James Laurenson

Biography

James Laurenson was a New Zealand actor who worked extensively in British theater, film and television. Born in Marton, he studied theater at Canterbury University College and was directed by Ngaio Marsh in the title role of Macbeth in 1962. After moving to the United Kingdom in the mid-1960s, he made his film debut in Women in Love (1969) and took Shakespearean roles including Richard II and Rosencrantz in Hamlet. He played Piers Gaveston in Edward II opposite Ian McKellen and appeared in costume dramas such as Elizabeth R and The Shadow of the Tower. In 1972 he starred as detective inspector Napoleon Bonaparte in the Australian series Boney, his most prominent part, though some critics questioned the casting of a white actor as a half-Aboriginal character. Later screen work included The Monster Club (1981), Pink Floyd The Wall (1982), Heartbreakers (1984), Henry IV, Parts I and II in 2012, and The Crown in 2016. He died in 2024.

84years old at death

Born February 17, 1940Marton
Died April 18, 2024Frome
Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18

Movie Career

Films: 9
Career span: 41 years1981 to 2022

Genres

Drama78%, 7 films
Comedy33%, 3 films
Action22%, 2 films
Adventure22%, 2 films
Musical22%, 2 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Big break
Laurenson's most high-profile part was Detective Inspector Napoleon "Boney" Bonaparte in the Australian TV drama Boney, a police detective who was half-Aboriginal. He played the role for two seasons, and some Australian critics, including from the Aboriginal community, criticized the casting of a white man.
A first
In 1984, Laurenson played Julian Marsh in the West End staging of Gower Champion's musical 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It was the only musical part of his career.
Early training
Laurenson studied theater at Canterbury University College in Christchurch. Dame Ngaio Marsh directed him there, including in the title role of Macbeth at the Civic Theatre Christchurch in 1962.

James Laurenson movies on Netflix

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical2022IMDb rating 7.0as Ancient / Sleeping Teacher
Private Peaceful2012IMDb rating 6.2as Major Fitzpatrick
Holy Flying Circus2011IMDb rating 7.0as Archbishop of York
The Cat's Meow2001IMDb rating 6.4as Dr. Daniel Goodman
Sharpe's Revenge1997IMDb rating 7.6as Major General Hector Ross
Sharpe's Regiment1996IMDb rating 7.8as Major General Hector Ross
Heartbreakers1984IMDb rating 6.2as Terry Ray
Pink Floyd The Wall1982IMDb rating 8.0as J.A. Pinkerton (Pink's Father)
The Monster Club1981IMDb rating 5.9as Raven (the Shadmock)

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Pink Floyd The Wall1982 Animation, Drama, Musicalas J.A. Pinkerton (Pink's Father)
IMDb rating 8.091K votes
The Cat's Meow2001 Dramaas Dr. Daniel Goodman
IMDb rating 6.49.6K votes
Sharpe's Regiment1996as Major General Hector Ross
IMDb rating 7.82.4K votes
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical2022as Ancient / Sleeping Teacher
IMDb rating 7.034K votes
The Monster Club1981as Raven (the Shadmock)
IMDb rating 5.95.2K votes
Sharpe's Revenge1997as Major General Hector Ross
IMDb rating 7.62.1K votes
Heartbreakers1984as Terry Ray
IMDb rating 6.2753 votes
Private Peaceful2012as Major Fitzpatrick
IMDb rating 6.21.9K votes

Most often with

Tom Clegg directed two of these films. Four actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Sean Bean

Daragh O'Malley

Michael Cochrane

Abigail Cruttenden

Tom CleggDirector, 2 films

Films together

Sean Bean2 films together, 1996 to 1997
Sean Bean's page
- Sharpe's Revenge1997IMDb rating 7.6Laurenson as Major General Hector RossBean as Major Richard Sharpe
- Sharpe's Regiment1996IMDb rating 7.8Laurenson as Major General Hector RossBean as Major Richard Sharpe
Daragh O'Malley2 films together, 1996 to 1997
Daragh O'Malley's page
- Sharpe's Revenge1997IMDb rating 7.6Laurenson as Major General Hector RossO'Malley as Sergeant Major Patrick Harper
- Sharpe's Regiment1996IMDb rating 7.8Laurenson as Major General Hector RossO'Malley as Sergeant Major Patrick Harper
Michael Cochrane2 films together, 1996 to 2011
Michael Cochrane's page
- Holy Flying Circus2011IMDb rating 7.0Laurenson as Archbishop of YorkCochrane as Malcolm Muggeridge
- Sharpe's Regiment1996IMDb rating 7.8Laurenson as Major General Hector RossCochrane as Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson
Abigail Cruttenden2 films together, 1996 to 1997
Abigail Cruttenden's page
- Sharpe's Revenge1997IMDb rating 7.6Laurenson as Major General Hector RossCruttenden as Jane Sharpe
- Sharpe's Regiment1996IMDb rating 7.8Laurenson as Major General Hector RossCruttenden as Jane Gibbons
Tom CleggDirector, 2 films, 1996 to 1997
All films by Tom Clegg
- Sharpe's Revenge1997IMDb rating 7.6Laurenson as Major General Hector Ross
- Sharpe's Regiment1996IMDb rating 7.8Laurenson as Major General Hector Ross

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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