Richard O'Callaghan (born Richard Brooke; 7 March 1940) is an English character actor.
He is the son of actors Patricia Hayes and Valentine Brooke, whose stage name was Valentine Rooke. As a boy actor he was known as Richard Brooke. He has led a versatile career in film, stage and television in a wide range of roles. He is best known for his roles in the bawdy British comedy films Carry On Loving (1970) and Carry On At Your Convenience (1971).
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Career
During the 1950s, O'Callaghan began working as a child actor in theatre and radio, where at the time he was credited under his birth name.
His first major television role was as Richard Doherty in the 13-part childrens series The Flower of Gloster, loosely based on the novel by E. Temple Thurston. Produced by Granada Television, it was the company's first TV series to be filmed in colour.
O' Callaghan has played a number of supporting roles in various TV series including Z Cars, Public Eye, New Scotland Yard, Churchill's People, Two's Company, Mr. Pye, Imaginary Friends, Hannay, Spatz, Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, Dalziel and Pascoe, Casualty, The Afternoon Play and New Tricks.
Between 1978 to 1980, he played Stephen Benge in the comedy drama series Born and Bred, which focused on two South London families, the Benges and Tonselys, who struggle to get along.
In 1989, he appeared with his mother Patricia Hayes in the Boon episode "The Rise of Fall of the Bowman Empire", where he played ex-convict Cecil Bowman and Hayes played his mother Elsepth respectively.
He regularly appeared as ageing metal head Bobby Sykes in the crime-drama series McCallum.
O' Callaghan has appeared in two episodes of Red Dwarf, he played The Creator in "Back to Earth Part 3", and in the following series, he played Hoguey the Rogey in the Series X finale "The Beginning".
Personal life
In 1991, O' Callaghan married American actress Elizabeth Quinn.
Filmography
Theatre
Dirty Linen (1976); Almost Free Theatre
Brimstone and Treacle (1979); Open Space Theatre
Amadeus (1981); Her Majesty's Theatre, London
The Happiest Days of Your Life (1984); Barbican Theatre, London
The Magistrate (2000); Royal Exchange, Manchester
Educating Rita (2002; UK tour)
1605 (2005); Chichester Festival Theatre
King Lear (2005); Chichester Festival Theatre
Titus Andronicus (2006; as Marcus Andronicus); Shakespeare's Globe
The Last Confession (2007); Chichester Festival Theatre/Theatre Royal, Haymarket
Twelfth Night (2008; as Malvolio); Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park
The Story of Vasco (2009; as Caesar); Orange Tree Theatre
Haunting Julia (2011; as Joe Lukin); Riverside Studios, Hammersmith
The Last Confession (2014; World tour)
The Importance of Being Earnest (2015);(Vaudeville Theatre)
Radio credits
Murder Must Advertise (1979, BBC Radio) - Mr Willis
The Lord of the Rings (1981, BBC Radio) - Meriadoc Brandybuck
Have His Carcase (1981, BBC Radio) - Julian Perkins
Patterson (1981, BBC Radio) - Cuthbertson
