Clive Swift
Updated: 12/20/2025, 12:28:17 PM Wikipedia source
Clive Walter Swift (9 February 1936 – 1 February 2019) was an English actor and songwriter. A classically trained actor, his stage work included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, but he was best known to television viewers for his role as Richard Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. He played many other television and film roles.
Infobox
Born
Clive Walter Swift(1936-02-09)9 February 1936Liverpool, England
Died
1 February 2019(2019-02-01) (aged 82)Paddington, London, England
Spouse
mw- Margaret Drabble (m. 1960; div. 1975)
Children
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Relatives
David Swift (brother)
Years active
1962–2017
Medium
Television, film
Tables
· Filmography › Film
2003
Vacuums
Role(s)
AJ Johnson
Notes
AKA: Stealing Bess (video title)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1961 | Johnny Nobody | Courtroom Official | Uncredited role |
| 1965 | Catch Us If You Can | Duffie | |
| 1968 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Snug | |
| 1972 | Frenzy | Johnny Porter | |
| Death Line | Inspector Richardson | ||
| 1973 | The National Health | Ash | |
| Man at the Top | Massey | ||
| 1978 | The Sailor's Return | Reverend Pottock | |
| 1981 | Excalibur | Ector | |
| 1984 | Memed My Hawk | Magistrate | |
| A Passage to India | Major Callendar | ||
| 1988 | Young Toscanini | Comparsa | Uncredited role |
| 1990 | Othello | Brabantio | DVD, re-released 2004 |
| 1997 | Gaston's War | General James | |
| 2003 | Vacuums | AJ Johnson | AKA: Stealing Bess (video title) |
· Filmography › Television
1961
Theatre Night
Role(s)
The King
Notes
Episode: "Ondine"
1963
1966
1968
All's Well That Ends Well
Role(s)
Captain Parolles, a follower of Bertram
Notes
Television film
1969
Canterbury Tales
Role(s)
The Pardoner's Tale First Rioter
Notes
Episode 4: "The Friar's Tale / The Pardoner's Tale"
1970
Adjutant
Role(s)
Series 9; episode 16: "Mad Jack"
Ryan International
Role(s)
Inspector Jenet
Notes
Episode 6: "Evidence of Murder"
1970–1971
Role(s)
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Notes
Inspector Waugh
1971
1972
1973
The Moon Shines Bright on Charlie Chaplin
Role(s)
Captain
Notes
Television film
The Pearcross Girls
Role(s)
Frank Pledger
Notes
Episode 1: "Sweet Julia"
The Frighteners
Role(s)
James Machen
Notes
Episode 11: "The Classroom"
1975
Willow Cabins
Role(s)
Matthew
Notes
Television film
1976
Air Steward
Role(s)
Series 7; episode 7: "Buffet"
Goodbye America
Role(s)
Lord North, the Prime Minister
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Friar Lawrence
Notes
Television film. Also shown across 8 episodes of The English Programme in 1978
Victorian Scandals
Role(s)
William Hepworth-Dixon
Notes
Episode 7: "Beloved"
1977
The Game
Role(s)
Edmund Whitworth
Notes
Television film
BBC2 Play of the Week
Role(s)
Frank
Notes
Series 1; episode 7: "The Kitchen"
1978
Adamson
Role(s)
Series 1; episode 12: "Foreign Affairs"
1979
A Family Affair
Role(s)
Sir Charles Byford
Notes
Mini-series; episode 10: "Finding the Words..."
Role(s)
Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester
Notes
Television film
1980
Director of Austrian State Radio
Role(s)
Series 6; episode 25: "An Ordered Life"
1981
1982
Praying Mantis
Role(s)
Dr. Faure
Notes
Television film
1983
Events in a Museum
Role(s)
Mr. Sloane
1985
Role(s)
Professor Jobel
Notes
Series 22; episodes 12 & 13: "Revelation of the Daleks: Parts 1 & 2"
Black Silk
Role(s)
Oliver Hollingsworth
Notes
Episode 3: "Barrister on Trial"
What Mad Pursuit?
