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Dominic Guard

Dominic Guard ( 18 ) is an English psychotherapist, of children's activity , and former best known for his early film roles, including Leo Colston in The Go-Between () and of Peregrin "Pippin" Took in the animated The Lord of the Rings (). in to stage and , Guard grew up in a theatrical family alongside his older brother, . He began his acting career at age 15, debuting in The Go-Between, a period drama directed by Joseph Losey that earned him the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles in 1972. Guard's subsequent notable performances included Michael in Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), a mystery film by Peter Weir, and a guest role as Olvir in the 1983 Doctor Who serial Terminus. He continued acting into the 1990s, appearing in films like Gandhi (1982) and television productions, but retired from the profession at the start of the 21st century. In the early 2000s, Guard trained as a psychotherapist and became a fully accredited member of the for (UKCP), specializing in integrative . He now maintains a private practice in , working with children aged 3–18, adolescents, families, and parents, and serves as Programme Director at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, where he also provides supervision. Additionally, Guard has authored over a dozen children's books since the mid-2000s, focusing on interactive themes like fairies and mermaids, including titles such as Secrets of Fairy Lore (2008) and Little Box of Mermaid Treasures (2007). He was previously married to actress , with whom he has two children, Beatrice and William.

Early life

Family background

Dominic Guard was born on 18 June 1956 in , . He is the son of Philip Guard, an English stage actor, and , an and . Guard has an older brother, , born in 1953 and also an actor, as well as a sister, Candy Guard, who is a writer and animator. His cousin, , is likewise an actress, underscoring a strong family tradition in the . Guard was raised in within this acting-oriented household, where his parents' careers in theater and provided early exposure to the creative and professional worlds of performance.

Entry into acting

Guard grew up in Hammersmith, , attending local schools during his early years. Influenced by his family's deep roots in the , he developed an early interest in . Guard began his acting career at age 15, debuting in The Go-Between (1971).

Acting career

Child roles

Guard's breakthrough came at age 14 with his leading role as Leo Colston in Joseph Losey's 1971 adaptation of L.P. Hartley's novel The Go-Between. In the film, set in the summer of 1900, the middle-class schoolboy Leo is invited to stay at a Norfolk estate, where he becomes unwittingly entangled in a passionate affair between his classmate's older sister, Marian (Julie Christie), and a local farmer, Ted Burgess (Alan Bates). Guard portrayed Leo's emotional journey from innocence to disillusionment with a subtle intensity, capturing the boy's awkward fascination and eventual heartbreak through restrained expressions and body language that highlighted his vulnerability. His performance earned critical praise for its authenticity, with reviewers noting it as one of the finest juvenile portrayals of the era, marked by a natural shyness that amplified the story's themes of class and repression. For this debut, Guard received the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles in 1972, a recognition that significantly boosted his early career visibility. In 1973, Guard appeared as George Matcham Jr., the young nephew of Admiral Horatio Nelson, in the historical drama The Nelson Affair (also known as Bequest to the Nation), directed by . The film explored Nelson's extramarital relationship with Lady Hamilton () amid the , with Guard's character providing a familial perspective on the admiral's personal turmoil and legacy. His role contributed to the production's focus on authenticity, portraying youthful within the constraints of 19th-century . Guard's international profile grew with his supporting role as Michael Fitzhubert in Peter Weir's 1975 Australian mystery Picnic at Hanging Rock. As one of the college boys involved in the search for three schoolgirls who mysteriously vanish during a Valentine's Day outing in 1900, Guard embodied the bewilderment and obsession that grips the community, adding to the film's atmospheric tension and exploration of colonial unease. The role, though secondary, benefited from the movie's critical and commercial success, which garnered widespread acclaim for its haunting ambiguity and helped introduce Guard to global audiences. Throughout the mid-1970s, Guard took on several minor child roles that further showcased his versatility, including Albert Mondego, the son of a key , in the 1975 television adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's , starring . These parts, often in period pieces, reinforced his reputation for conveying youthful earnestness amid dramatic intrigue. Critics lauded Guard's overall early work for its emotional depth and precocity, with the BAFTA win propelling him toward more prominent opportunities and establishing a foundation for his adolescent career trajectory, aided in part by family ties in the acting world.

