John Cater

John Edward Cater (17 January 1932 – 21 March 2009) was an English actor born in Hendon, north London. His mother was a performer and violinist who worked with the music hall troupe The Pierinos, while his father and grandfather were florists in Hendon, part of a family line with roots in gardening at Ickworth Park in Suffolk. Cater began his formal training at the age of four when he enrolled in dance school. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where his classmates included Joe Orton, Joan Collins, Peter O'Toole, and Albert Finney.

Following his graduation from RADA, Cater made his professional debut with the Dundee Repertory Theatre, having been hired by the actor Herbert Wise. He spent several years performing in repertory theatre and summer stock across Aberdeen, Cork, Edinburgh, Guildford, and Nottingham. In 1961, he joined Peter Hall's newly formed Royal Shakespeare Company, making his RSC debut — and his West End debut — in The Duchess of Malfi at the Aldwych Theatre. It was during his time with the RSC that he met actor Wendy Gifford, whom he married in 1963. The couple had two daughters, Emma and Harriet. Emma Cater became an actress and married RSC and film and television actor Simon Thorp; their daughter Tilly Thorp is an actress and writer.

Cater brought his stage career to Broadway in 1974, appearing in London Assurance. His extensive television work in Britain included appearances in Danger Man, Z-Cars, The Avengers, The Baron, Doctor Who, Follyfoot, Softly Softly, Department S, Up Pompeii!, Dad's Army, The Naked Civil Servant, I Claudius, Alcock and Gander, The Duchess of Duke Street, Thriller, The Sweeney, Inspector Morse, Bergerac, One Foot in the Grave, Lovejoy, Jeeves and Wooster, Midsomer Murders, and Doctors. His film credits include The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Dr. Phibes Rises Again, and Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter.

In later life, Cater was diagnosed with haemochromatosis, which led to severe arthritis and significantly curtailed his acting career. He died of liver cancer on 21 March 2009, survived by his wife Wendy and his daughters Emma and Harriet.