Don Henderson
Biography
Born Donald Francis Henderson in Leystonstone, 1931, Don Henderson was an English actor of stage, television and screen. He was best known for playing both "tough guy" roles and authority figures, and is remembered for his portrayal of detective George Bulman between 1976 and 1987 in a trilogy of popular Granada Television police drama series; The XYY Man, Strangers, and Bulman. Following the end of Bulman, Henderson starred as the priest Frank Kane in the BBC drama series The Paradise Club, penned by Bulman creator Murray Smith. Henderson starred in several cult and sci fi serials and films, most notably in the first Star Wars movie in which he played General Tagge, and Doctor Who and Red Dwarf. Prior to acting, Henderson was a dental technician in the army and a detective sergeant in the Essex constabulary, but he resigned when he found he had sympathy for the criminals he was obliged to arrest. He was married twice, firstly to Hilary who died in 1977, and then to the actress Shirley Stelfox, whom he met filming The XYY Man. The pair set up home in Stratford-Upon-Avon and appeared together professionally many times until his death from throat cancer in 1997.
Movie Appearances
Star Wars
as General Taggi
1977
The Island
as Rollo
1980
The Trial
as The Flogger
1993
The Ghoul
as The Ghoul
1975
White Angel
as Inspector Taylor
1994
As You Like It
as The Dukes
1992
Footsteps
as Policeman
1974
The Secret World of Polly Flint
as Old Mazy
1987
Miss Queencake
1991
The Big Sleep
as Lou
1978
Black and Blue
as Daddy Brett-Smith
1992
Preaching to the Perverted
as Commander Cope
1997
No Escape
as Killian
1994
Tank Malling
as Percy
1989
The Littlest Horse Thieves
1976
Danton's Death
as Mercier
1978
Pat and Margaret
as Billy
1994
The Baby of Mâcon
as The Father Confessor
1993
Murder Elite
as Sgt Jessop
1985
The Finishing Line
1977