Role(s)
Bonwit Steinhauser
Notes
Television film
1986
1987
Role(s)
Dr. Bartlett
Notes
Series 1; episode 2: "The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn"
1988
Les Girls
Role(s)
Mr. Tobler
Notes
Episode 2: "Spanners"
1989
Laura and Disorder
Role(s)
Barry Page
Notes
Episode 6: "The Metal Detector"
Storyboard
Role(s)
Hewes
Notes
Series 4; episode 4: "Hunted Down"
1990
Tony Doran
Role(s)
Series 2; episodes 1, 2 & 4
Send in the Girls
Role(s)
Mr. Fenton
Notes
Episode 7: "Goosepimples"
1990–1995
Role(s)
Keeping Up Appearances
Notes
Richard Bucket
1991
The War That Never Ends
Role(s)
Athenagoras
Notes
Television film
1993
1997
Role(s)
Mr. Pottersham
Notes
Series 2; episodes 7 & 8: "Five Have a Wonderful Time: Parts 1 & 2"
2002
2002–2005
Role(s)
Born and Bred
Notes
Reverend Eustacius Brewer
2007
2008
Role(s)
Richard Bucket
Notes
Television film (archive footage only)
2009–2010
Role(s)
The Old Guys
Notes
Roy
2010
Role(s)
Real Father Christmas
Notes
Series 1; episode 2: "Chris O'Dowd's Little Cracker: Capturing Santa"
2015
2017
Role(s)
Felix Hope
Notes
Series 19; episode 2: "Crime and Punishment" (final appearance)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1961 | Theatre Night | The King | Episode: "Ondine" |
| 1963 | Love Story | Mervyn | Series 1; episode 11: "Dome Grist from Mervyn's Mill" |
| Compact | Mr. Perrett | Episode 172: "On the Run" | |
| 1965 | Knock on Any Door | Arkwright | Series 1; episode 2: "The Knife" |
| 1966 | Armchair Theatre | The Camp Doctor | Series 6; episode 4: "The Sweet War Man" |
| Public Eye | West | Series 2; episode 11: "There Are More Things in Heaven and Earth" | |
| 1968 | All's Well That Ends Well | Captain Parolles, a follower of Bertram | Television film |
| The Expert | Graham Richards | Series 1; episode 10: "He's Good for It" | |
| 1969 | Dombey and Son | Major Bagstock | Mini-series; 7 episodes |
| Canterbury Tales | The Pardoner's Tale First Rioter | Episode 4: "The Friar's Tale / The Pardoner's Tale" | |
| The Wednesday Play | Neil | Series 8; episode 18: "Birthday" | |
| 1970 | Adjutant | Series 9; episode 16: "Mad Jack" | |
| Ryan International | Inspector Jenet | Episode 6: "Evidence of Murder" | |
| ITV Sunday Night Theatre | Max Fielder | Series 3; episode 5: "Roll on Four O'Clock" | |
| 1970–1971 | Thirty-Minute Theatre | Inspector Waugh | Series 6 (Waugh on Crime); episodes 8–13 |
| 1971 | The Misfit | Gerald | Series 2; episode 5: "On the New Establishment" |
| A Ghost Story for Christmas | Dr. Black | Series 1; episode 1: "The Stalls of Barchester" | |
| 1972 | The Liver Birds | Jim Royle | Series 3; episode 4: "Birds on Strike" |
| Villains | Mr. Clough | Episode 5: "Alice Sheree" | |
| Dead of Night | Dan | Episode 1: "The Exorcism" | |
| A Ghost Story for Christmas | Dr. Black | Series 2; episode 1: "A Warning to the Curious" | |
| 1973 | The Moon Shines Bright on Charlie Chaplin | Captain | Television film |
| The Pearcross Girls | Frank Pledger | Episode 1: "Sweet Julia" | |
| The Frighteners | James Machen | Episode 11: "The Classroom" | |
| 1974 | South Riding | Alfred E. Higgins | Mini-series; 9 episodes |
| 1975 | BBC2 Playhouse | Robbie | Series 2; episode 1: "The Breakthrough" |
| Whodunnit? | Commander Blade | Series 3; episode 7: "Too Many Cooks" | |
| Willow Cabins | Matthew | Television film | |
| Play for Today | Savory | Series 5; episode 14: "Goodbye" | |
| 1976 | Air Steward | Series 7; episode 7: "Buffet" | |
| The Brothers | Griffith Trevelyan | Series 6; episodes 6 & 7: "Tender" & "The Mole" | |
| Goodbye America | Lord North, the Prime Minister | Television film | |
| Clayhanger | Albert Benbow | Recurring role. 10 episodes | |
| Romeo and Juliet | Friar Lawrence | Television film. Also shown across 8 episodes of The English Programme in 1978 | |
| Victorian Scandals | William Hepworth-Dixon | Episode 7: "Beloved" | |
| Beasts | 'Bunny' Nettleton | Mini-series; episode 6: "The Dummy" | |
| 1977 | The Game | Edmund Whitworth | Television film |
| BBC2 Play of the Week | Frank | Series 1; episode 7: "The Kitchen" | |
| 1978 | Adamson | Series 1; episode 12: "Foreign Affairs" | |
| 1990 | Tony Doran | Series 2; episodes 1, 2 & 4 | |
| Jackanory Playhouse | Professor Marvel | Series 6; episode 4: "Big Pete, Little Pete" | |
| Send in the Girls | Mr. Fenton | Episode 7: "Goosepimples" | |
| Shadows | Devine | Series 3; episode 3: "And Now for My Next Trick..." | |
| Bless Me, Father | Fred Dobie | Series 1; episode 5: "Father and Mother" | |
| A Horseman Riding By | Watkins | Episode 6: "1905: The Hollow Victory" | |
| 1979 | Hazell | Neville Fitch | Series 2; episode 1: "Hazell and the Baker Street Sleuth" |
| A Family Affair | Sir Charles Byford | Mini-series; episode 10: "Finding the Words..." | |
| The First Part of King Henry the Forth | Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester | Television film | |
| BBC2 Playhouse | Alec Thorne | Series 6; episode 5: "Home Movies" |
References
- Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2019/02/01/clive-swift-classically-trained-actor-rsc-best-known-television/
- Theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/01/clive-swift-obituary
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/apr/18/david-swift-obituary
- Clive Swift profile, filmreference.com; accessed 12 October 2016.http://www.filmreference.com/film/41/Clive-Swift.html
