Of all the odd “shooting comet” stars of the British film industry, Tony Wright is perhaps the oddest. Limited training. Limited ability. Even his blonde hair was unusual. Yet, for a short time there, he had the lead in a franchise, the backing of Britain’s biggest studio and the love of the most talented young actress in the country. Then it went away.
Biography
Wright's father was an actor, Hugh E. Wright, but originally Wright wanted to be a farmer. He served for two years in the Navy and then moved to South Africa where he tried chicken farming and gold mining before going into theatre. Wright appeared in a TV version of Noël Coward's ''This Happy Breed'' (1952). He was a boxer in '' The Flanagan Boy'' (1953) for Hammer. He went to Germany with a stage show then on the way back went through France where his ability speaking fluent French helped him be cast as Slim Callaghan in '' Your Turn, Callaghan'' (1955) after the original star cast, Charles Chaplin Jnr, pulled out. Wright made a sequel, '' More Whisky for Callaghan''. He guest starred on shows like '' Paris Precinct'', ''Colonel March of Scotland Yard'' and ''Sherlock Holmes''.Rank Organisation
For Rank, Wright supported Frankie Howerd in '' Jumping for Joy'' (1956). This led to a long-term contract with Rank started with twoLater Career
In May 1958 it was reported he was terminating his seven-year contract with Rank because he "wasn't getting enough work". His wife Janet Munro later wrote about Wright:He was insecure because of his acting. He wasn’t a very good actor, but he did have a magnificent physique and exciting looks. Like all Mr. Beefcakes, his time in the movies was coming to its end. He had passed his heyday. Looks fade so quickly and I could tell he wasn't as handsome now as he was in his earlier movie. Nor was his body as supple... There was little talent to back up Tony’s looks, and I felt deep compassion for him.In June 1958 Wright was taken to hospital after having taken an overdose of sleeping tablets. He returned to hospital a few days later, also ill, but again recovered.. Wright had a support part in '' Broth of a Boy'' (1959), '' The Rough and the Smooth'', '' And the Same to You'', '' Attempt to Kill'' and '' Faces in the Dark''. He was in ''The Amazing Mr Callaghan'' in France in 1960. In 1959 he appeared on stage in ''The Woman on the Star''. He made ''Journey into Nowhere'' in South Africa in 1962 and guest starred for several episodes on the serial ''Compact''. In 1965 he appeared in '' The Saint'' (S4,E3:episode entitled "The Crooked Ring") as champion boxer Steve Nelson, due to fight a cheating character 'The Angel'. Unfortunately Steve breaks his arm and Simon Templar steps into the ring in his place. It is a knock out win to The Saint. In S6, E14, "Where The Money Is", he played Largo, a heavy. Editor Chris Kelly later said Wright "didn't really amount to much to be totally honest. Tony had a very sad demise that's for sure. Alcohol based of course."
Personal life and death
Wright was officially divorced from Janet Munro in 1960. The same year he announced his engagement to Shirley Clark, daughter of writer Lesley Storm. They married in September. In January 1962 Clark gave birth to their daughter, while Wright was filming in South Africa. Wright died on 7 June 1986 after a fall at his London home.Selected filmography
* '' The Flanagan Boy'' (1953) - Johnny Flanagan *'' Your Turn, Callaghan'' (1955) - Slim Callaghan * '' More Whiskey for Callaghan'' (1955) - Slim Callaghan * '' Jumping for Joy'' (1956) - Vincent * '' Jacqueline'' (1956) - Jack McBride * '' Tiger in the Smoke'' (1956) - Jack Havoc * '' Et par ici la sortie '' (1957) - Slim Maden / Carlos * '' Seven Thunders'' (1957) - Jim * '' The Spaniard's Curse'' (1958) - Charlie Manton *'' Flowers for the Queen'' (1958) (TV play) * '' Broth of a Boy'' (1959) - Tony Randall * '' In the Wake of a Stranger'' (1959) - Tom Cassidy * '' The Rough and the Smooth'' (1959) - Jack * '' And the Same to You'' (1960) - Percy 'Perce' Gibbons * '' The House in Marsh Road'' (1960) - David Linton * '' Faces in the Dark'' (1960) - Clem * '' Attempt to Kill'' (1961) - Gerry Hamilton * '' Callaghan remet ça'' (1961) - Slim Callaghan * '' Journey Into Nowhere'' (1962) - Ricky * '' The Liquidator'' (1965) - Flying Control * '' The Man Who Haunted Himself'' (1970) - Man in Club (uncredited) * '' The Magnificent Six and 1/2'' (1971) * '' Clinic Exclusive'' (1971) - Police Inspector * '' All Coppers Are...'' (1972) - Police Inspector * '' The Creeping Flesh'' (1973) - Sailor * '' The Hostages'' (1975) * ''Can I Come Too?'' (1979) - George SkinnerTheatre
*''The Woman on the Stair'' (1959) *''Make Me a Widow'' (1964) *''The Sacred Flame'' (1966)References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Tony 1925 births 1986 deaths English male film actors 20th-century English male actors