Sandy Webster

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Sandy Webster
Born
Alexander Webster

(1923-01-30)30 January 1923
Died22 March 2017(2017-03-22) (aged 94)
Education Queen's University at Kingston
OccupationActor
Years active1950-2000
Organization Canadian Actors' Equity Association
SpouseRuth Marie Fennel
Children3

Alexander (Sandy) Webster (30 January 1923 - 22 March 2017) was a Canadian actor, perhaps best known for his regular supporting role as forensic investigator Dr. Chisholm in the drama television series The Great Detective . [1] [2]

Contents

Background

Born and raised in Fort William, Ontario, [3] he served in the Canadian Air Force during World War II, and subsequently studied at Queen's University. [4] While at Queen's he was involved with campus radio station CFRC-FM, including acting in radio dramas and serving a stint as the station's program director. [5]

Career

He began his career as an actor on stage and in CBC Radio dramas in the 1950s. [1] [3] On one occasion he had to fill in for more established actor Frank Peddie on short notice, but had not had time to prepare or create his own unique characterization in advance — so he simply performed the role as a straight imitation of Peddie's voice and style, and was so convincing that at least one newspaper singled out Peddie's performance for praise. [3]

He was associated most prominently with stage roles, [4] including regular roles at the Shaw Festival since its inception. [6] He notably also originated the role of Wiff Roach in the original Tarragon Theatre production of David French's play Of the Fields, Lately in 1973. [7]

On screen, Webster had roles in theatrical film and television, with frequent performances on CBC Television anthology series such as Encounter also known as General Motors Theatre (1955–61), First Performance (1957, 1958), Festival (1961–66), Performance (1975), and For the Record (1976). He portrayed Dr. Baird in the original 1956 teleplay Flight into Danger , [8] as well as playing a doctor in the 1968 film The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar . [9]

He portrayed Canadian cabinet minister James Ralston in the 1988 television miniseries The King Chronicle , [10] for which he received a Gemini Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Program or Series at the 3rd Gemini Awards in 1988. [11]

He was also active in the Canadian Actors' Equity Association, [12] serving a stint as president of the organization in the 1980s. [13]

Personal life and death

In 1959 Webster married Ruth Marie Fennel, who died in 2015. They had three children. Webster died in Toronto, Ontario of complications from Alzheimer's disease. [1]

Filmography

Sandy Webster film and television credits [1]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1955 Scope Un­known1 episode
1955–1958 On Camera (various)9 episodes
1955–1958Folio(various)3 episodes
1955–1961 Encounter (various)14 episodes. AKA General Motors Theatre
1956 It's the Law Un­known1 episode
1956The CageUn­knownTheatrical short film
1956EncounterDr. BairdEpisode: Flight into Danger (S4.E17) [8]
1957–1958ExplorationsSelf / Red Keller3 episodes. Documentary
1957, 1958 First Performance Un­known2 episodes
1958–1960 The Unforeseen Un­known
1959Lord Elgin: Voice of the PeopleMajor CampbellTheatrical film
1960 Just Mary Un­known
1960 R.C.M.P. Dr. Wright1 episode
1961The Conquest of CobbletownTelevision film
1961–1964 Playdate (various)3 episodes
1961–1966 Festival (various)5 episodes
1962 Scarlett Hill Un­known1 episode
1963–1965 The Forest Rangers (various)3 episodes
1966 Seaway McSorley1 episode
1966 Wojeck Un­known1 episode
1968 The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar DoctorTheatrical Film [9]
1974 Dr. Simon Locke Bartender1 episode. AKA Police Surgeon
1974Running TimePolice CaptainTheatrical film
1974 The National Dream: Building the Impossible Railway Marcus SmithTelevision mini-series
1975 Performance Un­known1 episode
1976 For the Record Un­known1 episode
1977 Who Has Seen the Wind Judge MortimerTheatrical Film
1979 Lost and Found Dr. BryceTheatrical film
1979 The Littlest Hobo Mayor1 episode
1979 King of Kensington Andy1 episode
1979–1982 The Great Detective Dr. Archie Chisholm22 episodes [2]
1980 Nothing Personal Marshal #1Theatrical film
1982, 1983 Hangin' In Ted2 episodes
1987 Blue Monkey Fred AdamsTheatrical film
1988 The King Chronicle James Ralston Television mini-series. Part 3: "Mackenzie King and the Zombie Army" [10]
1989 Street Legal Richard Duguay1 episode
1989C.B.C.'s Magic HourAnnouncerEpisode: "The Rookies" (TV movie)
1990 War of the Worlds Gunther1 episode
1990 Maniac Mansion Mr. Dodsworth1 episode
1991 Katts and Dog Un­known1 episode
1995 A Holiday to Remember Mr. DaveTelevision film
1996 Due South Murray1 episode
1999–2000 Wind at My Back Harmon Drakeford3 episodes

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lentz (III), Harris M. (3 May 2018). Obituaries in the Performing Arts (2017 ed.). McFarland. p. 409. ISBN   9781476633183.
  2. 1 2 "The Great Detective premieres January 17". Telegraph-Journal , January 13, 1979.
  3. 1 2 3 "Webster Used to Coping with Adversity". The Daily Gleaner , May 23, 1990.
  4. 1 2 Andy Pedersen, "Elder Statesman: Sandy Webster has acted on Canadian stages for nearly half a century. He is happy to say there is no end in sight". Halifax Daily News , February 17, 1995.
  5. Eric Arthur Zimmerman, In the Shadow of the Shield: The Development of Wireless Telegraphy and Radio Broadcasting in Kingston and at Queen's University : an Oral and Documentary History, 1902-1957. Ontario Heritage Foundation, 1991. ISBN   9780969557005.
  6. Deirdre Kelly, "Shaw gets a gift for its birthday". The Globe and Mail , July 21, 1986.
  7. John Fraser, "Of the Fields low key but brilliant". The Globe and Mail , October 1, 1973.
  8. 1 2 Nik Havert, The Golden Age of Disaster Cinema: A Guide to the Films, 1950-1979. McFarland & Company, 2019. ISBN   9781476667300. p. 18.
  9. 1 2 "Show Stars Kate Reid". Saint John Times-Globe , August 10, 1968.
  10. 1 2 Tony Atherton, "TV's King compelling portrait". Ottawa Citizen , March 26, 1988.
  11. Henry Mietkiewicz, "Nominated for Canadian TV's best: The Gemini Awards". Toronto Star , October 13, 1988.
  12. Zena Cherry, "Two awards given for service to theatre". The Globe and Mail , March 6, 1979.
  13. "Fusco to serve as Equity president". The Globe and Mail , December 11, 1985.