This Is Your Life: Edward Woodward 1

Edward WOODWARD (1930-2009)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Edward Woodward, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the bar of the White House Hotel in London, having been led to believe he was there for a business meeting.

Edward, who was born in Croydon, initially trained as a journalist, but having spent time with an amateur dramatic society, he went on to study with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, becoming their youngest ever student at the age of 16. He began his acting career on stage with regional repertory companies before making his London stage debut in 1955.

His first major success was in the play Rattle of a Simple Man, opposite Sheila Hancock, which played at London's Garrick Theatre in 1962, and on Broadway the following year. He became known to a broader audience in 1967 in the title role of the television spy drama series Callan - a role which earned him the 1970 British Academy of Film and Television Award for Best Actor.

Edward Woodward was a subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions - surprised again by Michael Aspel in January 1995 at Syon House in west London.

"I don't believe it! You're joking me? Where's your camera? I thought my family were behaving in a strange fashion - my son even put a tie on!"

programme details...

Edition No: 294
Subject No: 296
Broadcast date: Wed 3 Feb 1971
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 13 Jan 1971
Venue: Euston Road Studios
Series: 11
Edition: 12

on the guest list...

Venetia - wife
Ted - father
Violet - mother
Marion Renault
Fred Denney
John McBennett
Alan Wilson
Father Joe McClean
Tim - son
Peter - son
Aevar Kvaron
Russell Hunter
Sheila Hancock
Sarah - daughter

production team...

Researcher: unknown
Writer: unknown
Director: unknown
Producer: Robert Tyrrell

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Edward Woodward

second tribute

An Actor's Life For Me

spotlight on the stars

Life Second Time Around

surprised again!

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Sheila Hancock

Interviews

Screenshots of Edward Woodward This Is Your Life

Carolyn McGivern recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in her book, Starring Edward Woodward...

On 3rd February 1971 Woodward was surprised by This Is Your Life's Eamonn Andrews with the famous Big Red Book, in the bar of London's White House Hotel.

He exclaimed with disbelief, "You're joking me! I thought my family were behaving in a strange fashion - my son even put a tie on!"

Guests on the night included Brian Tesler, wife Venetia, his mother, Violet and father Edward, Marion Renault, Fred Denney, John McBennett, Alan Wilson, Father Joe McLean, his sons, Tim and Peter, and there were filmed tributes from Russell Hunter, Sheila Hancock, and daughter Sarah Woodward.

Series 11 subjects