Michael Praed ( ; born 1 April 1960), birth name Michael David Prince, is a British actor and narrator, best remembered for his role as Robin of Loxley in the British television series '' Robin of Sherwood'', which attained cult status worldwide.

Career

Praed was born in Berkeley,

Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ( , ; abbreviated Glos.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Herefordshire to the north-west, Worcestershire to the north, Warwickshire to the north-east, Oxfordshire ...

, and educated at

Eastbourne College Eastbourne College is a co-educational Private schools in the United Kingdom, fee-charging school in the English Public school (United Kingdom), public school tradition, for boarding school, boarding and Day school, day pupils aged 13–18, in ...

, after which he became an actor. He discovered that the British actors' union Equity already had a "Michael Prince" among its members, so he chose a surname out of a telephone book to use as a

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

. The name Praed is a Cornish word meaning "meadow".E-mail communication with Celeste Moore, webmaster o
Michael Praed's official website
michael-praed.com; 19 May 2007. Praed is remembered for his roles as Prince Michael of Moldavia on the American primetime soap ''

Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family, usually in the context of a monarchy, monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A dynasty may also be referred to as a "house", "family" or "clan", among others. H ...

'',

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary noble outlaw, heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature, theatre, and cinema. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions o ...

in the '' Robin of Sherwood'' (1984 TV series), and as

Phileas Fogg Phileas Fogg ( ) is the protagonist in the 1872 Jules Verne novel '' Around the World in Eighty Days''. Inspirations for the character were the American entrepreneur George Francis Train and American writer and adventurer William Perry Fogg ...

in '' The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne'' (2000). He is also known in the British Isles for his stage work in musicals and drama and lately for his narrations. He has been the regular narrator for BBC TV's history programme '' Timewatch'' since 2003. In July 2009, he starred as Captain von Trapp in a national tour of a revival of ''

The Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers''. ...

''. In 2016, Praed began to appear in the ITV soap opera ''

Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British television soap opera that is broadcast on ITV (TV network), ITV. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a List of fictional towns and villages, fict ...

'', as Frank Clayton, the father of the characters Vanessa Woodfield and Tracy Metcalfe. His character was killed off following an explosion in the sweet factory. His last appearance aired on ITV on 1 August 2019.

Personal life

Praed was previously married to Karen Landau (1994–2009), with whom he has two children. He is now married to Josefina Gabrielle.

Selected credits

Television

Stage

* Frederick in the

Joseph Papp Joseph Papp (born Joseph Papirofsky; June 22, 1921 – October 31, 1991) was an American theatrical producer and director. Papp is a pioneering figure in American theater, known for creating Shakespeare in the Park, which aimed to make classi ...

production of the musical ''

The Pirates of Penzance ''The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty'' is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, W. S. Gilbert. Its official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 3 ...

'', Theatre Royal Drury Lane - London (1982–83) * D'Artagnan in the revival of Rudolf Friml's ''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' () is a French historical adventure novel written and published in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is the first of the author's three d'Artagnan Romances. As with some of his other works, he wrote it in col ...

'', Broadway Theatre - New York City (1985) * Billy Bigelow in a revival of the

Rodgers and Hammerstein Rodgers and Hammerstein was a theater-writing team of composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their musical ...

musical ''

Carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (International English), or galloper (British English) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. The seats are tradit ...

'', Tivoli Theatre - Dublin (1991) * Alex in

Andrew Lloyd Webber Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber (born 22 March 1948) is an English composer and impresario of musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End theatre, West End and on Broadway theatre, Broad ...

's musical '' Aspects of Love'' at the Prince of Wales Theatre - London (1991–92) * Mick in

Harold Pinter Harold Pinter (; 10 October 1930 – 24 December 2008) was a British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor. A List of Nobel laureates in Literature, Nobel Prize winner, Pinter was one of the most influential modern British dramat ...

