DAVID HUDDLESTON

(17 September 1930 - 2 August 2016)

American David Huddleston was a fine character actor, good in both comedy and dramatic roles. He was never a star with his name over the title, except perhaps on stage where he memorably played Benjamin Franklin in the musical 1776 in 1998 and 2003. He worked in films and on TV for some 55 years, beginning in television in 1960. Films he will be remembered for include Howard Hawks’ Rio Lobo (1970), Robert Benton’s Bad Company (1972), as Olson Johnson in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974), memorable for his “No Irish” gag, Peter Hyams’ Capricorn One (1977) and as the eponymous star of Santa Claus (1985) with Dudley Moore, for which he was perfect casting. He was also the title character in the Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski (1998) and played the Judge in Mel Brooks’ musical remake of The Producers (2005). His last work was in a segment of the 2014 thriller Locker 13. With many other films and constant TV roles, David Huddleston was never out of work.

MICHAEL DARVELL