Edward Burnham

Burnham was born in Stafford,^[1] England on Christmas Day 1916.^[2] He was educated at The Latymer School in London. After studying history for a year at the University of London, he trained at RADA and briefly at the Comédie-Française in Paris, then worked on stage in regional repertory theatre, at the Liverpool Playhouse and The Old Vic, and in London's West End.^[1][3] He was a conscientious objector during the Second World War.^[1]

Burnham is best known for the films To Sir, with Love (1967), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and 10 Rillington Place (1971), and for twice appearing in Doctor Who in The Invasion (1968) and Robot (1974/5).^[4][5] His other television roles include Z-Cars, The Saint, The Avengers, The Troubleshooters, Special Branch, Crown Court, Thriller, Rumpole of the Bailey, Crossroads, Tales of the Unexpected, The Gentle Touch, All Creatures Great and Small, The Bill, Swiss Toni and Black Books.^[6] His other films have included When Eight Bells Toll (1971), Young Winston (1972), The Hiding Place (1974), Coming Out of the Ice (1982), Little Dorrit (1987) and Diamond Skulls (1989).^[5]

As well as his acting career, Burnham also returned to RADA to teach. His students included Peter O’Toole, Sian Phillips, Albert Finney, Anne Reid and Alan Bates.^[1]

Burnham died aged 98, on 30 June 2015^[7] at his home in England.^[2]