Colin Gordon

Biography

Colin Gordon (27 April 1911 – 4 October 1972) was a notable British actor, originally hailing from Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. His early education took place at Marlborough College, followed by Christ Church, Oxford. Gordon made his theatrical debut in the West End in 1934, notably portraying the hind legs of a horse in the production of “Toad of Toad Hall.” From 1936 until 1939, he served as a director with the Fred Melville Repertory Company in Brixton. During World War II, he dedicated six years to military service.

Gordon's illustrious career spanned from the 1940s to the 1970s, during which he became a familiar face in British cinema and television, often cast as government officials. Notable films in his repertoire include “The Pink Panther” and “Casino Royale.” However, he is perhaps best remembered for his role as Number Two in the iconic series “The Prisoner.” Alongside Leo McKern, he was one of the few actors to reprise this role, first appearing in the episode "The General" and later in "A. B. and C.," which were intriguingly aired in reverse order due to production timelines.

Additionally, Gordon featured prominently in another ITC series, “The Baron,” as civil servant Templeton-Green. He also hosted the 1969 London Weekend Television series “The Complete and Utter History of Britain,” a collaborative effort between Michael Palin and Terry Jones prior to Monty Python fame, and portrayed the Airport Commandant in the 1967 “Doctor Who” episode “The Faceless Ones.” His versatility extended to appearances in “Bachelor Father” and a memorable guest role in the holiday episode of “Steptoe and Son.”