Dudley Long – Actor

This site is a family tribute, dedicated to the memory of actor, writer, teacher, director and producer Dudley Long. It is currently in progress but, we are currently putting together a history of this this wonderful man, and welcome for your input if you knew him as a colleague, friend or student.

Dudley Vincent Long

Dudley Vincent Long, was born on 5 July 1944, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to proud parents Richard Bradley Long, Insurance Salesman & Gladys Olive Vincent. He came from a family of 5. His brothers were, John, Richard & sisters, Moira & Pammy (who was his wardrobe mistress, when he was ever at the Kings Theatre, Southsea).

He was educated at the Local Grammar School, but left school at the age of 15. Like a lot of boys his age, he was unsure of what career to pursue. So, during the next 3 years, he tried his hand at 70 different jobs, but still the perfect job eluded him. He worked as a Farm Labourer, as a Labourer on a Building Site, at IBM as an Analyst. Out of desperation, at the age of 18, he decided to join the Army. This pursuit, lasted until he was 21.

Then the Show Business bug hit him. Finally, Dudley found his passion, with the Stage & Film & all it’s Glitz, Glamour, Glory & all it had to offer. He trained at the Webber-Douglas Academy for 2 years & then joined the Liverpool Playhouse company in 1970. He worked with the Yorkshire Theatre company, for a time as their leading man & excelled in situation comedy. With the help of some fellow thespians, he helped run his own academy, The Upstream Theatre, which was situated at St Andrews Church, in Short Street, Waterloo, London.

Dudley, was able to turn his hand to most things. He has appeared on Stage, many times, in various plays, like Ten Times Tables 1979 – with Irene Handl, The Happy Apple 1980 – with Lorraine Chase (the Other Arf) & Geoffrey Davies (Doctor in the House, etc), & Signpost to Murder – with Annette Andre & Richard Todd. During this time he struck up a relationship with the leading lady, Annette & they rejoiced in having a daughter, Anouska. Other productions, were Richard Harris’s “Three Piece Suite” & twice as the Wizard Gandalf, in the play “The Hobbit” with Malcom Dixon (The Time Bandits) 1984 & 1986, in which he was brilliant.

He has often appeared, in many a Pantomime…..Oh, yes he has……As many an actor will tell you, they revel in playing a baddie. Dudley, was a tall man, with a commanding presence. It is not surprising that he was cast as Abanazer, the evil Magician, in a production of “Aladdin” with Norman Collier & Little & Large. This part was akin to Jafar in Disney’s animated film “Aladdin”. Audience’s loved to boo him, which he revelled in. He knew the younger patrons had filled up on sweets & lemonade, during the production. So he would retort with phrases like “Shut up kids, or I’ll lock the loo’s”. He also appeared with Dickie Henderson & Keith Harris (of Orville fame) in Robinson Crusoe.

Dudley was also a writer & penned a 6 part comedy series for BBC2 called “L for Lester”. This starred Brian Murphy (George & Mildred), & Amanda Barrie (Carry On Cabby & Cleo). He also appeared in it too as PC Bright.

He appeared in many an Advert on TV, Including Club Biscuits, Lager ( as a Knight on Horseback) & most memorably, as a Turf Accountant, who lost his shirt, but hasn’t a care in the world & smoking….”A Hamlet Cigar” which apparently encompasses the epitome of happiness

He was also no stranger to the world of TV. He appeared in the 2 episodes of “Dr Who” Opposite Jon Pertwee & Elizabeth Sladen, as Robot (exterior with head) in the serial “The Time Warrior” 1973/1974. Unfortunately, this was an uncredited appearance. Furthermore, he was a Fisherman in Episode 1 of the 1977 series called “Time Of My Life” as a Fisherman.

Dudley is also the father of Annette Andre’s daughter, Anouska who was born in 1979.

As versatile as ever, Dudley appeared in Motion pictures as well. He can be seen as “Anti-Peeper Patrol” in “What’s Up Nurse” & it is believed that he was also a Roman Soldier in Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”. We can imagine the fun & laughter of the soldier actors, as they react, to Michael Palin’s “Pontius Pilate” improvising the famous “Biggus Dickus” scene. They were unaware of the jokes & were dared not to laugh when he asks if they find the name risible or not.

Is there no end to this man’s talent? He even had the job of being the straight to Warren Mitchell (Alf Garnett, ‘Til Death us Do Part, In Sickness & Health) in Cabaret.

Sadly, Dudley’s talent & career prospects were cut short, when to left us to appear as Media advisor in Heaven on 25 December 1995 from Bromley, Kent. He has touched so many people’s lives & enriched those whom he came in contact with.

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His funeral, in Crystal Palace, on 8th January 1996, was well attended, by friends, family & stars from the acting fraternity. Brian Murphy (Man about the house, George & Mildred) & his acting friend, Ian Hogg (Rockliffe’s Babies, Rockliffe’s Follies) were there. Ian Hogg read a passage from King Lear. Dudley’s friend, producer & actress, Polly March read an extract from Mary McWilliams diaries & Brian Sibley (Writer) read from AA Miles Winnie the Pooh. Dudley’s nephew Simon Long sang the Lords Prayer. Annette Andre (Randall & Hopkirk, deceased, The Saint) gave a lovely speech & shared her memories of the man she was fond of. She had been a big part of his life. His wake was held back at his flat in Crystal Palace. It was lovely to see everybody & marvel at Dudley’s memorabilia.

We hope that this website with become augmented with further enrichments from people who loved & knew him.