RIP Christian Roberts

 

Television Heaven

December 28, 2022

British actor Christian Roberts, who made his television debut in a 1966 episode of the anthology series 'Theatre 625' before winning a role in the movie 'To Sir, with Love' passed away on 26 December 2022, aged 78 years.

Roberts was born on 17 March 1944 in Southmoor, Berkshire and was educated as Cranleigh School, Surrey from 1953 to 1962. He was accepted into RADA in 1964 and fresh out of drama school he was cast as the rebellious Denham in 'To Sir, with Love' alongside Sidney Poitier, Suzy, Kendall, Judy Geeson and Lulu. The story was based on the autobiographical novel by Guyana-born E. R. Braithwaite and was loosely based on his own teaching experiences in a working-class London neighbourhood. “I did a reading for director James Clavell and it turned out to be a wonderful experience acting with Sidney, Lulu and Judy,” Roberts told interviewer Nick Thomas. “I had a boxing scene with Sidney and it was great landing a few punches on this distinguished Hollywood actor,” he laughed. “I had done some boxing at school so felt I knew what I was doing. Sidney was very good with all the young actors and we admired him immensely.”

Although the movie's release in the USA was delayed, mainly because the distributors were concerned that Americans wouldn't understand the actors Cockney accents it eventually grossed over $40m.

Following the release of the movie, Roberts split his time between television, film and the theatre. On TV he appeared in 'The Avengers' (1968), 'UFO' (1971, 'The Persuaders!' (1971), 'Clochmerle' (1972), 'Blake's 7' (1978) and 'Secret Army' (1978). Between 1972 and 1980 he acted in theatre seasons at the Redgrave Theatre, Surrey; The Salisbury Playhouse, Theatre Royal, York; and the Watford Palace Theatre. On the big screen he appeared in the Bette Davis film 'The Anniversary.'

In 1980, Roberts gave up acting to join the board of his family business, Job's Dairy, but stayed in touch with the profession as director of the Theatre Royal, Windsor. In 1988 he returned to acting and produced and starred in "Return to the Forbidden Planet" and "From a Jack to a King", both in London's West End. Following one last screen appearance in a 1992 episode of 'The Bill' his attention returned to business and in 1995 he went to live in Barbados in the Caribbean, where he ran the famous Lone Star Restaurant and Hotel on the island's fashionable West Coast.

Roberts published his autobiography “Thank God I'm not Famous: The Life of Christian Charles Roberts.”

ROBERTS, Christian (Christian Charles Roberts)

Born: 3/17/1944, Southmoor, Oxfordshire, England, U.K.

Died: 12/26/2022, U.K.

 

Christian Roberts’ western – actor:

The Desperados! – 1969 (Adam Galt)