Terence Longdon (14 May 1922 – 23 April 2011) was an English actor. Born "Hubert Tuelly Longdon" in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, he was best known for his lead role in the 1950s-1960s British TV series Garry Halliday where he played a Biggles-like pilot who flew into various adventure situations. In film he was Drusus, Messala's personal aide in the film Ben-Hur. He was also known for his character actor roles in British television productions such as The Sandbaggers, Danger Man, and The Avengers. He was also in some of the early Carry On films.He also had a role in the 1958 film Another Time, Another Place starring alongside Sean Connery and Lana Turner.Terence Longdon lived on the border of Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. He died as a result of cancer on 23 April 2011, aged 88 years.
[Commenting on his reasons for refusing the offer of a long term "Carry On" contract] I discussed it with my agent for hours but eventually decided to turn it down because I didn't want to be confined to one particular line of movies.
2
[Speaking about Carry on Sergeant (1958)] "I remember I used to drive in from Sunningdale, I was living there."
3
[Speaking about Carry on Sergeant (1958) and his first scene in the film in the car] "I can't remember the girl in the car, but I can remember the car!"
His father had business interests in the wool industry.
3
Longdon's first job was as a bank clerk. During World War II, he served as a pilot with the Fleet Air Arm, providing aerial protection for Atlantic convoys.
4
Trained at RADA, 1946-48, then joined the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield as stage manager. Stage debut there in 1948. Subsequently at the London West End and appearances in classical roles with the New Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford, 1951-54. Acted in character roles on screen, often in British second features as stiff-upper-lip military types, or in epic costume dramas, including his "Patroclus" in Helen of Troy (1956) and "Drusus" in Ben-Hur (1959). Prolific television appearances from the 1960's.
5
After Carry on Regardless (1961) he decided not to commit to any more "Carry On" films despite the offer of a long term contract.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hitler: The Rise of Evil
2003
TV Mini-Series
Baron #1
Letters from the East
1996
Juri
Perfect Scoundrels
1990
TV Series
Dermody
Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV
1986-1987
TV Series
Antiques Expert / Panel Chairman
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
1986
TV Series
Isa Whitney
Potter
1983
TV Series
Enderby
Coronation Street
1982
TV Series
Wilf Stockwell
The Sea Wolves
1980
Malverne
The Martian Chronicles
1980
TV Mini-Series
Wise Martian
The Sandbaggers
1978
TV Series
Commodore (Intelligence)
The Cedar Tree
1978
TV Series
Bill Oldershaw
The Wild Geese
1978
Anonymous Man
The New Avengers
1977
TV Series
Commander East
The Expert
1976
TV Series
Patrick Hawkes
The Gathering Storm
1974
TV Movie
Admiral Browning
Late Night Drama
1974
TV Series
Thirty-Minute Theatre
1971
TV Series
Donald Fell
The Avengers
1968
TV Series
George Neville
This Way for Murder
1967
TV Mini-Series
Jim Raikes
Breaking Point
1966
TV Series
Hellman
Redcap
1966
TV Series
Colonel Wright
The Return of Mr. Moto
1965
Jonathan Westering
Blackmail
1965
TV Series
David Masterman
R3
1965
TV Series
Peterson
Secret Agent
1964
TV Series
Rowland
Escape by Night
1964
Martin Lord
No Hiding Place
1963
TV Series
Nigel Carpenter
Compact
1963
TV Series
Morton
Emergency-Ward 10
1963
TV Series
Freddy Waters
ITV Play of the Week
1958-1963
TV Series
Charles Stanton
Henry
Alcoa Premiere
1963
TV Series
Lieutenant Bush
Garry Halliday
1959-1962
TV Series
Garry Halliday
What a Whopper
1961
Vernon
Operation Snafu
1961
Air Gunner
Drama 61-67
1961
TV Series
Spencer
Murder on the Campus
1961
Mark Kingston (as Terence Longden)
Dear Charles
1961
TV Movie
Sir Michael Anstruther
Carry on Regardless
1961
Montgomery Infield-Hopping
Danger Man
1961
TV Series
Saunders
International Detective
1960
TV Series
Mr. Gordon
Saturday Playhouse
1960
TV Series
Maddox / Robert Graham
The Army Game
1960
TV Series
Gervaise Featherstonehaugh
Carry on Constable
1960
Herbert Hall
Ben-Hur
1959
Drusus
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre
1950-1959
TV Series
Langford / Leading Supply Assistant Coke / Robin Conway / ...