Patrick Macnee
Patrick Macnee
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Patrick Macnee's full name was Daniel Patrick Macnee. He is commonly known by his surname, Macnee.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: June 6, 1922, in London, England
Died: June 25, 2015, in Santa Monica, California
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Macnee was a British-American actor. His nationality is often cited as British due to his birthplace.
Early Life and Background
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Born into an aristocratic family, Macnee's early life was marked by privilege. He was the son of Guy Charles Beaton-Green Macnee, 1st Baronet, and Sheila Fanny Fowler. Macnee attended Eton College before serving in the Royal Navy during World War II. After being injured while on duty, he left the military to pursue acting.
Major Accomplishments
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Macnee's breakout role came when he was cast as John Steed in the British spy comedy series _The Avengers_ (1961-1969). This iconic character cemented his status as a beloved actor. He reprised this role for several spin-offs, including the 1976 film _The New Avengers_. Macnee's extensive television career included appearances on _Columbo_, _Murder, She Wrote_, and _The Love Boat_. His notable performances in film include _A View to a Kill_ (1985), where he played Sir Godfrey Tibbett.
Notable Works or Actions
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Macnee's acting style often incorporated his own flair for the dramatic. He brought an air of sophistication to many of his roles, whether comedic or serious in nature. His performances were frequently cited as memorable and iconic. Macnee was also known for his activism; he was a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and women's empowerment.
Impact and Legacy
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Macnee's impact on popular culture is undeniable. As an actor, he embodied the essence of wit and style in his characters. His influence can be seen in many subsequent actors who have followed in his footsteps. Macnee's commitment to social justice has also left a lasting impression on those involved with LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Patrick Macnee is widely quoted or remembered due to the enduring popularity of _The Avengers_ series and his memorable performances in other television shows and films. His wit, sophistication, and commitment to social justice have cemented his status as a beloved actor and icon of popular culture.
Quotes by Patrick Macnee
Patrick Macnee's insights on:
Until the year 1967, it was a crime, for which you could be put in prison, to make homosexual love to someone in your own house. If they came in and caught you at it, you could be put into prison. This has changed – I’m talking about England, incidentally.
Television has some lovely aspects to it – and some ghastly aspects – but the theater itself was a wonderful invention.
The radio even weren’t allowed to say there was a Holocaust and people were being killed right, left and center in these terrible camps.
Accomplishment is such a patronizing, dangerous word, isn’t it? I haven’t really accomplished anything. The most accomplished thing I’ve done is to have lived this long – 81.
I mean, everyone says Citizen Kane. It isn’t that great, anyway. And Orson Welles I knew well, of course. He made other incredible films that no one would let him make, which were much better than Citizen Kane, really.
I went to acting school, but only for nine months. If you’re an actor, you know, don’t really need to learn how to do it.
The only danger about websites, you know, is people who remember something you did or said thirty or forty years ago, and bring it up against you, so you’re going for a job and you don’t get it.
The strange thing about the English character is that they understate everything. It’s considered bad form to comment on the food, money, romance, any of those things. So you underplay it.
I like most of the Humphrey Bogart movies because they had to act then, and they acted very well. Edward G. Robinson is probably the best actor I’ve ever seen on the movies.
And there was a very famous man called Michael Powell, who probably is the greatest director all round, except possibly a couple of men.