Patrick Jordan

The son of a regimental sergeant major, Albert 'Patrick Jordan' (qv) grew up in London where he debuted on stage in a 1946 Old Vic production of "Richard II" at the New Theatre. The ensemble cast comprised actors 'Harry Andrews' (qv), 'Rosalind Atkinson' (qv) and 'Alec Guinness' (qv). The same group of players went on to perform in other Shakespearean plays, including "Coriolanus" and "The Taming of the Shrew". Jordan began on screen in a TV adaptation of _The Browning Version (1949)_ (qv), reprising his stage role from earlier that year. Most of his celluloid assignments in the 50s and 60s consisted of small or uncredited parts. His distinctively stern features and no-nonsense authoritarian bearing led to being invariably typecast as police officers or soldiers. A trademark scar on his right cheek added extra credence to his characters, more than a few of whom did not survive to the final reel. He appeared several times in _No Hiding Place (1959)_ (qv), _Dixon of Dock Green (1955)_ (qv) and _Crossroads (1964)_ (qv) and had featured roles in the war films _The Heroes of Telemark (1965)_ (qv), _Play Dirty (1969)_ (qv) and _Too Late the Hero (1970)_ (qv). Through his friend Alec Guiness, he managed to secure a role in _Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)_ (qv) as an Imperial Officer, aide to Grand Moff Tarkin (played by 'Peter Cushing' (qv) ). He unwisely opted to take a one-off fee for his part, rather than a tiny share of the royalties -- much to his later regret.Jordan retired in 1995 and died at the age of 96 in February 2020. His wife was Margery Gill (1925-2008), an acclaimed illustrator of children's books.::I.S.Mowis