Ian Ogilvy

Ian Raymond Ogilvy (born 30 September 1943) is an English film and television actor. He is best known as the star of the TV seriesReturn of The Saint(1978–79), in which he assumed the role ofSimon TemplarfromRoger Moore(1962–69).The role led to his being considered a leading contender for the role ofJames Bondin the early 1980s, when Moore announced his intention to leave the role. He never played the part (in part due to Moore reconsidering his resignation on several occasions), although he did play a Bond-like character in a series of North American TV commercials broadcast in the early 1990s. At least once, in an episode ofKung Fu: The Legend Continues, "Dragon's Wing II", he played a Bond-like British agent, complete with white dinner jacket.He was a friend of film-makerMichael Reevesand starred in all three of Reeves's films:Revenge of the Blood Beast(1966),The Sorcerers (1967),andWitchfinder General (also known asThe Conqueror Worm, 1968). He guest-starred inThe Avengersin the 1968 episode "They Keep Killing Steed" as Baron Von Curt, and on the BBC inSomerset Maugham'sThe Door of Opportunity, oppositeMarianne Faithfull.He appeared in the films Stranger in the House(1967), and The Day the Fish Came Out(1967), and had a major role in the epic filmWaterloo (1970).In 1976, he featured in the pilot episode of the television comedy seriesRipping Yarns. He also appeared inI, Claudius(1976, asDrusus), and guest-starred in 6 episodes ofMurder, She Wroteand 4 episodes ofDiagnosis Murder. He appeared as Edgar Linton in a film version ofWuthering Heights(1970) and as Owen Gereth in BBC dramatization ofThe Spoils of Poynton(also 1970).In the 1990s, he guest-starred in the TV seriesBabylon 5 (1998).The series' star, Bruce Boxleitner, is the former husband of Ogilvy's second wife, actress Kathryn Holcomb. He also had a role in the short-lived 1990s American soap opera,Malibu Shores. He appeared asLawrence Kirbridge in the seriesUpstairs, Downstairs. He's had roles in over 100 TV shows, often appearing as a guest star. He then co-starred withMeryl StreepandGoldie HawninDeath Becomes Her (1992);and with Richard DreyfussandNia VardalosinMy Life in Ruins(2009), among others.He has had an extensive career in the theatre playing leading roles in manyLondon West Endproductions, includingDesign for Living,Happy Family,Three Sisters, Rookery NookbyBen Travers,Run for Your Wife,The Millionaires byShaw,The Waltz of the Toreadors, and others. He has also worked widely in the American theatre.He is a playwright and novelist, currently working on a series of children's books: Measle and the Wrathmonk,Measle and the Dragodon,Measle and the Mallockee, Measle and the Slitherghoul, andMeasle and the Doompit. He has written and published two novels–Loose ChippingsandThe Polkerton Giant– and two plays:A Slight HangoverandSwap!. His memoir,Once a Saint, was published in May 2016. His book of film reviews 'Withering Slights', based on his Facebook page, was published in 2020.