Hemmings, David, 1941-2003

David Edward Leslie Hemmings (18 November 1941 – 3 December 2003) was an English actor, director, and producer of film and television. Originally trained as a boy soprano in operatic roles, he began appearing in films as a child actor in the 1950s. He became an icon of Swinging London for his portrayal of a trendy fashion photographer in the critically acclaimed film Blowup (1966), directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. During the 1960s and 70s, Hemmings played both leading roles and major supporting parts in films like Camelot (1967), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968), Barbarella (also 1968), Alfred the Great (1969), The Walking Stick (1970), Juggernaut (1974), Deep Red (1975), Islands in the Stream (1977), and The Prince and the Pauper (also 1977). In 1967, he co-founded the Hemdale Film Corporation with John Daly. From the late 1970s on, Hemmings appeared mainly in supporting roles, and increasingly as a director. His second feature film, The 14 (1973), won the Silver Bear at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival. He directed the cult horror film The Survivor (1981) in Australia. After moving to the United States in the 1980s, he directed episodes of television series like Magnum, P.I. and The A-Team. He continued acting in major motion pictures, notably Gladiator (2000) and Gangs of New York (2001), until his death in 2003.