Guy Doleman

Who was Guy Doleman?

Guy Doleman was a New Zealand actor.

During the 1940s and 50s, Doleman was one of the busiest actors in Australia, appearing in the majority of films made there at the time, and being busy on radio, particularly in the drama Hagen's Circus. In 1952 he won a £300 Actor's Choice Award for his performance in the radio drama 'The Coward'. He used this money to go to Hollywood for a film, where he did a bit of television work, then returned to Australia. He eventually moved to London for the 1960s before returning again to Australia. He was cast in Long John Silver but passed on the role because it meant he had to wear contact lenses – Rod Taylor took the part instead.

He is perhaps best known for his role as "Count Lippe" in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, and as "Colonel Ross" in the three film adaptations of Len Deighton's "Harry Palmer" novels, starring Michael Caine, in the 1960s. He also played Number Two in the 1967 TV series The Prisoner. Doleman's was the first of a pair of Number Twos who appeared in the first episode, "Arrival"; the second being played by George Baker.

Guy Doleman died of lung cancer in 1996 in Los Angeles, aged 72.