{{Short description|British actor (1961–2025)}} {{Use British English|date=March 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Simon Fisher-Becker | image = Simon Fisher-Becker, 2013.jpg | caption = Fisher-Becker in 2013 | birth_date = {{Birth date|1961|11|25|df=y}} | birth_place = [[London]], England | death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|03|09|1961|11|25|df=y}} | death_place = London, England | occupation = Actor | website = {{URL|fisherbecker.com}} }}
'''Simon Fisher-Becker''' (25 November 1961 – 9 March 2025) was a British stage, television and film actor, specialising in comedy and character parts. His notable roles include the [[Hogwarts staff#The Fat Friar|Fat Friar]] in ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', and Dorium Maldovar in [[Doctor Who series 5|series 5]] and [[Doctor Who series 6 |6]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''.
==Career== Simon Fisher-Becker was born 25 November 1961 in London.<ref name=petri>{{cite news|last=Petri|first=Alexandra E.|title=Simon Fisher-Becker, Actor in 'Harry Potter' and 'Doctor Who,' Dies at 63|work=The New York Times|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=10 March 2025|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/arts/simon-fisher-becker-dead.html}}</ref> Raised in [[Ruislip]], in the [[London Borough of Hillingdon]],<ref name=kingsley>{{cite news|last=Kingsley|first=Jackie|title=Simon's One-Man Show!|work=Hayes and Harlington Gazette|date=20 January 1988|page=32}}</ref> he was mostly interested in music as a child<ref name=petri /> and learned to play the clarinet and saxophone.<ref name=kingsley />
His first acting role was as a griffin in a primary school production of ''[[Works based on Alice in Wonderland#Theatre and musicals|Alice in Wonderland]]''.<ref name=cooke /> He discovered he liked acting better after being cast as Mr. Bumble in a school production of ''Oliver Twist'',<ref name=petri /> and studied drama in his [[sixth form]] at [[Northwood School, London|Northwood School]].<ref name=kingsley />
Fisher-Becker worked in the civil service, and for a period of time worked for the [[House of Lords]], the [[upper house]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]].<ref name=kingsley /> After leaving government service,{{Efn|Sources say he resigned<ref name=cooke /> or that he was made [[Redundancy in United Kingdom law|redundant]].<ref name=petri />}} he took a drama course and began to pursue an acting career.<ref name=petri /> While seeking roles, he managed a theatre and worked as a [[human resources]] [[Employment#Independent contractor|independent contractor]].<ref name=kingsley /> In 1975, he joined the Hillingdon Music Centre, later Hillingdon Music Service, which provided Saturday classes for music students at local public schools, and became an assistant warden in 1981.<ref name=kingsley /> He also co-founded the Hillindon Symphony Orchestra and the Second Chance Concert Band, for which he acted as conductor.<ref name=kingsley />
In January 1988, he joined the [[Theatre in education#Difference between Drama in Education and Theatre in Education|Theatre in Education]] project. His group, the GCSE Syllabus Players, went on a six-week national teaching tour in public schools.<ref name=kingsley />
Fond of comedy and music, Fisher-Becker became a versatile [[character actor]], and found work in film, television, and the stage, mostly in small roles.<ref name=petri /> Initially, his work consisted of narration and [[voice-over]].<ref name=kingsley /> He later said he was "given parts because I could make people laugh."<ref name=kingsley /> He appeared in a stage production of [[Edith Sitwell]]'s ''[[Façade (entertainment)|Façade – An Entertainment]]''; ''Tubby the Tuba'', a narrative children's play with orchestral accompaniment; and as [[Peter III of Russia|Peter III]] in a comedy play at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]].<ref name=kingsley /> He had a minor role as a mini-cab driver in a 2006 episode of ''[[Afterlife (TV series)|Afterlife]]'', a supernatural drama.<ref name=petri />
===''Harry Potter''=== In 2000, he was cast as the [[Hogwarts staff#The Fat Friar|Fat Friar]], a friendly ghost, in the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''.<ref name=petri /> He was [[chauffeur]]ed on the set, and sworn to secrecy about the filming.<ref name=cooke /> His character was featured in a ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' photo shoot.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Harry Potter in Vanity Fair |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/photos/2001/10/harry-potter-slide-show-200110?srsltid=AfmBOoq3phfYk6pLSrYegHdFyWbhoyVIM6qASXbitJ60tGuuhY2e4eQo |magazine=Vanity Fair| date=18 November 2010 }}</ref> "I consider myself very lucky to have worked on ''Harry Potter''. It was a brilliant experience," he said, although it was disappointing that most of what he filmed ended up cut from the picture.<ref name=cooke />