's '' The Caretaker'' at Nottingham Playhouse - Nottingham (1993) * Evan Davies in

Daphne du Maurier Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning, (; 13 May 1907 – 19 April 1989) was an English novelist, biographer and playwright. Her parents were actor-manager Gerald du Maurier, Sir Gerald du Maurier and his wife, actress Muriel Beaumont. Her gra ...

's ''September Tide'' with Susannah York at the Comedy Theatre - London (1994) * Otto in

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time (magazine), Time'' called "a sense of personal style, a combination of c ...

's '' Design for Living'' with

Rachel Weisz Rachel Hannah Weisz (; born 7 March 1970) is an English actress. Known for her roles in independent films and blockbusters, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Rachel Weisz, several awards, including an Academy Award, ...

at the Gielgud Theatre - London (1995) * Tony/Stephen in

Barry Manilow Barry Manilow ( ; born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer with a career that spans over sixty years. His hit recordings include "Could It Be Magic", "Looks Like We Made It", "Brandy (Scott ...

's ''Copacabana: The Musical'', first tour of Britain (1996–97) * Jack Locke in ''Dangerous to Know'', tour of Britain (1998) * Michael Wiley in

Susan Stroman Susan P. Stroman (born October 17, 1954) is an American theatre director, choreographer, and performer. Her notable theater productions include ''Oklahoma!'', ''The Music Man'', ''Crazy for You (musical), Crazy for You'', ''Contact (musical), Co ...

's musical '' Contact'' with Leigh Zimmerman at the Queen's Theatre - London (2002–03) * Bernard Kersal in Somerset Maugham's ''

The Constant Wife ''The Constant Wife'', a play written in 1926 by W. Somerset Maugham, is a comedy whose modern and amusing take on marriage and infidelity gives a quick-witted, alternative view on how to deal with an extramarital affair. A "sparkling comedy o ...

'', tour of Britain (2003). * Theodore Hoffman in Carl Djerassi's ''Three on a Couch'' with Leigh Zimmerman at The King's Head Theatre - London (2004) * F Scott Fitzgerald in the musical '' Beautiful and Damned'' at the Lyric Theatre - London (2004) * Paul Sheldon in '' Misery'' with Susan Penhaligon at The King's Head Theatre - London (2006) * Tom Madison in Brian Stewart's ''Killing Castro'', tour of Britain (2006) * Neil in Derek Lister's ''Blue on Blue'', Haymarket Theatre - Basingstoke (2006) * Milo Tindle in Anthony Shaffer's '' Sleuth'' with Simon MacCorkindale, tour of Britain (2008) * Sir Robert Chiltern in

Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential playwright ...

's '' An Ideal Husband'' with Kate O'Mara, Carol Royle, Robert Duncan,

Fenella Fielding Fenella Fielding (born Fenella Marion Feldman; 17 November 1927 – 11 September 2018) was an English stage, film and television actress who rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, and was often referred to as "England's first lady of t ...

, and Tony Britton, tour of Britain (2008) * Randall Kelly in James Farewell's ''The Murder Game'' with Josefina Gabrielle at The King's Head Theatre - London (2009) * Captain Von Trapp in ''

'' with Connie Fisher and Margaret Preece - UK National Tour (2009–2011) * Dexter Haven in ''High Society'' with Sophie Bould and

Daniel Boys Daniel Boys (born 26 March 1979) is an English actor. He starred in the West End productions of the musicals ''Rent'' and ''Grease'' before being a 2007 contestant on the BBC talent series '' Any Dream Will Do''. Boys went on to star in many ...

