---
name: "John Savident"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-savident"
fi1m_id: "john-savident"
imdb_id: "nm0767644"
tmdb_id: 184881
wikidata_id: "Q6256755"
roles: []
born: "1 January 1938"
died: "21 February 2024"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 82
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-07T11:59:58.287872+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Savident

## Identity

John Savident

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-savident
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-savident
- **IMDb ID:** nm0767644
- **TMDB ID:** 184881
- **Wikidata ID:** Q6256755
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Savident, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6256755, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767644/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/184881

Actor. Born 1 January 1938 in Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK. Died 21 February 2024.

## Details

- **Born:** 1 January 1938, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK
- **Died:** 21 February 2024
- **Active:** 1963–1993
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 84 (2), 1970s 78 (1), 1980s 81 (2), 1990s 88 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 72 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Action & Adventure 2, Comedy 1, Crime 1, History 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $128m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Savident, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6256755, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767644/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/184881

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Yes Minister*](https://film.one/tv/yes-minister.md) (89), [*Callan*](https://film.one/tv/callan.md) (86)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

John Savident was a British actor. Born on 21 January 1938 in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, he died on 21 February 2024 in Hillingdon, London. He began his career in the police force before turning to acting in the mid-1960s, making his professional debut in pantomime.

Savident appeared in numerous stage productions, including originating the role of Monsieur Firmin in the West End production of *The Phantom of the Opera* and performing at the National Theatre. His television credits include appearances in *Callan* (1967) and *Yes Minister* (1980). He gained widespread recognition for playing the butcher Fred Elliott in *Coronation Street* from 1994 to 2006.

His film roles include parts in *A Clockwork Orange* (1971), *Gandhi* (1982), *Hudson Hawk* (1991), *The Remains of the Day* (1993) and *Othello* (1995). He was married to Rona Hopkinson from 1961 until his death; they had two children.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com, thetimes.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Doctor Meredith — [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)
- *Gandhi* (1982), Fi1m 73, as Manager of the Mine — [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *Yes Minister* (1980), Fi1m 89, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/yes-minister.md)
- *A Clockwork Orange* (1971), Fi1m 78, as Conspirator — [page](https://film.one/film/a-clockwork-orange.md)
- *Callan* (1967), Fi1m 86, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/callan.md)
- *Doctor Who* (1963), Fi1m 81, as The Squire — [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md)

