Anthony Newley

George Anthony Newley (b. September 24, 1931 - April 14, 1999 in London_Borough_of_Hackney) was a British actor, singer and songwriter.

Related Topics:
September 24 - 1931 - April 14 - 1999 - London_Borough_of_Hackney - British - Actor - Singer - Songwriter

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His first major film role was as the Artful Dodger in David Lean's 1948 Oliver Twist.

Related Topics:
The Artful Dodger - David Lean - 1948 - Oliver Twist

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Newley had a successful pop music career, with two number ones in 1960: "Why?" and "Do You Mind?" He won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I", but was also well-known for "Gonna Build a Mountain" and comic novelty songs such as his version of "Strawberry Fair". With Leslie Bricusse, he wrote the musical Stop the World, I Want to Get Off in which he also performed, earning a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. His other musicals include The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd (1965) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971).

Related Topics:
1960 - 1963 - Grammy Award for Song of the Year - Leslie Bricusse - Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical - 1965 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

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In recognition of his creative skills and body of work, Newley was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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He was married to Ann Lynn from 1956 to 1963, but it ended in divorce. He then was married to the actress Joan Collins from 1963 to 1971; the couple had two children, Tara Newley and Sasha Newley. His third wife was former air hostess Dareth Rich, and they also had two children, Christopher and Shelby.

Related Topics:
1956 - 1963 - Joan Collins - Tara Newley

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His last feature role was in 1998 when Newley joined the cast of Eastenders in what was to have been a regular part as Vince Watson, but Newley withdrew after a few months when his health began to fail. Anthony Newley died in Jensen Beach, Florida in 1999 of renal cancer at the age of 67. He was survived by his 4 children, and also his mother, Grace, then in her mid-90s.

Related Topics:
1998 - Eastenders - Jensen Beach, Florida - 1999

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The shortlived 1960 ATV series The Strange World of Gurney Slade in which Newley starred continues to have a cult following due to its advanced postmodern premise that the Newley character is trapped inside a television programme. Apart from a repeat of one episode on Channel 4 in the mid-1980s it has not been seen in the UK in recent years. The show's theme tune by Max Harris may be better-known today than the series itself.

Related Topics:
1960 - ATV - Channel 4

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Newley's vocal style has been recognised as a major influence on that of David Bowie.

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