This Is Your Life: Edward Woodward 2

Edward WOODWARD OBE (1930-2009)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Edward Woodward, actor, was surprised by Michael Aspel during a photo shoot for a new costume drama at Syon House in west London.

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Edward spent the first part of his career predominately in the theatre, although he achieved national fame on television through his title role in the highly successful ITV spy drama Callan, which ran for four series between 1967 and 1972.

He starred in the 1973 cult British horror film The Wicker Man, and in the title role of the highly acclaimed 1980 Australian biographical drama Breaker Morant. Between 1985 and 1989 he starred as an ex-secret agent and vigilante in the American television series The Equalizer, winning the 1986 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Drama Actor.

Edward Woodward was a subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions – previously surprised by Eamonn Andrews in January 1971 in the bar of London's White House Hotel.

"Michael Aspel - as I live and breathe!"

programme details...

Edition No: 906
Subject No: second timer
Broadcast date: Wed 1 Feb 1995
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Mon 9 Jan 1995
Venue: Teddington Studios
Series: 35
Edition: 14
Code name: Dust

on the guest list...

Sarah - daughter
Tim - son
Peter - son
Emily Beth - daughter
Michele Dotrice - wife
Roy Hudd
Tim Healy
Frank Finlay
Roy Dotrice
Anthony Valentine
Robert Hardy
Christopher Lee
Michael Sloan
Bruce Beresford
Judi Dench
Anthony Newley

production team...

Researcher: Elizabeth Ross
Writer: Simon Booker
Director: Brian Klein
Associate Producer: John Graham
Executive Producer: Peter Estall
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Edward Woodward

first 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

Michele Dotrice, actress and wife of Edward Woodward, recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in an exclusive interview recorded in March 2013

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 9th January 1995 at Teddington Studios, Woodward became a guest on This is Your Life, second time around, having been previously honoured in 1971. This time it was Michael Aspel who surprised a shocked Woodward, "Michael Aspel, as I live and breathe!" Participants on this show included all his children, Sarah, Tim, Peter and Emily Beth, his wife, Michele, and friends Roy Hudd, Tim Healy, Frank Finlay, Roy Dotrice, Anthony Valentine, Robert Hardy, Christopher Lee, Michael Sloan, Bruce Beresford, and there was a filmed tribute from Judi Dench. Anthony Newley also filmed a tribute but it was not shown in the TV broadcast.

Michele had been organiser-in-chief behind the scenes for the show and later said, "It was a bit tricky for me when I was asked, I thought 'how are they going to do this, he's already been done.' But I was thrilled to bits and knew he would be too. Edward loved anything like that. He loved it and he was the most gullible person you could meet in life. So I knew they wouldn't have a problem gelling him. I thought, 'yes, this will be lovely.'"

"His career had become so international with his American exposure. And also the marvellous films he had done, Breaker Morant and The Wicker Man. I thought I would really love this to happen for him."

"They were doing a photo shoot for the thing he was doing at the time, House of Angelo, with the family. Michael Aspel arrived in full frock coat and tricorn costume, in a coach and horses. Edward was a bit confused, trying to put it all together. His brain was going berserk and he was genuinely lost for words."

"You know he was a wordsmith, he really was and he was never lost for words. But you can see it in his face, he is totally bewildered."

"His children were all around him. The thing is, with This Is Your Life, they like a lot of big stars and Edward and I didn't know many big names. So when they suggested people like Christopher Lee, I thought that would be nice, but they weren't bosom buddies. You know they worked together, but that was it. They also mentioned Frank Finlay and he'd known Edward forever. He was a dear friend."

"People like my dad. Daddy came on and had a ball with him. They had a lovely time together. And dear Roy Hudd, who was very much part of his childhood. And Judi Dench, who goes way back with Edward and is a darling person."

"I thought it would be lovely for him, and he loved, loved, loved Judi. There was also the writer of The Equalizer, Michael Sloan and Bruce Beresford, who did Breaker Morant, came over from Australia."

"Edward felt surrounded by a lot of love. We really felt that. It was a really happy occasion. Edward was a great raconteur; in fact he used to say, 'I bore myself to death. You must stop me from talking darling, because I just don't stop.' He was in his element as people came on and said, 'Do you remember so and so?'"

"He was always gracious. Always delighted to see people, and loved to chat. He liked a good natter with everybody. He wasn't full of glory and was bemused by all the attention."

Series 35 subjects