Adult roles

Guard's transition to adult roles began prominently in 1978 with his voice performance as Peregrin "Pippin" Took in Ralph Bakshi's animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Recorded in a studio session alongside his brother Christopher Guard, who voiced Frodo Baggins, Dominic's portrayal captured Pippin's youthful impulsiveness and loyalty, contributing to the film's innovative rotoscoped animation style that blended live-action reference with fantasy visuals. This role marked an early milestone in animated fantasy adaptations, influencing later Tolkien interpretations by emphasizing ensemble hobbit dynamics in epic narratives. That same year, Guard appeared in the Absolution, directed by Anthony Page, where he played Benjamin "Benjie" Stanfield, a cunning at a Catholic who orchestrates a deadly against his headmaster, portrayed by . The explored themes of , , and in a horror-tinged setting, showcasing Guard's ability to embody complex adolescent antagonism. His performance added tension to the narrative's descent into paranoia and retribution. In 1980, Guard took on a smaller part in the supernatural horror film The Watcher in the Woods, directed by John Hough, appearing as young John Keller in flashback sequences. The Disney production delved into ghostly mysteries and family secrets in a rural English setting, with Guard's brief role underscoring the eerie legacy of past events central to Bette Davis's lead performance. This appearance highlighted his versatility in genre films blending horror and suspense. Guard's film work continued with a cameo in Richard Attenborough's epic Gandhi (1982), where he portrayed a , a young amid the . Within the film's sweeping portrayal of Gandhi's life, spanning non-violent protests to global impact, Guard's role contributed to the depiction of colonial youth confronting ideological shifts. The production, starring , earned multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, for its monumental scope. The following year, in 1982, Guard played Andrew Lunn in the crime thriller An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, adapted from P.D. James's novel and directed by Christopher Petit. Playing a suspect in a suspicious death investigation, he shared the screen with his cousin Pippa Guard, who led as detective Cordelia Gray; the film examined gender roles and amateur sleuthing in a moody, atmospheric mystery. This familial collaboration underscored Guard's sustained presence in British cinema. Also in 1983, Guard guest-starred as Olvir in the Doctor Who serial Terminus. Throughout the , Guard's film appearances became sparse, with no major leading roles documented, reflecting a gradual shift away from screen acting. His adult , spanning from the late 1970s to around 2000, featured a mix of voice work, thrillers, and historical cameos that built on his early acclaim but saw diminishing opportunities in , leading to a focus on television and eventual pivot.

Later career

Transition to psychotherapy

By the late , Dominic Guard's acting career had significantly slowed, with his final credited role in the 2000 episode "Lord Edgware Dies" of the ITV series Agatha Christie's Poirot. This period of reevaluation culminated in his decision to leave entirely around 2000, marking the end of a profession that had defined much of his adult life. Guard's initial steps toward psychotherapy involved enrolling in specialized training programs in , including those at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and , where he qualified as an integrative psychotherapist. These institutions provided the rigorous and necessary for by such as the UK Council for (UKCP). The shift from the performative demands of to the introspective, confidential nature of therapeutic work required Guard to adapt to a more structured, behind-the-scenes role focused on supporting children's emotional development.

Work as a psychotherapist and author

Guard is a UKCP-registered integrative psychotherapist based in , maintaining a private practice that provides emotional support to children aged 3 to 18, adolescents, families, and parents. His clinical work spans various settings, including Family Futures, schools, and programs for school-excluded children, where he also serves as an . As Programme Director at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, Guard employs creative therapeutic methods that incorporate arts to foster emotional development and in young clients. This integrative approach draws on diverse modalities tailored to the needs of youth facing emotional challenges. Parallel to his therapeutic practice, Guard has authored over ten children's books since the early 2000s, centering on themes of fantasy, , and personal growth to engage young readers emotionally. Representative works include Little Box of Mermaid Treasures (Barron's Educational Series, 2007), which features interactive mermaid-themed activities, and Secrets of Lore (Barron's Educational Series, 2008), exploring fairy myths and magical elements. As of 2025, Guard continues his private practice and supervisory role while pursuing authorship.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Dominic Guard was married to British actress , with whom he co-starred in the 1978 psychological thriller , playing a student opposite her role as Louella. Their relationship, rooted in the shared world of acting, lasted 35 years and involved collaborative interests such as co-founding the Supporters Club in the early . The couple divorced sometime before 2018. No other notable romantic relationships have been publicly documented.

Family and legacy

Guard and his former wife Sharon Duce have two children: daughter Bea Guard and son William Guard. Bea Guard has pursued a career in acting, appearing in films such as Fever Pitch (1997) and Pure (2002), as well as the television series Body Story 2 (2001). Their son, William Guard, lives in Sweden. Guard maintains a family life in , where he resides in the area and balances his private practice—focused on children aged 3 to 18—with responsibilities. The Guard continues a tradition in , with Bea's roles and relatives including actor brother . As of 2025, Guard leads a low-profile lifestyle in , prioritizing his clinical work and writing over public appearances.

