{{Short description|British boxer and actor (1928–2013)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Use British English|date=June 2015}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox person | name = Nosher Powell | image = Nosher Powell 2.jpg | birth_name = George Frederick Bernard Powell | birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|08|15|df=yes}} | birth_place = Camberwell, London, England | death_date = {{Death date and age|2013|04|20|1928|08|15|df=yes}} | death_place = London, England | other_names = Frederick Powell | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|Boxer|Stuntman}} | spouse = {{marriage|Pauline Wellman|1951}} | children = 2 sons | years_active = 1944–2000 | known_for = | notable_works = }}
'''George Frederick Bernard Powell''' (15 August 1928 – 20 April 2013),<ref name="awardspace1">{{cite web |url=http://nosherpowell.awardspace.co.uk/ |title=Official Nosher Powell Web-Site |publisher=Nosherpowell.awardspace.co.uk |access-date=2013-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326094507/http://nosherpowell.awardspace.co.uk/ |archive-date=26 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> credited as '''Nosher Powell''', '''Freddie Powell''', or '''Fred Powell''', was an English actor, stuntman and boxer. He is best known for his work in the ''James Bond'' film series, most notably ''From Russia with Love'' (1963).<ref>{{cite web |title=Nosher Powell |url=https://www.bafta.org/heritage/in-memory-of/nosher-powell |website=BAFTA |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=7 May 2013}}</ref>
==Life and career== Powell was born in Camberwell, London, England.<ref name=bfi/> His younger brother, Dennis "Dinny" Powell (1932–2023)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jamesbond007.se/eng/memoriam/dinny_powell_1932_2023 | title=Stunt expert Jon Auty remembers Dinny Powell (1932-2023) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obituaries/112656 | title=Click here to view Dennis's obituary | date=21 November 2023 }}</ref> followed a similar career, acting and stunt co-ordinating many films, as have his sons Greg Powell and Gary Powell.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article6342344.ece "The family who do stunts for James Bond"]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''The Times'', 24 May 2009</ref> Powell was given the nickname of "Nosher" while he served in the army.<ref name=thebaron/> "Nosh" means food in Cockney slang and was given to Powell due to his large physique.<ref name=nosh>{{cite web |last1=R. Coffey |first1=Raymond |title=Film stuntmen don armour to beat recession |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85320504/ |website=The Miami Herald |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=260 |date=6 August 1972|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> He disliked his birth name Frederick or Freddie and chose to use Nosher Powell as his screen name.<ref name=thebaron/>
Powell began his career as a heavyweight boxing champion in the worlds of unlicensed fighting and the professional arena. He also worked as a sparring partner for Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali, amongst others.<ref name=guardian>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/26/nosher-powell|title=Nosher Powell obituary|first=James|last=Morton|date=26 April 2013|website=The Guardian|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> The last fight of his career was against Menzies Johnson in 1960. Powell won the fight on points, over eight rounds.<ref name=guardian/> According to his autobiography, Powell had a total of seventy-eight fights: fifty-one as a professional, with nine losses, though he was never knocked out.<ref>{{cite book|last=Powell|first=Nosher|author2=Hall, William |title = Nosher!|publisher = John Blake Publishing|year = 2001|pages = 93–96|isbn = 1-85782-491-1}}</ref> Boxrec.com, though, lists Powell as losing sixteen times as a professional, with nine of those losses being by KO, two by TKO and five on points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/37597|title=BoxRec: Fred Powell|website=BoxRec|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> Powell's boxing career was ended following injuries he sustained after being hit by a lorry in Covent Garden Market, where he was working as a porter.<ref name=lorry>{{cite web |last1=A. N. |first1=Other |title=Back in business |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85317259/ |website=Evening Standard |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=30 |date=10 October 1961|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> He later became a boxing instructor in Brixton.<ref name=lorry/>
Powell had an extensive but mostly uncredited career in stunt work and acting, including as stuntman in 14 James Bond films.<ref name=bfi>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba1a2f054|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828105236/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba1a2f054|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2018|title=Nosher Powell|website=British Film Institute|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/nosher-powell-boxer-actor-and-bond-stuntman-8591759.html|title=Nosher Powell: Boxer, actor and Bond stuntman|date=29 April 2013|website=The Independent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425025454/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/nosher-powell-boxer-actor-and-bond-stuntman-8591759.html |archive-date=25 April 2017|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> Amongst his TV work was the role of the powerful thug Lord Dorking in ''Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'', in which was first broadcast on 26 October 1969.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Just for the Record|episode-link=Just for the Record (Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased))|series=Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)|series-link=Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)|credits=Jeremy Summers (director), Donald James (writer) |network=ITV|airdate=26 October 1969|series-no=1|number=6}}</ref>
In 1965 he appeared in ''The Saint'' (S4,E3:episode entitled "The Crooked Ring") as 'The Angel' a cheating boxer. The finale has The Angel fighting The Saint in the ring. Simon Templar demonstrates his boxing skills and knocks him out.