- "Art Thou Contented, Jew?"http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/31246/art-thou-contented-jew
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/01/clive-swift-obituary?CMP=twt_a-culture_b-gdnculture
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a841841/doctor-who-grumpy-interview-resurfaces-clive-swift/
- "Whatever happened to Keeping Up Appearances' Richard Bucket?"https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/468624/Richard-Bucket-in-Keeping-Up-Appearances-played-by-Clive-Swift
- "Clive Swift, star of Keeping Up Appearances, dies"https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph/20190202/281784220329807
- "The TV legend whose last major role was on tonight's episode of Midsomer Murders"https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/itv-midsomer-murders-late-tv-22006592
- Margaret Drabblehttps://archive.org/details/margaretdrabble00lynn
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/apr/25/rebecca-swift-obituary
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/clive-swift-dead-keeping-up-appearances-actor-died-died-age-bucket-husband-a8758856.html
- HuffPost UKhttps://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/clive-swift-dead-tributes-keeping-up-appearances_uk_5c547eb7e4b09293b203baf3
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47095343
- AllMoviehttps://www.allmovie.com/movie/having-a-wild-weekend-v94436/cast-crew
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- AllMoviehttps://www.allmovie.com/movie/frenzy-v18641/cast-crew
- AllMoviehttps://www.allmovie.com/movie/raw-meat-v107325/cast-crew
- British Comedy Guidehttps://www.comedy.co.uk/people/news/5183/clive_swift_rip/
- BFIhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180810042616/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6be7aa17
- Screenonline.org.ukhttp://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/589461/index.html
- Screenonline.org.ukhttp://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/491054/credits.html
- BFIhttps://web.archive.org/web/20181007204504/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b742f0e86
- Theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/01/clive-swift-obituary
- Letterboxd.comhttps://letterboxd.com/film/young-toscanini/
- BFI Screenonlinehttp://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1184116
- Swapadvd.comhttp://www.swapadvd.com/William-Shakespeare-Othello/dvd/60204/
- BFIhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190202154152/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7e8c1568
- IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0842578/
- British Film Institute Databasehttps://web.archive.org/web/20090601052951/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/487018?view=synopsis
- Theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/01/clive-swift-keeping-up-appearances-actor-dies-aged-82
- Screenonline.org.ukhttp://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1155743/index.html
- British Film Institutehttps://www.bfi.org.uk/features/warning-curious-locations-ghost-story-for-christmas
- TV.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20160924071340/http://www.tv.com/shows/bless-me-father/father-and-mother-176077/
- bufvc.ac.ukhttp://bufvc.ac.uk/dvdfind/index.php/title/9496
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- Trollope Societyhttps://trollopesociety.org/trollope/tv-radio/television/the-barchester-chronicles/
- TVGuide.comhttps://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/clive-swift/credits/189710
- AllMoviehttps://www.allmovie.com/movie/pack-of-lies-v79293/cast-crew
- IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095413/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
- You Got an Ology?
- TVGuide.comhttps://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/heartbeat/cast/343241
- HELLO!https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2019020167330/keeping-up-appearances-actor-clive-swift-dies-aged-82/
- Rottentomatoes.comhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1088984-aristocrats
- BBC Americahttp://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2016/10/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-voyage-of-the-damned
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yskn3
- https://letterboxd.com/film/rosamunde-pilcher-fighting-for-her-family/https://letterboxd.com/film/rosamunde-pilcher-fighting-for-her-family/
- Tvmaze.comhttp://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1009617/midsomer-murders-19x02-crime-and-punishment/cast
- Souvenirs of Chabrier BBC Radio 3 (From Radio Times) accessed 21 December 2024.https://web.archive.org/web/20141030034213/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e4de197357224532bccd1f17d59ae46f
- bufvc.ac.ukhttp://bufvc.ac.uk/shakespeare/index.php/title/av66496
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/radio-programme/e/c887ny/oblomov--episode-1/
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007wp6k
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010t3jw
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- Ahds.rhul.ac.ukhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190203085011/http://www.ahds.rhul.ac.uk/ahdscollections/docroot/shakespeare/performancedetails.do?performanceId=11166
- Filmreference.comhttp://www.filmreference.com/film/41/Clive-Swift.html