Picture above: Ian Hendry – an original still from The Southern Star [1969] – which Ian gave to me in 1975.

George Segal – On Working With Ian Hendry

The author of Ian Hendry’s biography – Send In The Clowns, The Yo Yo Life of Ian Hendry – is in prolific form. His latest biography on the life and career of Albert Finney has just been published on January 10th 2017.

See also:

Gabriel Hershman Interview – ‘Strolling Player’ The Life Of Albert Finney

Now he is busy with his latest project, a biography on the much underrated actor, Nicol Williamson, who Ian worked with on the film, The Jerusalem File [1973] – along with Donald Pleasence, Bruce Davison and Daria Haplrin

See also:

The Jerusalem File [1973] – Article on the film

As part of the research, he has just been in touch with actor George Segal who worked with Nicol Williamson on a 1968 TV film version the John Steinbeck novella ‘Of Mice and Men‘ – which tells the story of two ranch workers, one of them simple-minded, who look for work and happiness during the Great Depression, but luck is not on their side.

Picture: George Segal and Ursula Andress – The Southern Star [1969]

A year later in 1969, Segal worked with Ian Hendry whilst making the film, The Southern Star (French title: L’Étoile du sud) a Technicolor British-French comedy crime film directed by Sidney Hayers and also starring Ursula Andress, Orson Welles and Harry Andrews.

The location for the film is French West Africa, when in 1912 an extremely valuable diamond is stolen. It was based on the novel The Vanished Diamond by Jules Verne. The film’s opening scenes were anonymously directed by Orson Welles – the last time he would direct scenes in another director’s film.

George Segal – Quote

As well as providing Gabriel Hershman with a detailed response about working with Nicol Williamson – George Segal also kindly shared his thoughts on working with Ian Hendry:

“….as for Ian he may have tippled a bit off camera but when the red light came on he nailed it each and every time – a consummate actor.”

George Segal – 17th January 2017

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George Segal, Jr. born February 13, 1934 is an American actor and musician. He became popular in the 1960s and 1970s for playing both dramatic and comedic roles. Some of his most acclaimed roles are in films such as Ship of Fools (1965), King Rat (1965), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), Where’s Poppa? (1970), The Hot Rock (1972), Blume in Love (1973), A Touch of Class (1973), California Split (1974), For the Boys (1991), and Flirting with Disaster (1996).

He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and has won two Golden Globe Awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in A Touch of Class.

On television, he is best known for his roles as Jack Gallo on Just Shoot Me! (1997–2003) and as Albert “Pops” Solomon on The Goldbergs (2013–present).

He is also an accomplished banjo player. He has released three albums and has also performed the instrument in several of his acting roles and on late night television.

Stills From The Film – The Southern Star [1969]

If you are reading this George, we wish you well and the very best of health.

Until next time,

Neil Hendry
Editor, Official Tribute To Ian Hendry

Further Reading

A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:

Read: ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman