Rupert Davies

Rupert Lisburn Gwynne Davies FRSA (22 May 1916 – 22 November 1976) was a British actor born in Liverpool, England, who worked across stage, film, and television. He is best remembered for portraying the title role in the BBC's 1960s television adaptation of Maigret, drawn from Georges Simenon's novels.

Before his acting career took hold, Davies served in the British Merchant Navy and subsequently held the rank of Sub-Lieutenant Observer with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. In 1940, the Swordfish aircraft in which he was flying ditched into the sea off the Dutch coast, leading to his capture and internment at Stalag Luft III. He made three unsuccessful escape attempts during his imprisonment. It was during this period of captivity that Davies first engaged seriously with performance, taking part in theatrical productions staged for fellow prisoners.

Following his release, Davies moved quickly back into professional acting, appearing in Back Home, a show for ex-prisoners of war staged at the Stoll Theatre in London. His stage work extended to Broadway, where he appeared in 1956 in a production of Troilus and Cressida. In 1959, he played the Colonel in Alun Owen's The Rough and Ready Lot, which received its stage debut on 1 June 1959 in a 59 Theatre Company production at the Lyric Opera House, Hammersmith; Davies also appeared in the television adaptation broadcast that September.

Davies became a prominent figure in British television, with appearances in series and plays including Quatermass II, Ivanhoe, Emergency – Ward 10, Danger Man, Man in a Suitcase, The Champions, Doctor at Large, Arthur of the Britons, and War and Peace. He also supplied the voice of Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine in Gerry Anderson's Joe 90. In October 1962, he was the subject of This Is Your Life, hosted by Eamonn Andrews in central London. A pipe smoker in his personal life, as was his most famous character Jules Maigret, Davies released a 45 rpm single titled "Smoking My Pipe" in late 1963 to capitalize on the Maigret opening sequence, and in 1964 he became the first recipient of the Pipe Smoker of the Year award.

His film work included a supporting appearance as George Smiley in The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965), as well as roles in the horror films Witchfinder General and Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, both released in 1968. He appeared in the international productions Waterloo (1970) and Zeppelin (1971) as well. Davies died of cancer in London on 22 November 1976, survived by his wife, Jessica, and two sons, Timothy and Hoagan. He is buried at Pistyll Cemetery, near Nefyn, Gwynedd, Wales.