Alec McCowen, gadget master in ‘Never Say Never Again’, dies aged 91
11-Feb-2017 • Actor News
English actor Alec McCowen, known to James Bond fans for his portrayal of Algernon (a version of ‘Q’) in the 1983 rogue 007 adventure ‘Never Say Never Again’, died at the age of 91 at his London home on Monday 6th February 2017.
“Good to see you Mr. Bond. Things’ve been awfully dull ’round here. I hope we’re going to see some gratuitous sex and violence in this one!”
He was born in Tunbridge Wells on May 26th, 1925 and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He performed in London and New York through the 1950s before joining the Old Vic Company alongside Dame Judi Dench before moving on to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He performed two notable one-man stage shows: one about the writer Rudyard Kipling also went to Broadway in the 1980s, and another where he memorized a large chunk of the New Testament and turned it into an acclaimed performance of ‘St. Mark’s Gospel.’ He performed it around the world, including at the White House for President Jimmy Carter.
Though best known as a stage actor, McCowen appeared in more than twenty dozen films. As well as the gadget-master in , he also memorably played a detective in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Frenzy.’
McCowen’s partner, Geoffrey Burridge, died in 1987. He is survived by his sister and several nieces and nephews.