===''Doctor Who''=== Fisher-Becker was attacked by three youths at a [[Filling station|petrol station]] in March 2009. His spine was permanently damaged, and he was forced to use a walking stick for the rest of his life.<ref name=cooke /> Recovering from his injuries took time, and forced him to stop working in [[pantomime]].<ref name=petri /><ref name=cooke /> In December 2009, he auditioned for the role of Dorium Maldovar on ''Doctor Who''.<ref name=petri /> He was excited to audition, as he had grown up watching the programme.<ref name=cooke /><ref name=rosario />
Fisher-Becker was to appear in one scene in the episode "[[The Pandorica Opens]]".<ref name=petri /> The character Dorium Maldovar proved to be a fan favorite, and he returned to appear in the episodes "[[A Good Man Goes to War]]" and "[[The Wedding of River Song]]".<ref name=petri />
The popularity of the role led Fisher-Becker to travel all over the world to attend ''Doctor Who'' fan conventions.<ref name=cooke /> During this time, he became good friends with ''Doctor Who'' alumni [[Katy Manning]] and [[John Levene]].<ref name=cooke />
===Other roles=== ''Doctor Who'' transformed his career.<ref name=cooke>{{cite news|last=Cooke|first=Diane|title=How playing one of the Time Lord's most colourful characters transformed the career of actor|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=2 October 2014|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/leisure/11511628.playing-one-time-lords-colourful-characters-transformed-career-actor/}}</ref> He still received minor roles, such as an appearance the ensemble in the "Master of the House" number in the film ''[[Les Misérables (2012 film)|Les Misérables]]'',<ref name="variety">{{cite news |last=Minton |first=Matt |date=10 March 2025 |title=Simon Fisher-Becker, 'Harry Potter' and 'Doctor Who' Actor, Dies at 63 |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/simon-fisher-becker-dead-harry-potter-doctor-who-1236333329/ |accessdate=11 March 2025 |work=Variety}}</ref> but began to get larger roles. He appeared in a 2012 episode of the comedy television programme ''[[Getting On (British TV series)|Getting On]]'' in 2012, and in a 2014 episode of the comedy series ''Puppy Love''.<ref name=variety /> His biggest part, however, was as Dante Harper in 16 episodes of the superhero/crime drama ''Waterside''.<ref name=variety />
In 2015, Fisher-Becker went on tour in Britain with a one-man show, ''My Dalek Has a Puncture'', in which he talked about his life as a jobbing actor and his experiences on ''Doctor Who''.<ref name=cooke />
==Personal life and death== In addition to acting, Fisher-Becker was an author, playwright, and public speaker.<ref name=variety /> He was also a well-known [[Humorist|raconteur]].<ref name=variety />
Simon met Anthony Dugdale, a musician, in 1992. The two married in 2006.<ref name=mandal />
Simon Fisher-Becker died in London on 9 March 2025 at the age of 63.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbloom |first=Alli |date=2025-03-10 |title=Actor Simon Fisher-Becker, known for 'Harry Potter' and 'Doctor Who,' dead at 63 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/10/entertainment/simon-fisher-becker-death/index.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> He is survived by his husband.<ref name=variety />
==Filmography== ===Television=== * ''[[An Ungentlemanly Act]]'' (1992) as Prisoner<ref name=rosario /> * ''[[Hale and Pace#London Weekend Television show|Hale and Pace]]'' (1 episode, 1993) as Rugby Player<ref name=cooke /><ref name=rosario /> * ''[[One Foot in the Grave]]'' (1 episode, 1993) as Magician<ref name=cooke /> * ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' (1 episode, 2001) as Cyril Wilson<ref name=variety /> * ''[[Love Soup]]'' (1 episode, 2005) as Horatio<ref name=comingsoon /> * ''[[Afterlife (TV series)|Afterlife]]'' (1 episode, 2006) as Mini-cab driver<ref name=rosario>{{cite news|last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra|title=Simon Fisher-Becker, British actor known for 'Doctor Who' and 'Harry Potter,' dies at 63|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-03-10/simon-fisher-becker-dead-doctor-who-harry-potter-actor}}</ref> * ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (3 episodes "[[The Pandorica Opens]]", "[[A Good Man Goes to War]]", "[[The Wedding of River Song]]" & a prequel, 2010–2011) as Dorium Maldovar<ref name="spy">{{cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s151/game-of-thrones/news/a341915/doctor-who-actor-simon-fisher-becker-joins-game-of-thrones.html | title='Doctor Who' actor Simon Fisher-Becker joins 'Game of Thrones' | work=[[Digital Spy]] | date=23 September 2011 | accessdate=30 September 2011 | author=Morgan Jeffery}}</ref> * ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' (1 episode, 2011) as himself<ref>{{cite web|title=Doctor Who Confidential Series 6 Episode 7: The Born Identity|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3214cbKzjEw|website=youtube.com|publisher=BBC Three|format=video|date=4 June 2011}}</ref> * ''[[Getting On (British TV series)|Getting On]]'' (ep 3, 2012) as Stephen Ferris<ref name=rosario /> * ''Waterside'' (2012) as Dante Harper<ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Matter Productions - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/c/RedMatterProductions/videos|access-date=27 February 2021|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref name=variety /> * ''Gay Boys'' (2012) as Mr Fitz-Hubbard, The Pope & Malcolm<ref name=dick>{{cite web|last=Dick|first=Jeremy|title=Simon Fisher-Becker, Doctor Who and Harry Potter Actor, Dies at 63|website=MSN.com|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/simon-fisher-becker-doctor-who-and-harry-potter-actor-dies-at-63/ar-AA1AF3ZS?ocid=TobArticle}}</ref> * ''3some Webseries'' (2013) as Roger<ref name=rosario /> * ''Puppy Love'' (2014) as Tony Fazackerley<ref name="tv">{{cite web|title= Simon Fisher-Becker Credits |url= https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/simon-fisher-becker/credits/3000119866/ |work=tvguide.com |access-date= 10 March 2025}}</ref>