In 1966, Powell played a role of a jewel thief Charlie in the series ''The Baron''.<ref name=thebaron>{{cite web |title=Baron faces tough guy on Thursday|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85316243/ |website=South Bend Tribune |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=23 |date=29 January 1966|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref>
In 1967 he appeared in ''The Saint'' (S5,E15:episode entitled "The Persistent Patriots") as Benson a patriot heavy, involved in a plot against the Prime Minister (Edward Woodward) of an African Colony. Once again he comes off worst against Simon Templar.
In 1967 he appeared in ''The Avengers'' episode entitled "Mission ... Highly Improbable" as Henrik with Denny Powell appearing as Karl.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theavengers.tv/forever/peel2-24.htm | title=The Avengers Forever: Mission... Highly Improbable }}</ref>
On 26 April 1972 he was the subject of an episode in the UK version of ''This Is Your Life''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQr06zJAQBA|title=*Audio Only* - This Is Your Life - Fred 'NOSHER' Powell - 26/04/72|date=29 January 2023|via=YouTube}}</ref>
Powell later became the head of a collective of people dressing as medieval knights.<ref name=nosh/><ref name=senlac/> Powell began the projects because of the lack of stunt work resulting from a industry wide recession.<ref name=nosh/> In August 1971, Powell took part in a re-enactment of the battle at Senlac Hill in nylon armour. The event drew a crowd of ten thousand spectators.<ref name=senlac>{{cite web |last1=Stuart |first1=Malcolm |title=Battle of Senlac field |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85315208/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=16 |date=30 August 1971|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> Powell and his group of knights concentrated on medieval practises such as Jousting.<ref name=se>{{cite web |title=Nosher Powell on a long day's journey into knight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85315537/ |website=The San Francisco Examiner |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=54 |date=11 April 1975|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> Powell and fellow stunt man Max Diamond also founded the British Jousting Society.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daring Max Diamond revives British jousting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85317004/ |website=Edmonton Journal |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=35 |date=15 June 1972|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> In 1972, they began a British tour of the tournaments which were staged at Lichfield, Norwich, Edinburgh and the Tower of London. In the performances, Powell went by the character name of "Frederick of Gaywood".<ref name=nosh/> In 1975, Powell took his "Tournament of Knights" tour to the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fitzwalter |first1=Marian |title=New flowering of knighthood spills over from movie epics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85317776/ |website=The San Francisco Examiner |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=215 |date=27 April 1975|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> He promoted his group's tour by walking through San Francisco in a jousting costume.<ref name=se/>
In 1987, Powell played a character who shared his name in the film, ''Eat the Rich''.<ref name=nosherp>{{cite web |last1=Bunke |first1=Joan |title=Consumable, but it's vulgar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85314259/ |website=The Des Moines Register |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=53 |date=8 September 1988|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> Powell was cast in the role by director Peter Richardson. Powell had known Richardson for some years and he wanted a stunt man who was willing to hang out of a helicopter and knew Powell would be willing.<ref name=sydneyherald>{{cite web |last1=Hessey |first1=Ruth |title=Nosher's act is food for thought |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85317450/ |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=14 September 2021 |pages=14 |date=15 December 1988|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> Powell later recalled that he worried the role would be recast if he could not give a good acting performance beyond his stunt work.<ref name=sydneyherald/>
