Stanley Baker
| Sir Stanley Baker | |
|---|---|
Baker in A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971)
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| Born |
William Stanley Baker 28 February 1928 Ferndale, Glamorgan, Wales |
| Died | 28 June 1976 (aged 48) Málaga, Andalusia, Spain |
| Cause of death | Pneumonia stemming from lung cancer |
| Occupation | Actor, film producer |
| Years active | 1943–44, 1948–75 |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Baker (1950–1976 (his death)) (4 children) |
| Children | Martin and Sally (twins), Glyn, Adam |
Sir William Stanley Baker (28 February 1928 – 28 June 1976) was a Welsh actor and film producer.
William Stanley Baker was born in Ferndale, Glamorgan, Wales, the youngest of three children. His father was a coal miner who lost a leg in a pit accident but continued working as a lift operator at the mine until his death. Baker grew up a self-proclaimed "wild kid" interested in only "football and boxing" although his artistic ability was spotted at an early age by a local teacher, Glynne Morse, who encouraged Baker to act.
When he was 14 he was performing in a school play when seen by a casting director from Ealing Studios, who recommended him for a role in Undercover (1943), a war film about the Yugoslav guerrillas in Serbia. He was paid £20 a week, caught the acting bug, and pursued a professional acting career. Six months later Baker appeared with Emlyn Williams in a play in the West End called The Druid's Rest, appearing alongside a young Richard Burton.
Baker worked for a time as an apprentice electrician, then through Morse's influence he managed to secure a position with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1944. His national service in 1946 interrupted his three years there. He served in the Royal Army Service Corps until 1948, achieving the rank of sergeant. Following his demob he returned to London determined to resume his acting career. He was recommended by Richard Burton for casting in a small role in Terence Rattigan's West End play, Adventure Story.
He began appearing in films and on television, as well as performing on stage for the Middlesex Repertory Company. He impressed when cast as the bosun's mate in the Hollywood-financed Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951).
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