Biography
Leon Pownall (1943–2006) was a Welsh-Canadian actor and director. Born in Wrexham, Wales, he moved with his family to Hamilton, Ontario, in 1957. He trained at the National Theatre School of Canada but joined the Stratford Festival in 1964, appearing in numerous productions over fifteen seasons, including major Shakespearean roles, and later directing there.
Pownall's film credits include Dead Poets Society (1989), in which he played McAllister. He also appeared in How the West Was Fun (1994), Handel's Last Chance (1996) as the title character, and Dirty Pictures (2000). On television he was seen in series such as Mutant X (as Dr Victor Palance), Slings & Arrows, and The Sleep Room (1998), for which he received a Gemini Award nomination. He wrote and performed the one-man play Do Not Go Gentle about Dylan Thomas.
