Michael Crawford
Biography
Michael Crawford is an English entertainer known for musical theater, television comedy, and film. Born in Salisbury in 1942, he started as a boy soprano in Benjamin Britten's operas, including Let's Make an Opera and Noye's Fludde, and made his film debut in 1958 in two children's films. Richard Lester gave him roles in The Knack... and How to Get It (1965), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966), and How I Won the War (1967). In Hello, Dolly! (1969) he shared top billing with Barbra Streisand. On television he played Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. His stage musicals included Billy, Barnum, which earned him his first Olivier Award, and The Phantom of the Opera, for which he won Olivier and Tony Awards. He also recorded show-tune albums such as Songs from the Stage and Screen.
84years old
Turns 85 on January 19in 98 days
- Born Salisbury
- Star sign: CapricornLast day of the sign, on the Aquarius cusp
- Also credited as Michael Patrick Smith and Michael Patrick Dumbell-Smith
Movie Career
- Films
- 11
- Career span
- 31 years1962 to 1993
First and latest
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A role that slipped away
Crawford was not first in line for Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Ronnie Barker was offered the show and said no, then Norman Wisdom did likewise, before Crawford took on the challenge.
Getting ready for a role
Crawford trained at the Big Apple Circus School in New York City for his role as P. T. Barnum, learning tight-rope walking, juggling and sliding down a rope from the theater rafters.
Own stunts
Crawford performed his own stunts throughout Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and never used a double, drawing on his admiration for Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin.
First role
In a school production of Benjamin Britten's Let's Make an Opera, Crawford played Sammy the Little Sweep, conducted by Donald Mitchell, and the show moved to Brixton Town Hall in London.
About the name
Crawford was told to change his name because a television newsman named Michael Ingram was already registered with British Equity. He then adopted Crawford.
Getting ready for a role
Crawford took the part of the leading man in the musical Billy, which opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in 1974. He studied singing with Ian Adam and dancing with Onna White to prepare.
Michael Crawford movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Richard Lester directed three of these films. Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Michael Hordern's page
Roy Kinnear's page
Oliver Reed's page
John Bluthal's page
Dandy Nichols's page
Charles Dyer's page
All films by Richard Lester
Awards
Five awards and honors from 1981 to 1988, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Awards | |||
| 1988 | Best Actor in a Musical | The Phantom of the Opera | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 1988 | Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Won | |
| 1981 | Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical | Won | |
| Commander of the Order of the British Empire | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.