Ian Richardson

Ian Richardson
Richardson circa 1976
Born
Ian William Richardson

(1934-04-07)7 April 1934
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died9 February 2007(2007-02-09) (aged 72)
London, England
EducationRoyal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
OccupationActor
Years active1954–2007
Spouse
Maroussia Frank
(m. 1961)
Children2, including Miles Richardson

Ian William Richardson CBE (7 April 1934 – 9 February 2007) was a British actor from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was best known for his portrayal of machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards (1990–1995) television trilogy, as well as the pivotal spy Bill Haydon in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979). Other notable screen work included a portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in two films (The Sign of Four and The Hound of the Baskervilles), as well as significant roles in Brazil, M. Butterfly, and Dark City.

Richardson was also a leading stage actor, well known for his Shakespearean works as well as his portrayal of Jean-Paul Marat in the Broadway production of Marat/Sade.