Anthony Nicholls

Anthony Nicholls (16 October 1902 – 22 February 1977) was an English actor born in Windsor, Berkshire, the son of Florence (née Holderness) and photojournalist Horace Nicholls. His stage career brought him into the company of prominent theatrical figures including the Redgrave family, Laurence Olivier, and Peter O'Toole, with whom he worked on Shakespearean productions.

Nicholls made his Broadway debut in 1954 and continued performing on the New York stage through 1961, appearing in productions that included Ross and A Midsummer Night's Dream. His American screen presence had been established earlier, when he appeared alongside Ronald Reagan, Richard Todd, and Patricia Neal in the 1949 film The Hasty Heart. That same year he made his television debut, going on to maintain a steady presence in the medium throughout his career. His television work included the series The Champions, in which he portrayed W. Lawrence Tremayne, the overseer of three top secret agents.

Nicholls also worked in radio, playing R. Austin Freeman's character Doctor Thorndyke in the BBC Radio production Mr. Pottermack's Oversight in 1963, an episode that was preserved. His stage work extended to the National Theatre, where he appeared in a 1964 production of Hay Fever in the role of David Bliss. Among his film credits was A Man for All Seasons (1966).

On 29 September 1947, Nicholls married actress Faith Kent. The couple had two daughters, Kate Nicholls, born in 1954, and actress Phoebe Nicholls, born in 1957. Phoebe Nicholls and director Charles Sturridge are the parents of actors Tom Sturridge and Matilda Sturridge. Anthony Nicholls died on 22 February 1977 at the age of 74 and was cremated at Hereford crematorium.