Filmography and selected works

Films

Dominic Guard appeared in nine feature films during his acting career, primarily in the 1970s and early 1980s, spanning genres including drama, historical biography, mystery, adventure, fantasy, and supernatural thriller. His debut role came in (1971), directed by , where he portrayed Leo Colston, a young boy who serves as a messenger in a forbidden aristocratic romance during the , earning critical acclaim for his performance as the film's emotional core. The film won the at the 1971 and secured several BAFTA Awards, including Best Screenplay for . In The Nelson Affair (1973), also known as Bequest to the Nation, Guard played George Matcham Jr., the nephew of Admiral Horatio Nelson, in this historical drama exploring Nelson's scandalous affair with Lady Hamilton amid naval triumphs. Guard took on the role of Michael Fitzhubert in Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Peter Weir's atmospheric mystery, as a who leads a search for vanished schoolgirls during a outing in 1900 , contributing to the film's haunting sense of . That same year, in the adventure film (1975), he depicted Albert Mondego, the son of the story's antagonist, in this adaptation of ' tale of revenge and betrayal starring . In (1978), Guard portrayed Benjamin "Benjie" Stanfield, a cunning student at a Catholic who orchestrates a psychological prank against his priest headmaster, played by , in this tense . He provided the voice of Peregrin "Pippin" Took in Ralph Bakshi's animated fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings (1978), voicing the hobbit alongside his brother Christopher Guard as Frodo in this adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel. Guard appeared as Young John Keller in the supernatural thriller The Watcher in the Woods (1980), a Disney production directed by John Hough, depicting a flashback version of the protagonist's brother in a story involving a girl's disappearance and eerie woodland phenomena. In the Academy Award-winning historical biography Gandhi (1982), directed by , Guard had a supporting role as a British subaltern during the , appearing in scenes of colonial tension. His final film credit was in An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982), based on ' novel, where he played Andrew Lunn, a key figure in a private investigator's probe into a young man's apparent suicide, co-starring with his cousin Pippa Guard.

Television

Dominic Guard began his television during his teenage years, appearing in several productions that showcased his early dramatic in family-oriented dramas and literary adaptations. His debut TV role came in the TV movie The Hands of Cormac Joyce (1972), where he portrayed Jackie Joyce, the young son of an fisherman grappling with tragedy and resilience in a rural coastal setting. This performance marked his transition from stage to screen in broadcast formats, emphasizing emotional depth in period pieces. In the mid-1970s, Guard took on prominent supporting roles in high-profile miniseries and TV films, often playing introspective youths in historical contexts. He appeared as Albert de Morcerf Mondego in the ITV adaptation The Count of Monte Cristo (1975), a swashbuckling tale of revenge where his character navigates aristocratic intrigue alongside Richard Chamberlain's Edmond Dantès. The following year, he starred as the narrator and protagonist Huw Morgan in the BBC Wales miniseries How Green Was My Valley (1975–1976), depicting the coming-of-age story of a boy in a declining Welsh mining community, which earned praise for its faithful rendering of Richard Llewellyn's novel. Guard's television work in the late 1970s and 1980s shifted toward guest appearances in crime and mystery series, reflecting the era's popularity of procedural dramas on British networks like BBC and ITV. He guest-starred as Jeremy in the episode "Knock for Knock" of the detective series Shoestring (1979), assisting private investigator Eddie Shoestring in uncovering a furniture scam targeting the elderly. He also featured as Paul in the Austrian-set drama Fräulein Else (1983), a BBC adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's novella about psychological turmoil in early 20th-century Europe, and Olvir in the Doctor Who serial Terminus (1983), a science fiction adventure. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, Guard maintained a steady presence in episodic television, particularly in long-running British crime and medical dramas, often portraying authority figures or troubled professionals. Notable roles include Robin Granger in The Bill (1984), a where he depicted a community member entangled in a fraud case; Rev. Ian in another The Bill episode (1991); and Tony Baker in yet another (1996). In the hospital series Casualty, he appeared as Tim Scanlon, a patient in crisis, in 1992, and as Philip Hall, a doctor facing ethical dilemmas, in 1995. His genre work extended to Wycliffe (1995), where he played Mick Brandon, a family man implicated in a homicide investigation in this Cornish-set detective series. In animation, Guard provided the voice of the Driving Test Examiner across multiple episodes of the satirical children's series Pond Life (1996), a comic take on British suburban life broadcast on Channel 4. One of his final major TV credits was as Bryan Martin in the Agatha Christie's Poirot episode "Lord Edgware Dies" (2000), portraying a scheming aristocrat in the ITV mystery that unraveled a stabbing plot among London's elite. Overall, Guard's two dozen television appearances predominantly featured British productions in crime, drama, and adaptation genres, complementing his film work with concise, character-driven contributions rather than lead roles in ongoing series.

References

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