Simon Oates

Simon Oates, born Arthur Charles Simon Oates on 6 January 1932 in Canning Town, east London, was an English actor whose career spanned theatre, television, and film. He died on 20 May 2009 following a protracted illness.

Oates grew up in Canning Town before relocating to Finchley in his teens. Prior to pursuing acting, he trained as a heating engineer at his father's firm and completed his national service with the British Army's Intelligence Corps. He began his professional acting career in theatrical repertory during the 1950s and spent several years as leading man at York Theatre Royal.

His television work brought him his widest recognition. He played Dr. John Ridge in the science fiction series Doomwatch, alongside John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist and Robert Powell as Toby Wren, and later appeared in the 1972 film adaptation of the same property. In the 1960s espionage series The Mask of Janus and its spin-off The Spies, he appeared regularly as Anthony Kelly. His guest credits across British television included The Avengers, Man in a Suitcase, Jason King, The New Avengers, The Professionals, Bergerac, and The 10 Percenters. In 1968 he appeared in the Department S episode The Trojan Tanker. His film work included Night Train to Paris in 1964 and the British science fiction film The Terrornauts in 1967.

On stage, Oates appeared on Broadway in 1968 in Rockefeller and the Red Indians. He also performed in a 1971 stage adaptation of The Avengers in the role of John Steed, opposite Sue Lloyd and Kate O'Mara, and appeared in the West End production of the Francis Durbridge thriller Suddenly at Home. His directing credits included Woman in a Dressing Gown, starring Brenda Bruce, at the Vaudeville Theatre, as well as numerous musicals and straight plays on the touring circuit. He founded a touring theatre company in Canada, where he lived for a period, and worked as both actor and director in international theatre productions.

Alongside his acting career, Oates performed as a stand-up comic and compere, working with Tom Jones, Sandie Shaw, and the Who, and appeared at the London Palladium with Dorothy Squires. His son, Justin Brett, also an actor, stated that Oates was offered the role of James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever before Sean Connery returned to the part. Additional sources indicate Oates was also considered for the role of 007 prior to Roger Moore being confirmed for Live and Let Die.