Brian Bedford, Star of Grand Prix, Dies

[cosworth151]

British actor Brian Bedford, who played BRM driver Scott Stoddard in the classic racing film Grand Prix, has passed at the age of 80. Known mostly for his long career on the classical stage, Bedford was the only actor/drivers in Grand Prix that couldn't do his own driving. His driving scenes were doubled by F1 WDC Phil Hill with dark goggles & a scarf up over his face.

Some of we older Yanks will remember him for his co-starring role in the shot-lived 60's series Coronet Blue.

R.I.P., Mr. Bedford.

[Jericoke]

Bedford may be British by birth, but he was a corner stone of the stage in Canada, living in Stratford, Ontario (about 2 hours from Toronto, and world famous for their annual Shakespeare festival) and being a key part of the festival for 27 years.

Stratford doesn't often show up in the obituaries of these famous actors, but if you ask any distinguished actor, they will tell you how important to their career appearing in Stratford was, thanks to people like Bedford keeping alive the standards, quality and international acclaim that the festival is known for.

(Also, Robin Hood has always been my favourite Disney cartoon)