- UK National Tour and Ireland (January - August 2013) * John Greenwood in ''The White Carnation'' with Benjamin Whitrow, Robert Benfield and Tony Dale - Jermyn Street Theatre, London (February 2014) * Charles Stanton in J.B. Priestley's ''Dangerous Corner'' with Colin Buchanan, Kim Thomson, Matt Milne, Lauren Drummond, and Finty Williams, tour of Britain (September - November 2014) * Lawrence in David Yazbek's ''Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'' with Noel Sullivan, Carley Stenson, Mark Benton, and Gary Wilmot, UK National Tour (May 2015-March 2016) * George Herbert in ''The War of the Worlds'' musical with Madalena Alberto, Heidi Range, David Essex,

Jimmy Nail James Michael Aloysius Bradford (born 16 March 1954), known as Jimmy Nail, is an English singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, and television writer. He played the role of Leonard "Oz" Osborne in the television show ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' ( ...

and Daniel Bedingfield at the Dominion Theatre (2016). * Pat Denning in '' 42nd Street'' with

Ruthie Henshall Valentine Ruth Henshall (born 7 March 1967), known professionally as Ruthie Henshall, is an English actress, singer and dancer, known for her work in musical theatre. She began her professional stage career in 1986, before making her West End d ...

Adam Garcia Adam Garcia is an Australian actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as '' Saturday Night Fever'' and '' Kiss Me, Kate''. He is also a trained tap dancer and singer. Garcia has been nominated twice at the Laurence Olivier Award ...

, Josefina Gabrielle and

Les Dennis Leslie Dennis Heseltine (born 12 October 1953) is an English television presenter, actor and comedian. He presented '' Family Fortunes'' from 1987 to 2002. Early life Dennis was born as Leslie Dennis Heseltine on 12 October 1953 in the Liv ...

, UK tour (May 2023–January 2024)

Film

* Royd Erris in an adaptation of

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948) also known by the initials G.R.R.M. is an American author, television writer, and television producer. He is best known as the author of the unfinished series of Hi ...

's '' Nightflyers'' (1987) * Max Schrek in the vampire flick ''Son of Darkness: To Die For 2'' (1991) * Andrew in ''Writer's Block'' with Morgan Fairchild (1991) * Gary in '' Staggered'' with Martin Clunes (1994) * The Hitman in '' Darkness Falls'' with

Ray Winstone Raymond Andrew Winstone (; born 19 February 1957) is an English television, stage, and film actor with a career spanning five decades. Having worked with many prominent directors, including Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, Winstone is known ...

(1999) * The Queen in ''Nine Dead Gay Guys'' (2002) * Himself in the documentary '' The King's Head: A Maverick in London'' (2006)

Audio

* Narrated ''Venus in Furs'' by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch for Erotic Classics (1989, reissued 1994) * Professor Slyde in the Big Finish audio drama ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series, created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson (writer and producer), Donald Wilson, depicts the adventures of an extraterre ...

'': '' The Dark Flame'' (2003) * Regular narrator of

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

TV's '' Timewatch'' documentary series (2003–09) * Narrated Caroline Lawrence's '' The Roman Mysteries'' audio books (2004–05) * Narrated Stephen Clarke's ''A Year in the Merde'' (2005) * Narrated Paul Stewart's ''Beyond the Deepwoods'' (2005) * Narrator of

TV's '' The Wild West'' documentary mini-series (2007) * Soris in the B7 Media/SciFi Channel UK podcast of the ''

Blake's 7 ''Blake's 7'' is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. Four series of thirteen 50-minute episodes were broadcast on BBC1 between 1978 and 1981. It was created by Terry Nation, who also wrote the first series, prod ...

'' adventure ''Rebel'' (2007) * Co-narrator on the Oneword radio series ''Mills & Boon at the Weekend'' (2006–2008) * Ladiver in the Big Finish audio drama adaptation of the 1960s ''Doctor Who'' stage play, '' The Curse of the Daleks'' (2008) * Narrated "

Sanctuary A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred space, sacred place, such as a shrine, protected by ecclesiastical immunity. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This seconda ...

" by Paul Birch, one of a series of new '' Robin of Sherwood'' enhanced audiobooks (2017)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Praed, Michael 1960 births British male musical theatre actors British male television actors Living people Male actors from Gloucestershire People educated at Eastbourne College People from Berkeley, Gloucestershire Actors from Stroud District