US-based trombone & french horn player. Has worked with numerous artists including Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Manhattan Transfer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Natalie Cole and Dave Grusin. He has also released solo material and recorded classical music.
He was an officer in the 7th Battalion The Parachute Regiment. On D-Day this Battalion made contact with Major Howard at the Orne Bridge now called Pegasus Bridge. Todd was the officer who made contact. In the The Longest Day he played Major Howard and the meeting with Todd was one scene. In D-Day the Sixth of June he played the commander of his Battalion in the filming of the same scene.
The Cadbury World museum has a small exhibit about their film unit which reveals a publicity film made in 1940, entitled "Romance in the Making", featured a young Richard Todd. It appears to be a "how we make chocolate" documentary with some sort of romantic plot shoehorned in.
Son, Seamus Palethorpe-Todd, 1977-1997. He committed suicide.
Head of jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1963
In his 1986 autobiography Caught in the Act, Richard Todd recalled that whilst at the Italia Conti School he appeared in the crowd scenes for two Will Hay movies and also in A Yank at Oxford as an extra in the university athletics meeting. He also made a government film called The Gap in 1937.
He was named a Disney Legend in 2002.
Attended the drama school, "The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts" - other actors that have attended Italia Conti include Kelly Brook , Nol Coward , Stephen Manwaring & Martine McCutcheon.
He was a vocal supporter of the British Conservative Party.
In 1997 Seamus Palethorpe-Todd, his son from his second marriage, shot himself in the head. Then on 21 September 2005, Todds eldest son from his first marriage, Peter, killed himself with a shotgun.
In 1970 he founded Triumph Theatre Productions, with which he toured extensively abroad in many plays.
Replaced Richard Basehart in the Broadway production of "The Hasty Heart". His authentic Scottish burr would help him secure the movie role when it transferred to film.
First had ambitions to become a playwright but discovered his love for performing on the stage after helping found the Dundee Repertory Company in Scotland in 1939.
Was Ian Fleming s outright choice to play James "007" Bond in the film Dr. No . Todd had to turn down the role due to scheduling conflicts.
Eldest son Peter committed suicide in 2005 after the deterioration of his marriage.
Has four children: Peter and Flora from his first marriage, and Seumas and Andrew from his second.
He is survived by his daughter, Fiona Todd, from his first marriage and his son, Andrew Todd, from his second marriage.
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1993 Queens New Year Honours List for his services to drama.
In his autobiography states that he became extremely affected after filming the final scene of the Dambusters where his character goes to write letters to the families of the men he has lost, Todd having done this for real in World War II.
Has played a number of TV and Film roles first intended for Trevor Howard.
(May 2008) He laid poppies on the water of Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire, UK, in honor of the 65th anniversary of the "Dambusters" mission in WWII.
Considered for the roles of Dr. Armstong and Sir Percy in Lifeforce .
Was the first Oscar nominee to act in the Doctor Who Series.
Rick grew up in Placentia, California, and attended El Dorado High School.
I let myself become a willing workhorse. The roles were good, bad and,indifferent, but I always gave a part my best shot and tried to enjoy,it.
I have no idea why but acting was in my blood. God knows how I managed,it, but none of it was spilled in the war.
