Maj. Domizlaf * ''
Story of O ''Story of O'' (, ) is an erotic novel written by French author Anne Desclos under the pen name Pauline Réage, with the original French text published in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Pauvert. Desclos did not reveal herself as the author until 1994, ...
'' (1975) - Sir Stephen * '' Hardcore'' (1977) - Robert * '' Twilight of Love'' (1977) - Richard Butler * '' Let's Get Laid'' (1978) - Moncrieff Dovecraft * '' The Perfect Crime'' (1978) - Supt. Jeff Hawks * '' The World Is Full of Married Men'' (1979) - Conrad Lee * '' The Dick Francis Thriller: The Racing Game'' (1979, TV Series) - Count Guiccoli * '' Tales of the Unexpected'' (1980, TV Series, three eps) - 'Timber' / The Stranger / Galloping Foxley * '' The Mirror Crack'd'' (1981) - Sir Derek Ridgeley ('Murder at Midnight') * '' The Monster Club'' (1981) - Lintom Busotsky - Film Producer * ''
Artemis 81 ''Artemis 81'' is a British television play which was written by David Rudkin and directed by Alastair Reid. Commissioned by BBC producer David Rose, it was broadcast by the BBC on 29 December 1981. It was one of the last TV performances from ...
'' (1981, TV Movie) - Tristram Guise * '' Jemima Shore Investigates'' (1983, TV Series, one ep) - Henry Hastings * '' Andy Robson'' (1983, TV Series) - Herbert Neville * '' Bergerac'' (1983, TV Series, one ep) - Harker Le Fevre * '' The Glory Boys'' (1984, TV Series) - Director General * ''
Robin of Sherwood ''Robin of Sherwood'' is a British television series, based on the legend of Robin Hood. Created by Richard Carpenter, it was produced by HTV in association with Goldcrest, and ran from 28 April 1984 to 28 June 1986 on the ITV network. In th ...
'' (1984, TV Series) - Earl Godwin


Unmade films

*''Vendetta'' (1952) based on novel of the same name by
Marie Corelli Mary Mackay (1 May 185521 April 1924), also called Minnie Mackey and known by her pseudonym Marie Corelli (, also , ), was an English novelist. From the appearance of her first novel '' A Romance of Two Worlds'' in 1886, she became a bestselli ...
*''The Judas Kiss'' (1956) - with Anita Ekberg


Box office ranking

At the height of his career, British exhibitors voted Steel among the most popular local stars in the country. *1952 – 4th most popular British star *1953 – 10th most popular British star *1954 – 7th most popular British star *1956 – 6th most popular British star


Selected theatre credits

*''Roses for Her Pillow'' ee 'Acting' section above*''Turn to Page Two'' by Michael Clayton Hutton - Embassy Theatre, London 1950 *'' Dear Liar'' by
Jerome Kilty Jerome Timothy Kilty (June 24, 1922 in Baltimore, Maryland – September 6, 2012) was an American actor and playwright. He wrote ''Dear Liar: A Comedy of Letters.'' He worked extensively on the stage, both in the United States and abroad. Career K ...
- English Theatre, Vienna 1963-64 *'' Conduct Unbecoming'' by
Barry England Barry England (16 March 1932 – 21 May 2009) was an English novelist and playwright. He is chiefly known for his 1968 thriller '' Figures in a Landscape'', which was nominated for the inaugural Booker Prize. Life and work England was raise ...
- UK tour 1982 *''The Edge of Fear'' by
Brian Clemens Brian Horace Clemens (30 July 1931 – 10 January 2015) was an English screenwriter and television producer. He worked on the British TV series '' The Avengers'' and created '' The New Avengers'' and '' The Professionals''. Early life Clemen ...
- UK tour 1986'Theatre Week', ''The Stage'' 3 April 1986 p. 21. *''Cinderella'' - Birmingham, 1989


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Steel, Anthony 20th-century English male actors English male film actors English male television actors Grenadier Guards officers Male actors from London 1920 births 2001 deaths British Army personnel of World War II Paratroopers