Harold Innocent

Harold Innocent (18 April 1933 – 12 September 1993) was an English actor renowned for his versatile performances in film, television, and theater, particularly his portrayals of the corrupt Bishop of Hereford in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the Duke of Burgundy in Kenneth Branagh's 1989 adaptation of Shakespeare's [Henry V](/page/Henry V). Born Harold Sidney Harrison in Coventry, Warwickshire, he adopted the stage name Innocent early in his career and trained at the Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Arts before serving in the Royal Air Force. His professional debut came in 1959 on the American television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents, marking the start of a prolific career that spanned over three decades and included guest appearances on American television series such as Gunsmoke, Ben Casey, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, and Have Gun – Will Travel. Innocent's theater work was equally distinguished, highlighted by a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984, where he performed in productions that showcased his command of classical roles. Transitioning to film in the 1970s, he appeared in notable British productions like the 1985 dystopian satire Brazil as an interview official, and later gained international recognition through supporting roles in high-profile historical epics. His final film appearance was in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, opposite Kevin Costner, cementing his reputation for playing authoritative yet villainous clergymen. Innocent also featured in television films, including the role of Robert Hazlett in the 1992 drama Fergie & Andrew: Behind the Palace Doors. After early work in American television, Innocent was based in London, where he continued working until his death after a short illness at his home on 12 September 1993, at the age of 60. Throughout his career, he balanced character-driven supporting parts with a distinctive presence that blended gravitas and subtle menace, contributing to over 70 credited roles across mediums.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Harold Sidney Harrison, who later adopted the professional name Harold Innocent, was born on 18 April 1933 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England.^[1]^[2] He attended Broad Street Secondary Modern School in Coventry, completing his education there before entering the workforce.^[3] Following school, Innocent worked briefly as an office clerk, but soon recognized that clerical work did not suit him, prompting a shift toward his interest in acting.^[3]

Training

Following his brief experience as an office clerk after leaving school, Harold Innocent undertook National Service in the Royal Air Force.^[4]^[5] Upon completing his RAF service, Innocent enrolled at the Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Arts, where he received formal instruction in voice, movement, and dramatic interpretation.^[2]^[4] The curriculum emphasized classical techniques and stage presence, equipping him with the foundational skills essential for professional theatre. During this formative period, he changed his birth name from Harold Sidney Harrison to the stage name Harold Innocent.^[1]^[2]

Career

Stage career

Harold Innocent began his professional stage career in the late 1950s, appearing in an Old Vic Company production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Old Vic Theatre in London in 1957-1958, where he took on multiple ensemble roles including the Priest and a Sailor.^[6] This early work highlighted his ability to contribute effectively in supporting capacities within classical theatre ensembles.^[7] In 1981, Innocent performed as the Coachman in Tom Stoppard's adaptation of On the Razzle at the National Theatre's Lyttelton auditorium, directed by Peter Wood, alongside a cast featuring Felicity Kendal and Martin Shaw.^[8] The production, a comedic take on Johann Nestroy's original, ran from September 1981 and showcased Innocent's skill in modern farce and ensemble dynamics.^[9] Innocent joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for its 1984 season at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, appearing in several Shakespearean productions that demonstrated his range in historical and comedic roles. He portrayed King Edward IV in Bill Alexander's production of Richard III, opposite Clive Wood as the title character.^[10] In Adrian Noble's Henry V, he played the Archbishop of Canterbury, supporting Kenneth Branagh in the lead.^[11] Additionally, he featured in John Barton's Love's Labour's Lost.^[6] These RSC engagements underscored his versatility across classical repertoire, from tragic history to romantic comedy. Later in his stage career, Innocent took on a whimsical role as the Caterpillar in a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in 1986, directed by Frank Dunlop with Lesley Manville as Alice.^[12] This production blended music, puppetry, and Lewis Carroll's narrative, allowing Innocent to explore fantastical elements distinct from his Shakespearean work. In 1987, he made his operatic debut as Sir Despard Murgatroyd in a centenary performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore with New Sadler's Wells Opera. Throughout his theatre tenure, Innocent's ensemble contributions in both classical and contemporary pieces affirmed his adaptability as a character actor in British stage traditions.^[13]

Television career

Harold Innocent began his television career with a guest appearance on the American anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1959.^[2]^[1] Following his relocation to Hollywood, he secured regular roles in prominent U.S. Western and medical dramas, including episodes of Gunsmoke and Ben Casey, which highlighted his versatility in supporting character parts during the early 1960s.^[2]^[1] Returning to the United Kingdom, Innocent became a familiar face in British television, often portraying authoritative or eccentric figures. One of his notable roles was as Gilbert M., a sycophantic bureaucrat in the Doctor Who serial The Happiness Patrol in 1988.^[14] Earlier, in 1969, he appeared as an assassin in the pilot episode of the supernatural detective series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), contributing to the show's memorable opening sequence.^[15] In the early 1990s, Innocent continued with guest spots in popular procedural series, including an episode of Heartbeat in 1993 where he played Martin Lessor, and a comedic turn as Viking in The Detectives that same year.^[16]^[14] These later appearances underscored his enduring presence in British episodic television until his final role shortly before his death.^[17]

Film career

Harold Innocent began his film career with a supporting role as the bank manager in the 1970 black comedy Loot, an adaptation of Joe Orton's play directed by Silvio Narizzano, marking his debut in feature cinema.^[18] This early appearance showcased his talent for portraying bureaucratic or officious characters, a type he would refine throughout his sporadic but impactful film work.^[2] Building on his extensive television experience, which provided versatility in ensemble casts, Innocent transitioned to more prominent cinema roles in the 1980s.^[1] In Terry Gilliam's surreal dystopian film Brazil (1985), he played an interview official, contributing to the movie's satirical depiction of a nightmarish bureaucracy.^[19] Innocent's reputation as a reliable character actor grew with his portrayal of the Duke of Burgundy in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V (1989), where he embodied the noble's diplomatic yet conflicted demeanor during the historical negotiations.^[14] His final screen appearance came in the blockbuster adventure Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), directed by Kevin Reynolds, in which he depicted the corrupt Bishop of Hereford, a scheming antagonist aligned with the Sheriff of Nottingham.^[1] This role highlighted Innocent's skill in bringing moral ambiguity and subtle menace to authority figures, solidifying his niche in British cinema.

Death and legacy

Death

Harold Innocent died on 12 September 1993 at his home in London, England, at the age of 60.^[1]^[2] He had been suffering from a short illness prior to his passing.^[2]^[20] Obituaries published shortly after his death highlighted his residence in London at the time and noted his recent appearance as Robert Hazlett in the television film Fergie & Andrew: Behind the Palace Doors.^[2]^[21]

Legacy

Harold Innocent is remembered as a versatile and respected character actor whose career spanned British theatre, television, and international film, amassing over 70 credits across genres.^[1]^[2]^[22] Innocent's enduring association stems from his portrayals of villainous or eccentric figures, particularly the corrupt Bishop of Hereford in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), a role that captured his talent for infusing authority with sly malevolence. Such performances, alongside others like the Duke of Burgundy in Henry V (1989), cemented his reputation for bringing depth to antagonistic characters in high-profile films.^[1]^[2] Details of Innocent's personal life remain sparse in public records, reflecting his emphasis on craft over publicity; tributes highlight this reticence alongside appreciation for his reliable presence in an industry favoring leads.^[1]^[2]