Clive Merrison

Clive Merrison, born on September 15, 1945, is a Welsh actor with a distinguished career spanning film, television, stage, and radio. Raised in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Merrison honed his acting skills at Rose Bruford College. His acting talents have found the spotlight in numerous settings, but he is probably best known for his extensive portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on BBC Radio. From 1989 to 1998, and again from 2002 to 2010, he breathed life into Doyle's legendary character in dramatisations, thus making him the first actor to play Holmes in every short story and novel written by the author. Apart from his memorable portrayal of the famous detective, Merrison also graced the television screens in diverse roles, featuring in multiple series like 'Reilly: Ace of Spies', 'Doctor Who', 'The Labours of Erica', 'Bergerac', 'Mortimer's Law', among others. His filmography, too, boasts of remarkable characters like the onscreen father of Kate Winslet in the 1994 film 'Heavenly Creatures', the traditionalist headmaster in Alan Bennett's 'The History Boys', the forger in the 1981 film 'Escape to Victory', and numerous others. Not just limiting his area of work to television and films, Merrison's artistry also illuminated the theater. He performed on the London and Rome stages, playing Antonin Artaud in Charles Marowitz's play 'Artaud at Rodez' and portrayed the headmaster in the original National Theatre and Broadway productions of Alan Bennett's hit play 'The History Boys'. Merrison's diverse career highlights his adaptability and impressive range as a performer.