Keith Joseph Michell was born on December 1, 1926, and died on November 20, 2015.

He was an Australian actor, best known for his television and film portrayals of King Henry VIII of England.

Keith was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and brought up in Warnertown, near Port Pirie.

He was the son of Joseph, a cabinet-maker, and Alice (née Aslat), and studied at Port Pirie high school, Adelaide Teachers’ College and Adelaide University.

While teaching art, Keith made his first stage appearance, in Bill Daily’s comedy Lover’s Leap at the Playbox theatre in Adelaide in 1947.

After working for the ABC radio network in the city, in 1949 Keith left for Britain and the Old Vic Theatre School.

Keith was married to the actress Jeanette Sterke and they had a son, Paul, and a daughter, Helena, who appeared in the films Prick Up Your Ears and Maurice.

Keith Michell passed away on 20 November 2015 in Chichester, West Sussex, aged 88.