British Actor To Address University, Community

Actor Michael York will discuss “Rogues and Vagabonds: An Entertainment About Actors And Acting From Past To Present” on Oct. 2 in the CJ Center's Killinger Auditorium.

Actor Michael York, who has more than 60 movie screen credits and 80 television credits during his 42-year career, will discuss “Rogues and Vagabonds: An Entertainment About Actors And Acting From Past To Present” on Monday (Oct. 2), at 7:30 p.m. in the Beto Criminal Justice Center’s Killinger Auditorium.

The British actor joined the National Youth Theatre as a teenager, performing in plays by William Shakespeare in London and Europe before attending Oxford University, where he received a degree in English in 1964.

"Afterwards, I just knew I wouldn't be happy if I didn't give the profession a try," York said in a press release.

York made his film debut, earning his “label as a movie actor,” as Lucentio in Franco Zeffirelli’s production of “The Taming of the Shrew, with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, he said.

He also starred as Tybalt in Zeffirelli’s award-winning "Romeo and Juliet" and played John the Baptist in his landmark "Jesus of Nazareth."

Among York's memorable performances were in Bob Fosse's Oscar-winning "Cabaret" opposite Liza Minnelli; "Something for Everyone" with Angela Lansbury and directed by Hal Prince; the all-star "Murder on the Orient Express" and "The Last Remake of Beau Geste" with Marty Feldman; as D'Artagnan in "The Three Musketeers," as the title character in the sci-fi classic "Logan's Run;" and opposite Burt Lancaster in "The Island of Dr. Moreau." He even played himself in Billy Wilder's "Fedora."

His recent work includes "Borstal Boy," all three "Austin Powers" movies, both “Omega Code" films, and his latest, “Moscow Heat,” which was released in 2005.

York’s television credits include an Emmy-nominated performance in “The Lot,” the HBO comedy series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," a guest character on “The Simpsons” and in the 100th episode of “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” in addition to "The Forsyte Saga," "Great Expectations," "Space," "The Heat of the Day," and "A Knight in Camelot" with Whoopi Goldberg.

Broadway and regional theater credits include "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me," "Bent," the musical of "The Little Prince," "The Crucible,” the world premiere of Tennessee Williams' "Outcry" and the title role in “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

In addition, York has lent his voice for over 70 audio books and narrations; authored and co-authored several lauded books, one of which was a finalist in the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2001; and lectures internationally on Shakespeare, movies, and the history and the art of acting.

His contribution to the profession has been recognized with the award of Britain’s OBE, France's Arts et Lettres and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He and his wife, Pat, a photographer, have made their home in Los Angeles since 1976.

The lecture, hosted by the department of theatre and dance, is open to the public. The event is free for SHSU students, faculty and staff, $10 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens.

In addition, York will teach a master’s class from 10 a.m. to noon on that day, which is also open to the public, in the University Theatre Center’s Mainstage Theatre. Following the class, there will also be a book signing in the UTC.

For more information, call 936.294.1329.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Sept. 26, 2006
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