Richard Franklin (actor)

Richard Franklin
Franklin in 2009
Born
Richard Kimber Franklin

(1936-01-15)15 January 1936
Marylebone, London, England
Died25 December 2023(2023-12-25) (aged 87)[1]
Islington, London, England
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • director
  • political activist
Years active1966–2021
Known forCaptain Mike Yates in Doctor Who
Political partyLiberal Democrats (before 1996)
Referendum Party (1996–1997)
UKIP (1997–2005)
Silent Majority (2005–2015)
30-50 coalition (2015–2023)

Richard Kimber Franklin (15 January 1936 – 25 December 2023)[2][3] was an English actor, writer, director and political activist. Principally a stage actor, he also appeared as a regular character in several high-profile British television programmes, including Crossroads and Emmerdale Farm, and he portrayed Captain Mike Yates of UNIT in Doctor Who from 1971 until 1974, returning to the role on a number of occasions both on television and in Doctor Who spin-off media.

Franklin was a dramatist and the author of the book Forest Wisdom: Radical Reform of Democracy and the Welfare State,[4] which reflected his political views and activism. He also wrote novels based in the Whoniverse. Franklin stood as a candidate for the UK Parliament for several parties and founded the Silent Majority Party.

  1. ^ "Richard Franklin: Doctor Who and Emmerdale actor dies on Christmas morning". Sky News. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  2. ^ Bashforth, Emily (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who star Richard Franklin dies on Christmas Day aged 87". Metro. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Richard Franklin: Doctor Who and Emmerdale actor dies on Christmas morning". Sky News. 25 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  4. ^ Franklin, Richard Kimber (2003). Forest Wisdom: Radical Reform of Democracy and the Welfare State. FW Publications. ISBN 9780954630706.