Richard Leeper McClelland (24 November 1922 – 24 March 2004), known professionally as Richard Leech, was an Irish actor.
Richard Leeper McClelland was born in Dublin, Ireland, the son of Isabella Frances (Leeper) and Herbert Saunderson McClelland, a lawyer. He was educated at Haileybury and Trinity College, Dublin, and qualified as a doctor in 1945. He worked in that profession from 1945–6, then became a full-time actor.
His numerous film credits include The Dam Busters (1955) (playing Dinghy Young), Night of the Demon (1957), Yangtse Incident: The Story of HMS Amethyst (1957), Ice Cold in Alex (1958), Tunes of Glory (1960), Young Winston (1972), Gandhi (1982), and the acclaimed The Shooting Party (1985).
On television Richard Leech appeared in Dickens of London, The Barchester Chronicles, Smiley's People, A Family at War 1971× Wthree episodes of The Avengers in different roles, Redcap, Danger Man, The Doctors, The New Avengers, The Duchess of Duke Street, and starred in a Doctor Who story called The Sun Makers.
He married twice, with Helen Hyslop Uttley and Diane Pearson, and had two children: Sarah-Jane McClelland and Eliza McClelland.
Filmography Film
The Temptress (1949) (film debut) (uncredited) The Cruel Sea (1953) as Sailor (uncredited) Lease of Life (1954) as Carter Children Galore (1955) as Harry Bunnion The Prisoner (1955) as Minor Role (uncredited) The Dam Busters (1955) as Squadron Leader H. M. Young, D.F.C. The Feminine Touch (1956) as Casualty Doctor It's Never Too Late (1956) as John Hammond The Long Arm (1956) as 'Nightwatchman' / Gilson The Iron Petticoat (1956) as Alex Time Without Pity (1957) as Proprietor of Espresso Bar (uncredited) The Good Companions (1957) as Ridvers Yangtse Incident (1957) as Lt. Strain RN These Dangerous Years (1957) as Captain Brewster The Birthday Present (1957) as Hawkins Night of the Demon (1957) as Inspector Mottram Gideon's Day (1958) as Minor Role The Moonraker (1958) as Henry Strangeways The Wind Cannot Read (1958) as Hobson Ice Cold in Alex (1958) as Captain Crosbie A Night to Remember (1958) as First Officer William Murdoch Dublin Nightmare (1958) as Steve Lawlor The Horse's Mouth (1958) as Hodges (uncredited) A Lady Mislaid (1958) as George Tunes of Glory (1960) as Captain Alec Rattray The Terror of the Tongs (1961) as Insp. Bob Dean I Thank a Fool (1962) as Irish Doctor The Wild and the Willing (1962) as Police Inspector The War Lover (1962) as Murika Ricochet (1963) as Alan Phipps The Cracksman (1963) as Detective Sergeant The Flood (1963) as Alec Weathersfield Walk a Tightrope (1964) as Doug Randle Life at the Top (1965) as Doctor The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966) as Phelim O'Toole The Railway Children (1970) as Doctor (voice) Young Winston (1972) as Moore Got It Made (1974) as Dr. Allen The Mirror Crack'd (1980) as Director of Photography (uncredited) Gandhi (1982) as Brigadier Champions (1984) as Beck The Shooting Party (1985) as Dr. West A Handful of Dust (1988) as Doctor (final film role)
Television
Misalliance (1954) as Johnny Tarleton The Third Man (1960) as Inspector Workington One Step Beyond (1961) as Orderly The Avengers (1962-1967) as Various Roles No Hiding Place (1963) as Clive Johnson The Human Jungle (1963) as Captain Maple Danger Man (1965) as Colonel Montes Dixon of Dock Green (1965) as Major Summers Redcap (1966) as Sgt. Cole Public Eye (1966) as Joe Lodge The Saint (1967) as Stewart The Gold Robbers (1969) as Richard Bolt The Doctors (1969-1971) as Dr. Roger Hayman Public Eye (1972) as Summers Special Branch (1973) as Chief Supt. Knight The Gathering Storm (1974) as Admiral Pound Edward the Seventh (1975) as Sir Charles Dilke Bill Brand (1976) as Waverley The Duchess of Duke Street (1976) as Judge The New Avengers (1976) as Craig Terrison Doctor Who (1977) as Gatherer Hade Rooms (1977) as Arthur Hatchett The Enigma Files (1980) as Joby King The Barchester Chronicles (1982) as Wildfrid Thorne I Remember Nelson (1982) as Country Gentleman Smiley's People (1982) as Uncle Harry Lytton's Diary (1986) as Sir Arnold Latham
References
External links
Richard Leech Obituary in The Guardian