Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1951-09-11
- Born Place: Wanstead, London, United Kingdom
Deathday:
2020-06-16
John Benfield
John Benfield, born Jonathan Edmund Fulford Turner on November 9, 1951, was a respected British character actor known for his versatile performances across film, television, and stage. Before embarking on his acting career, he worked as an ambulance driver in London and studied history at the University of Nottingham, where he developed a passion for drama. He later trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. To avoid confusion with another actor named John Turner, he adopted the stage name John Benfield, derived from his mother's maiden name.Benfield's career spanned nearly four decades, beginning in 1981 with small parts in BBC drama adaptations. He gained significant recognition for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Kernan, the supportive yet firm boss to Helen Mirren's Detective Jane Tennison in the acclaimed ITV series Prime Suspect (1991-1995). His film credits include collaborations with notable directors such as Ken Loach (Hidden Agenda), Woody Allen (Cassandra's Dream), and the Wachowski Brothers (Speed Racer). He also appeared in films like In the Name of the Father, 101 Dalmatians, Buster, and voiced a character in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018). On stage, he performed in productions like Sam Mendes' Glengarry Glen Ross.Known for his imposing yet soulful presence, Benfield was often cast in "heavy" character roles, both on the right and wrong side of the law, a contrast to his real-life gentle demeanor. He was married to Lilian Lees, and they had one son, Freddie. John Benfield passed away on June 16, 2020, at the age of 68, after a long battle with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
