Exec, Producer, also credited for Liner Notes. In 1968 he launched Black Lion Records in London.
Patron of The Actors Centre, Covent Garden, London from 1994 until his death in 2003 (previous Patrons: Lord Laurence Olivier , Sir Alec Guinness ).
Theatre Awards: 2002: Best Actor Tony and Drama Desk, for "Fortunes Fool;" 2000, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award for "Unexpected Man;" 1983 Variety Club Award for "A Patriot for Me;" 1975 Variety Club Award for "Otherwise Engaged;" 1971 Evening Standard Best Actor Award for "Butley;" 1972 Best Actor Tony for "Butley;" 1959 Clarence Derwent Award for "A Long Days Journey Into Night"
He was created a Knight Bachelor in the 2003 Queens New Years Honours List for his services to Drama.
Had twin sons, Benedick Bates and Tristan. In 1990, Tristan died of an asthma attack in Tokyo. Two years later, his wife, Victoria, also passed away.
Eldest of three brothers from an artistic family: his two brothers are artists, his father was a fine cellist, and his mother a pianist who had studied in Paris. His father supported the family by working in the insurance business.
He was awarded the CBE in the 1995 Queens Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.
Grief-stricken following the death of their son Tristan, Alans wife, the actress and model Victoria Ward, died from a suspected heart attack, following a wasting disease similar to anorexia, in 1992.
He had one granddaughter, Chatto Bates.
In 1969, along with Oliver Reed became the first actor to do frontal nudity in a major studio motion picture, in Ken Russell s Women in Love .
He was an Associate Member of RADA.
Won two Tony Awards for his only two nominations: in 1973, as Best Actor for "Butley," a performance he recreated in the film version of the same name, Butley , and in 2002, as Best Actor (Play) for "Fortunes Fool.".
His companion and lover towards the end of his life was his lifelong friend, actress Joanna Pettet , his co-star in 1964s Broadway play "Poor Richard". They split their time both in New York and London.
Worked for the Padded Wagon Moving Co. in the early 60s while acting at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York City.
Handpicked by director John Schlesinger to star in the film Sunday Bloody Sunday in the role of Dr. Daniel Hirsh. Even though he wanted the part very much, Bates was held up filming The Go-Between for director Joseph Losey and also became a father around that time, so he had to pass on the project, with regrets. The part then went first to Ian Bannen who balked and was fired and then to Peter Finch , who earned an Academy Award nomination.
On the shortlist for the male lead Arthur Parker in "Pennies from Heaven" .
In the early 1970s, he financed a very small film entitled "Second Best", adapted from a short story by D.H. Lawrence. The film was made on location in Derbyshire with a cast of just three actors and was directed by Stephen Dartnell. Bates also played the smallest of the three acting roles; the other two roles were taken by his wife, Victoria Ward, and Annette Widowson. The film was first shown on television and later was (for a brief period) made available on home video in the 1980s.
Although he played Roger Livesey s grandson in The Entertainer , he was only 28 years his junior in real life.
According to Malcolm McDowell in the documentary Never Apologize , Bates often wore scarves in later life (on and off screen) because he was self-conscious about his double chin.
Suffered a stroke in 2003.
I think all plays should be filmed. I think we should forget about this,division of cinema and theatre. I think any sort of great production,should be filmed, just for the future if for nothing else.
It can happen that two people can love each other and not be able to get,on at all.
