{{Short description|English actor and opera singer (1931–2021)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Leon Greene | image = Leon-greene-trailer.jpg | image_size = | caption = Greene in the trailer for ''The Devil Rides Out'' (1968) | birth_name = Lenard George Green | birth_date = {{birth date|1931|7|15|df=y}}<ref>GRO Register of Births: SEP 1931 4a 355 WEST HAM – Lenard G. Green, mmn = Ticquet</ref> | birth_place = East Ham, Essex, England<br>{{small|(present-day London, England)}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2021|6|19|1931|7|15|df=y}} | death_place = United Kingdom | spouse = | other_names = | occupation = {{hlist|Singer (bass)|actor}} | years_active = 1965–2001 }}
'''Lenard''' '''George Green''' (15 July 1931 – 19 June 2021), better known as '''Leon Greene''', was an English bass and actor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Anthony |date=2021-07-14 |title=Leon Greene obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/14/leon-greene-obituary |access-date=2023-03-12 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He was known for his work with the D'Oyly Carte Company and the Sadler's Wells Opera, as well as starring roles in several West End musicals. He played Miles Gloriosus in the original London production of ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,'' which he reprised for the 1966 film version. He was also a cast member of three ''Carry On'' films, and for director Richard Lester.
== Early life == Born '''Lenard George Green''' in East Ham, Essex (now in London) in 1931, he was the son of Esther (née Ticquet) and Leonard Green, a crane driver at London docks. During World War II, the family moved to Southend-on-Sea, where he studied engineering at the town’s municipal college, singing in its operatic society.<ref name=":0" />
While doing national service with the Royal Air Force in Hornchurch, he took singing lessons with the Royal Opera House’s chorus master. His break came when he landed the role of an opera singer in a 1952 touring production of ''Das Dreimäderlhaus''.<ref name=":0" />
== Singing career == At the age of 20, Greene joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and sang bass with them for just over a year. After leaving the D'Oyly Carte, he appeared in bass roles for several productions between 1954 and 1963 with the Sadler's Wells Opera.
Among operatic roles were, at Sadler's Wells, one of the three Vagabonds in ''Die Kluge'' in 1959, roles in ''The Nightingale'' and Long Tom in ''Merrie England'' in 1960, Zuniga in ''Carmen'' in 1961, Private Willis in ''Iolanthe'' in 1962 (also recorded), Alaska Wolf Joe in ''The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny'' in 1963, The Cook in ''Love for Three Oranges'' in 1963 (New Opera Company). He sang Lilaque le Fils in ''Boulevard Solitude'' in a New Opera Company production at Sadler's Wells in 1963.<ref>Lade, John. London Opera Diary - Boulevard Solitude - Sadler's Wells, 7 March. ''Opera'', May 1963, Vol. 14 No. 5, p. 343.</ref>
In 1958 he was listed as the Publicity Manager of the London Opera Group, a professional touring opera company directed by Peter Glossop,<ref>Kennedy Melling, John. London Opera Group at Palace Theatre, Westcliff. ''Opera'', May 1958 Vol. 9 No. 5, pp 332-33.</ref> also singing the title role in ''Don Pasquale''.
=== Musical theatre === In 1963, he moved on to musical comedy, appearing in the West End production of ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' as the Roman captain Miles Gloriosus. He then reprised the role for the musical's 1966 film adaptation.
Greene's portrayal of Sweeney Todd in a Half Moon Theatre production in 1985 was described as "the best, grisliest version" in relation to later productions.<ref>Milnes, Rodney. Opera in Britain - Sweeney Todd, Royal Opera at Covent Garden, 15 December. ''Opera'', March 2004, Vol. 55 No. 3, pp 349-52.</ref> He reprised Miles Gloriosus in ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' at Chichester Festival Theatre in the summer of 1986,<ref>Milnes, Rodney. At the Musical - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Chichester Festival Theatre, 13 August. ''Opera'', October 1986, Vol. 37 No. 10, p. 1209.</ref> and the Baron for Scottish Opera and in the award-winning production of ''Candide'' at the Old Vic in 1988–89.<ref>Milnes, Rodney. At the Musical - Candide, Old Vic, 21 December. ''Opera'', March 1989, Vol. 40 No. 3, pp 369-70.</ref>
Beginning in the 1990s, he worked in pantomime, and worked with Lionel Blair to help introduce the genre to Canada.<ref name=":0" />
== Film and television == With his imposing frame and deep voice, Greene had a successful secondary career as a character actor. His films included ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' (1966), reprising Miles Gloriosus; ''Camelot'' (1967), ''A Challenge for Robin Hood'' (also 1967), ''The Devil Rides Out'' (1968), a rare starring role; ''The Squeeze'' (1977), ''Flash Gordon'' (1980), and several ''Carry On'' comedies. He was often cast by director Richard Lester, first in ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum''. On television, he appeared in the 1967 ''The Avengers'' episode "The Superlative Seven" as Freddy Richards.
== Personal life == In 1953, Greene married Jean Percival, who was the long-time supervisor of the Royal Opera House’s headdress and jewellery department.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary: Leon Greene – opera singer and actor |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/obituaries--archive/obituaries/leon-greene--opera-singer-and-actor |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=The Stage |language=En}}</ref>
== Death == Greene died in June 2021, aged 89.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leon Greene obituary |date=2021-07-14 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407063448/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/14/leon-greene-obituary |archive-date=2023-04-07 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/14/leon-greene-obituary}}</ref>
==Partial filmography== {{Div col}} * ''How to Undress in Public Without Undue Embarrassment'' (1965) * ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' (1966) - Captain Miles Gloriosus * ''Don't Lose Your Head'' (1966) - Malabonce * ''Camelot'' (1967) - Sir Turloc (uncredited) * ''A Challenge for Robin Hood'' (1967) - Little John * ''The Devil Rides Out'' (1968) - Rex Van Ryn * ''Assignment to Kill'' (1968) - The Big Man * ''Carry On Henry'' (1971) - Torturer * ''Carry On at Your Convenience'' (1971) - Chef * ''The Persuaders'' (1971) - Abel Gaunt * ''11 Harrowhouse'' (1974) - Max Toland, Jewel Thief * ''The Four Musketeers'' (1974) - Swiss Officer * ''Royal Flash'' (1975) - Grundwig * ''The Ritz'' (1976) - Muscle Bound Patron * ''The Seven-Per-Cent Solution'' (1976) - Squire Holmes * ''Adventures of a Private Eye'' (1977) - Rosco * ''The Squeeze'' (1977) - Commissionaire * ''Adventures of a Plumber's Mate'' (1978) - Biggs * ''The Thief of Baghdad'' (1978) - Jaudur's Guard * ''The Human Factor'' (1979) - Tall Man * ''Flash Gordon'' (1980) - Colonel of Battle Control Room * ''Masada'' (1981, TV Mini-Series) - 1st Centurion * ''The Return of the Musketeers'' (1989) - Captain Groslow {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0338839|Leon Greene}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Greene, Leon}} Category:1931 births Category:2021 deaths Category:20th-century English male opera singers Category:Actors from the London Borough of Newham Category:British basses Category:English musical theatre actors Category:English male stage actors Category:English male film actors Category:English male television actors Category:Male actors from Essex Category:People from East Ham