## Complete filmography (122)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Blackadder: The Lost Pilot* (2023), as The King
- *Above Suspicion* (2009), series, as Barry Southwood
- *All Over The Shop* (2008), series, Actor
- *Aladdin: The ITV Pantomime* (2000), as Widow Twankey
- *The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders* (1996), series, as Clergyman in Coach
- *Loch Ness* (1996), as Dr Binns
- *Sharpe's Regiment* (1996), as Sir Barstan Maxwell
- *Othello* (1995), as 2nd Senator
- *Tom & Viv* (1994), as Sir Frederick Lamb
- *Heart of Darkness* (1994), as Company Director
- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), as Doctor Meredith — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)
- *Sharpe* (1993), series, as Sir Barstan Maxwell
- *Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris* (1992), as Mr. Armont
- *Brain Donors* (1992), as Edmund Lazlo
- *Duel of Hearts* (1992), as Rev. Adolphus Wantage
- *One Against the Wind* (1991), as Henry Smallwood, American Embasy
- *Mr. Bean Takes an Exam* (1991), Actor
- *Hudson Hawk* (1991), as Auctioneer
- *Impromptu* (1991), as Buloz
- *Parnell & the Englishwoman* (1991), series, as W.E. Forster
- *Jeeves and Wooster* (1990), series, as Chiswick
- *Mountains of the Moon* (1990), as Lord Murchison
- *Camping* (1990), as Engelsktalende tysker
- *A Summer Story* (1988), as Bank Clerk
- *Chelmsford 123* (1988), series, as Jupiter
- *Little Dorrit* (1987), as Tite Barnacle
- *David Copperfield* (1986), series, as Creakle
- *The Marlowe Inquest* (1986), as Sir John Puckering
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Sir John Puckering
- *The Silent Twins* (1986), as Judge
- *Lovejoy* (1986), series, as Cecil
- *This Office Life* (1984), as Copeland
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Chance in a Million* (1984), series, as Derek
- *Fresh Fields* (1984), series, as Mr. Royce
- *The Crystal Cube* (1983), series, as The Bishop of Horley, The Very Reverend Previous Lockhort
- *The Wicked Lady* (1983), as Squire Thornton
- *Gandhi* (1982), as Manager of the Mine — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *Doctor Who: The Visitation* (1982), as The Squire
- *Never the Twain* (1981), series, as Mr. Wilde
- *Private Schulz* (1981), series, as Globke
- *Clapperclaw* (1981), as Dunswick
- *The Chinese Detective* (1981), series, as Don Liddell
- *The Mystery of the Disappearing Schoolgirls* (1980), as King Fortunatus
- *Juliet Bravo* (1980), series, as Ronnie Gore
- *The Day Christ Died* (1980), as Aide to Herod
- *Yes Minister* (1980), series, Actor — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/yes-minister.md)
- *Shelley* (1979), series, Actor
- *Romeo and Juliet* (1978), as Friar John
- *Blake's 7* (1978), series, as Fleet Warden-General Samor, Egrorian
- *The Professionals* (1977), series, as Robert Plumb
- *1990* (1977), series, as Dan Mellor
- *Raffles* (1977), series, Actor
- *The Velvet Glove* (1977), series, as Crawford
- *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1976), as Florian
- *Seal Island* (1976), Actor
- *Trial by Combat* (1976), as Oliver Griggs
- *Our Mutual Friend* (1976), series, as John Podsnap
- *Quiller* (1975), series, as Sir Ian Dalrymple
- *Comedy Premiere* (1975), series, as Mr. Frisby
- *Looking for Clancy* (1975), series, as Sir John Kennan
- *Late Night Drama* (1974), series, as Mr. Cubbins
- *Dial M for Murder* (1974), series, as Conrad
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Dunswick
- *Butley* (1974), Actor
- *Orson Welles' Great Mysteries* (1973), series, as Sir Richard Muir Q.C.
- *Diamonds on Wheels* (1973), as Steward
- *Penny Gold* (1973), as Sir Robert Hampton
- *Warship* (1973), series, Actor
- *Hitler: The Last Ten Days* (1973), as Hewel (uncredited)
- *Colditz* (1972), series, as Capt. Meegeren
- *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Cecil Walker
- *The Adventurer* (1972), series, as Le Consul
- *The Lotus Eaters* (1972), series, as Maj. Constantinos
- *New Scotland Yard* (1972), series, as Rupert Medway
- *Man of Straw* (1972), series, as Von Wulckow
- *Tightrope* (1972), series, as Forrester
- *A Clockwork Orange* (1971), as Conspirator — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/a-clockwork-orange.md)
- *Justice* (1971), series, as Furness
- *The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes* (1971), series, as Sir Arthur Inglewood
- *Brett* (1971), series, Actor
- *Budgie* (1971), series, as Godlove
- *The Raging Moon* (1971), as Fete Guest
- *A Severed Head* (1971), as Wine Taster (uncredited)
- *Waterloo* (1970), as Muffling
- *Codename* (1970), series, as Largo
- *Doomwatch* (1970), series, as The Minister
- *Manhunt* (1970), series, as Raoul
- *Softly Softly: Task Force* (1969), series, as Stackpole
- *In Loving Memory* (1969), series, as Mr. Hargreaves
- *Battle of Britain* (1969), as RAF Officer (uncredited)
- *Department S* (1969), series, as Captain Svenoski
- *The Main Chance* (1969), series, as Donald Jarram
- *Judge Dee* (1969), series, as Sheik Mansur
- *Otley* (1969), as Businessman
- *Two in Clover* (1969), series, as Man
- *Before Winter Comes* (1969), Actor
- *The Merry Widow* (1968), as Kromov
- *Nearest and Dearest* (1968), series, as Landlord
- *Inadmissible Evidence* (1968), as Mr. Watson
- *The White Bus* (1967), as Supporter
- *Man in a Suitcase* (1967), series, Actor
- *Boy Meets Girl* (1967), series, as Bishop
- *Robbery* (1967), as Policeman with Dog (uncredited)
- *Compensation Alice* (1967), as Cecil
- *Callan* (1967), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/callan.md)
- *Sir Arthur Conan Doyle* (1967), series, as Spirit Guardian
- *Mystery and Imagination* (1966), series, as Blount
- *Softly, Softly* (1966), series, Actor
- *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Purishkevich
- *The Troubleshooters* (1965), series, as Francis Pearce
- *Public Eye* (1965), series, as Sven Gustafsson
- *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Hans Von Dorring, Mr. Miller, Mr. Brummitt
- *Doctor Who* (1963), series, as The Squire — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md)
- *The Saint* (1962), series, as Frank Lomax
- *The Avengers* (1961), series, as Winthrop — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-avengers-1961.md)
- *Coronation Street* (1960), series, as Fred Elliott — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/coronation-street.md)
- *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Cecil
- *ITV Play of the Week* (1955), series, as Drawbell
- *Dixon of Dock Green* (1955), series, as Van Heerden
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Steward
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Henry Smallwood

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-savident