Benjamin Whitrow was a softly-spoken, RADA-trained English actor who performed on stage from 1959. He worked for seven years in the 1960s under the direction of
Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre. He was also a prolific actor on screen, usually seen in avuncular roles. He is probably best remembered for his BAFTA-nominated performance as Mr. Bennet in the BBC's acclaimed version of
Pride and Prejudice (1995) and he made his final appearance in
Gary Oldman's Churchill film
Darkest Hour (2017). In his personal life, he was fond of wild orchids, golf, bridge and collecting books, and had a son,
Angus Imrie, with actress
Celia Imrie.