Gordon Warnecke

Gordon Warnecke (born 24 August 1962 in London) is a British actor of mixed German and Indo‑Guyanese heritage who first captured public attention with his breakout performance as Omar, the lover of Daniel Day‑Lewis’s character Johnny, in the seminal 1985 film My Beautiful Laundrette. The film’s critical success not only marked a turning point for British cinema but also established Warnecke as a versatile talent capable of portraying complex, socially resonant characters. Following this debut, he appeared in Franco Zeffirelli’s Young Toscanini and in Hanif Kureishi’s gritty drama London Kills Me, further demonstrating his range across period pieces and contemporary urban narratives. In television, Warnecke built a robust résumé with guest roles on popular series such as Boon, the iconic Doctor Who serial “The Trial of a Time Lord”, Only Fools and Horses, Birds of a Feather, EastEnders, Holby City and The Bill, each appearance adding depth to his screen persona and exposing him to diverse audiences across the UK. Beyond screen work, Warnecke has long been a dedicated stage actor, collaborating with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court Theatre, and most recently touring nationally with Tara Arts in Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People and starring in contemporary Christmas adaptations at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. His artistic ambitions extend to filmmaking; he wrote and directed the short The Magician, slated for a 2012 release, showcasing his skill behind the camera. Since 2014, Warnecke has served as the actor‑in‑residence at East Barnet School in North London, where he designs workshops and masterclasses that nurture emerging talent, reflecting his commitment to education and community engagement. His career, spanning over three decades, illustrates a sustained dedication to both performance and mentorship, cementing his reputation as a respected figure in British acting circles.