He also acted as a "minder" (bodyguard) for a number of celebrities, including John Paul Getty Jr. and Sammy Davis Jr.<ref name=telegraph>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/10021837/Fred-Nosher-Powell.html|title=Fred ('Nosher') Powell|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=26 April 2013|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref>
==Personal life and death== In 1952 Powell married Pauline Wellman, and the couple had two sons, Greg and Gary, who also grew up to become stuntmen.<ref name=guardian/>
Powell died in his sleep on 20 April 2013 at the age of 84.<ref name="awardspace1"/>
==Filmography== {{Div col|colwidth=26em}} '''Acting credits:''' *''Oliver Twist'' (1948) - Undetermined Minor Role (uncredited) *''There Is Another Sun'' (1951) - Teddy Green *''Emergency Call'' (1952) - Boy Booth *''Cosh Boy'' (1953) - Instructor (uncredited) *''Demetrius and the Gladiators'' (1954) - Gladiator (uncredited) *''The Dark Avenger'' (1955) - (uncredited) *''King's Rhapsody'' (1955) - (uncredited) *''Violent Playground'' (1958) *''The Road to Hong Kong'' (1962) - Man (uncredited) *''Call Me Bwana'' (1963) - Man (uncredited) *''A Shot in the Dark'' (1964) - Man (uncredited) *''A Fistful of Dollars'' (1964) - Cowboy con cartel 'adios amigo' (uncredited) *''She'' (1965) - British Soldier (uncredited) *''The Saint'' (1965) - The Angel *''The Baron'' (1966) - Charlie<ref name=thebaron/> *''Circus of Fear'' (1966) - Red *''The Sandwich Man'' (1966) - Nosher - Bus Driver (uncredited) *''The Saint'' (1967) - Benson *''Casino Royale'' (1967) - British Officer (uncredited) *''Oliver!'' (1968) - Man (uncredited) *''Crooks and Coronets'' (1969) - Casino Security (uncredited) *''School for Sex'' (1969) - Hector *''Crossplot'' (1969) *''The Magic Christian'' (1969) - Ike Jones (uncredited) *''One More Time'' (1970) - Man (uncredited) *''You Can't Win 'Em All'' (1970) - Horse Rider (uncredited) *''Venom'' (aka ''The Legend of Spider Forest'') (1971) - Gang member *''On the Buses'' (1971) - Betty's Husband *''The Alf Garnett Saga'' (1972) - Ginger (uncredited) *''Nearest and Dearest'' (1972) - Bouncer *''The Mackintosh Man'' (1973) - Armed Guard *''Love Thy Neighbour'' (1973) - Bus Driver *''Carry on Dick'' (1974) - Footpad (uncredited) *''Brannigan'' (1975) - Man in Bar (uncredited) *''Never Too Young to Rock'' (1976) *''The Stick Up'' (1977) - Manager *''If You Go Down in the Woods Today'' (1981) - Govnor's Henchman *''Victor Victoria'' (1982) - Man in Bar (uncredited) *''Krull'' (1983) - Slayer in the Swamp (uncredited) *''Eat the Rich'' (1987) - Nosher Powell<ref name=nosherp/> *''Willow'' (1988) - Nelwyn Villager (uncredited) *''Legionnaire'' (1998) - Soldier *''Shiner'' (2000) - Special Character (final film role) {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20130326094507/http://nosherpowell.awardspace.co.uk/}} *{{IMDb name|id=0694118}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183448/http://isbndb.com/d/book/nosher.html ISBN ''Nosher!'' listing]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Nosher}} Category:1928 births Category:2013 deaths Category:20th-century English male actors Category:English male boxers Category:English male film actors Category:English male television actors Category:English stunt performers Category:Heavyweight boxers Category:Male actors from London Category:People from Camberwell Category:Boxers from the London Borough of Southwark Category:Actors from the London Borough of Southwark Category:20th-century English sportsmen