Gary Olsen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Gary Olsen (3 November 1957–12 September 2000) was an English actor. Olsen was born in London and lived with an aunt and uncle, after losing both his parents at an early age. He attended the Archbishop Tenison's Church of England School in Kennington. After school he joined various junior stage groups and toured with fringe theatrical companies, such as Incubus, and Lumiere and Son, until late 1976. At this point he immersed himself in the punk rock scene until returning to theatre in 1978. Later he helped develop the musical production Up on the Roof, in which he starred in 1987 at London's Donmar and Apollo theatres. He made his screen debut in 1979 as Rory Storm in The Birth Of The Beatles, and appeared in numerous British films and television programmes, including playing PC Dave Litten in the first series of The Bill, but achieved fame only with the role of Ben in the sitcom 2point4 Children (1991–1999). He played a starring film role as Arthur Hoyle alongside Samantha Janus and Neil Morrissey in the rugby league comedy, Up 'n' Under. He appeared in many TV adverts, notably the 1996 National Westminster Bank advertising campaign. In addition to his screen appearances he made numerous stage appearances including Rocky Horror Picture Show and What the Butler Saw. He also played 'Pope Liberty III' in the Australian production of the controversial musical Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom. Olsen also displayed his comic talents as Steve in The Comic Strip Presents' send up of The Fly, called The Yob. He also starred with Brian Bovell in the 1986 TV series Prospects about two likely lads in the Docklands trying to get ahead but usually failing. After a ten month fight with cancer, Olsen died in Victoria, where he had emigrated following his diagnosis. He left a widow, Australian second wife Jane, and their two children, a son and a daughter. He was 42 years old. Description above from the Wikipedia article Gary Olsen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Credits
- 2000 · 24 Hours in London as Christian
- 1999 · The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Adventures in the Secret Service as Boris
- 1998 · Alice Through the Looking Glass as Tweedle-Dum
- 1998 · Up 'n' Under as Arthur Hoyle
- 1997 · Pilgrim's Rest as Bob Payne
- 1994 · Pauline Calf's Wedding Video as Tony
- 1993 · Health and Efficiency as Dr. Michael Jimson
- 1993 · Paul Calf's Video Diary as Tony
- 1991 · 2Point4 Children as Ben Porter
- 1990 · Come Home Charlie and Face Them as Porson
- 1989 · The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover as Spangler
- 1989 · Bosses From Hell as
- 1988 · The Yob as Steve
- 1987 · Metamorphosis as Chief Clerk
- 1986 · Casualty as Gary Tate
- 1986 · Prospects as
- 1985 · Turtle Diary as Lorry Driver
- 1985 · Transmutations as Red Dog
- 1985 · EastEnders as Albert Beale
- 1984 · Winter Flight as Dave
- 1984 · The Bill as Dave Litten
- 1984 · Loose Connections as Kevin
- 1983 · Woodentop as PC Litten
- 1983 · Walter and June as Shower Room Attendant
- 1983 · Party Party as Terry
- 1982 · The Comic Strip Presents... as Steve
- 1982 · Pink Floyd: The Wall as Roadie
- 1981 · The Day of the Triffids as Red-Haired Man
- 1981 · The Day of the Triffids as Torrence
- 1981 · Outland as Worker #1
- 1981 · Bavarian Night as Youth
- 1980 · Breaking Glass as Guy at Bar
- 1980 · Bloody Kids as Ken's Gang 4
- 1979 · Birth of The Beatles as Rory Storm
- 1979 · Minder as Derek
- 1978 · An Audience with... as Self
- 1972 · Van der Valk as Brouwer
- 1970 · Play for Today as Youth
- 1964 · Top of the Pops as Self - Host