Posted by
Sara Shores on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 7:39:07 PM
Sara wants to share that a beloved acquaintance and fine film and television actor, Henry Beckman passed away in Spain this week. He was a huge conservative advocate..one of about 10 in the Motion Picture Industry, sad to say.. We will all miss him..and he leaves a 50 year legacy of fine Acting in the United States and Canada. Rest in peace, Captain Clancy!!...sara and the gang.
HENRY HOW BECKMAN
1921-2008
Henry How Beckman, 86, died June 17th, 2008 in Barcelona, Spain. He was born November 26, 1921 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Recently retired from almost a half-century as a well-known character actor, Henry appeared in hundreds of television shows, films, and commercials in the United States and in Canada. His stints in Canada brought 2 Canadian “Oscar” film awards, known as the ‘Etrog” after the sculptor, and now renamed the “Genie”, in best-supporting actor category, the last in 1978 for “Blood and Guts”.
His best-remembered Hollywood television roles include running parts as Detective Briggs in “The X-Files”, Colonel Harridan in "McHale's Navy”, George Anderson in the infamous “Peyton Place”; but the fans of “Here Come the Brides” have special places in their hearts, as their “Captain Clancy”, in the well-remembered-series, brought the vessels of brides each week to the Seattle wilderness of the 19th century. Much was filmed in the Seattle area, and later Henry and his family moved to Deming, Washington, where they had fabulous wilderness views and country living.
Going back to other popular appearances, some were in “Twilight Zone," "Welcome Back Kotter," "Rockford Files," "Happy Days," "Gunsmoke," "Quincy," "Ironside," "Marcus Welby," "Mannix," "Columbo," "Bewitched," "Monkees," all the way back to the 50’s: "Flash Gordon," "Peter Gunn," all those early “Playhouse“ and “Studio One’s”
Films included “The Man Upstairs” starring Katherine Hepburn in 1992. Henry was the sheriff in one of his best portrayals. Later films include “My Husband’s Secret Life,” ”Lion of Oz,” “Shadow of a Doubt,” “Deadly Justice”, ”Last P.O.W." , "Blood River," etc. He usually played “heavies,” with a great talent for languages and accents. He wrote many film scripts, was a member of the Writer’s Guild of Canada, and Screen Writers Guild of America. His last script was “Hide and Go Kill”. He belonged to SAG, AFTRA, ACTRA and Union of B.C. Players in Canada, and Director’s Guild of Canada.
Along the way, he became Sir Henry Beckman as he was invested as a member of the “Knights Of Malta”, The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of the Americas and Europe, a centuries-old military order. His sons were also admitted.
He entered the Canadian military service, by changing his birth date, before he was 18; served from 1939-1945; and was among the 7% survivors of the Normandy invasion. His theatrical career began soon after.
He had been living his later years in the warm climates of Mallorca and Barcelona, and passed away quietly,with his beloved Hillary, as they watched the ocean in the distance, from his window, starting his last long voyage across the well traveled waters.
He is survived by his family,loving relatives and friends, the faithful fan club of Here Come The Brides, His fellow Knights of Malta.Inurnment will be in St.Peter's Catholic cemetery in Bellingham, Washington, in the family plot.All arrangements by Jones-Mole funeral homes, also in Bellingham. guestbook at www.molesfuneralhomes.com