Michael Darbyshire

Michael Darbyshire (15 October 1917 – 20 November 1979) was an English actor who worked across stage, television, and film. Born in England, he built a career that spanned West End productions, Broadway, British television, and feature films.

Darbyshire originated the role of Mr. Pickwick in the West End production of the musical Pickwick, which opened in London in 1963. Two years later, he reprised the role when the production transferred to Broadway in 1965, and he returned to the material once more for a BBC television adaptation in 1969.

On screen, Darbyshire appeared in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in which he played one of the eccentric inventors. He was also a cast member of the BBC children's comedy series Rentaghost, where he portrayed Hubert Davenport, a Victorian ghost. His television work extended to regular appearances on the BBC series The Good Old Days, which he made as a member of the Players Theatre Company, a London-based ensemble headquartered in Villiers Street.

Darbyshire died on 20 November 1979 at the age of 62 during the opening night of a production of Ray Cooney's farce Chase Me Comrade at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. He completed the first act of the performance but did not appear for the second act call, and was subsequently found dead in his dressing room.