Sir Michael Hordern

Born Michael Murray Hordern, and later knighted to Sir Michael Murray Hordern CBE, Sir Michael Hordern became a recent favorite of mine since two or three years ago. Some of Hordern’s work include the Narrator on the original stop-motion “Paddington Bear” series, the voice of Badger on Cosgrove Hall’s adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows,” and the voice of the Wiseman on Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth.”

Hordern was an interesting actor. His voice has an unusual range to it which worked out quite well for his work. At one point, he took part in 1981 radio adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” where he voiced as Gandalf. He was noted, at that time, the best person to voice as Gandalf.

I have had the privilege to view a movie he was in called, “The Trouble With Spies,” starring Donald Sutherland and Robert Morley. In this, he plays as a man called Jason Locke, who is a local visitor to the inn where Appleton Porter (Sutherland) was staying. He gave an excellent performance and made the character believable.

Sir Michael Hordern fascinates me, and I hope his work will still be remembered.

Sir Michael Hordern: October 3, 1911- May 2, 1995

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