===Film=== * ''Arrivederci Millwall'' (1990) as Shop Manager<ref name=comingsoon>{{cite web|last=Adhya|first=Arpita|title=What Happened to Simon Fisher-Becker? Harry Potter Actor Passes Away|website=ComingSoon.net|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1934986-simon-fisher-becker-death-harry-potter-actor-age-63}}</ref><ref name=dick /> * ''Beg!'' (1994) as Dr. Farth<ref name=mandal>{{cite web|last=Mandal|first=Koustav|title=When did Simon Fisher-Becker marry Anthony Dugdale? All we know as husband announces beloved Harry Potter actor's death|website=SoapCentral.com|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/news-when-simon-fisher-becker-marry-anthony-dugdale-all-know-husband-announces-beloved-harry-potter-actor-death}}</ref> * ''Sweet Thing'' (1999) as Klaus<ref name=dick /> * ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' (2001) as the [[Hogwarts staff#The Fat Friar|Fat Friar]]<ref name="tv"/> * ''Chakan, the Forever Man'' (2012) as Ethan Scott<ref name=dick /> * ''Rise of the Euphonious Angel'' (2012) as Dante<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/427821580616036/430096327055228/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity|title=Rise of the Euphonuious Angel Premiere event|website=Facebook }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT7HiYipg6o|title=- YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> * ''[[Les Misérables (2012 film)|Les Misérables]]'' as part of the [[Songs from Les Misérables#Master of the House|"Master of the House"]] ensemble<ref name=petri /> * ''Coveted Desires'' (2016) as Keith's Dad<ref name=mandal /> * ''P.R.O.B.E. Case Files — Vol. 2'' (BBV Productions, 2022) as Sir Andrew Williams<ref>{{cite news |last=Unsworth |first=Martin |date=13 February 2022 |title=P.R.O.B.E Returns to DVD |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/p-r-o-b-e-returns-dvd/ |accessdate=11 March 2025 |work=Starburst Magazine}}</ref>
===Audio=== * ''Doctor Who: The Curse of Sleepy Hollow'' (fan-made production, 2013) as Father Hardwood<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/lordpresidentrassilon/posts/4384780132948?notif_t=feed_comment_reply |title=Facebook |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/events/352086528216758/?fref=ts |title=Ak chcete zobraziť stránku, prihláste sa alebo sa zaregistrujte |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Was Simon Fisher-Becker? Find Out as the Harry Potter Actor Passes Away at 63 |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/who-was-simon-fisher-becker-find-out-as-the-harry-potter-actor-passes-away-at-63-1376718 |website=Pinkvilla |date=10 March 2025 }}</ref> * ''Gallifrey V'' ([[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]], 2013) as Kavil<ref name=dick /> * ''Iris Wildthyme: Series Four'' (episode "Going Down", Big Finish, 2013) as Lift<ref>{{cite news|last=Mensah|first=Katelyn|title=Simon Fisher-Becker, Doctor Who and Harry Potter star, dies aged 63|work=Radio Times|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/simon-fisher-becker-doctor-who-actor-dead-newsupdate/}}</ref> * ''Doctor Who: Tales of Mystery & Imagination'' (2 episodes, Illusionist Productions, 2014) as Mr. Dike<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://illusionistproductions.blogspot.com/2014/01/tales-4-hickory-banes.html|title=Illusionist Productions - The Home of Doctor Who Fan Audio Productions!: Tales of Mystery & Imagination – Episode 4 "Hickory Banes vs the Daleks"|first=Patrick|last=Slee|date=26 January 2014}}</ref>
===Radio=== * ''[[The Hawk Chronicles]]'' (2018–2025) as Agent Tony Simon<ref>{{cite web|last=Anthony|first=P. Ryan|title=British actor who appeared on Cambridge radio show dead at 63|website=CambridgeSpy|date=10 March 2025|accessdate=11 March 2025|url=https://cambridgespy.org/2025/03/10/british-actor-who-appeared-on-cambridge-radio-show-dead-at-63/}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.fisherbecker.com/}} * {{IMDb name|0279839|Simon Fisher-Becker}} * {{discogs artist|Simon Fisher-Becker}}
{{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Fisher-Becker, Simon}} [[Category:1961 births]] [[Category:2025 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century English male actors]] [[Category:21st-century English male actors]] [[Category:English male stage actors]] [[Category:English male television actors]] [[Category:English male film actors]] [[Category:English gay actors]] [[Category:Male actors from London]] [[Category:20th-century English LGBTQ people]] [[Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people]]