Frederick Treves

Last updated 09 January 2020

Frederick Treves (1925-2012)
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Frederick William Treves

Born: Tuesday 29th December 1925
Died: Monday 30th January 2012 (age: 86)

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Frederick Treves BEM, born in MargateKent was an English character actor with an extensive repertoire, specialising in avuncular military and titled types.

During World War II he served in the Merchant Navy. On his first voyage his ship, the freighter Waimarama, was involved in the Operation Pedestal Convoy toMalta. The Waimarama was sunk on August 13, 1942, and Treves helped save several of his shipmates, including the only ships' officer to survive the sinking, 3rd Wireless Operator John Jackson. Treves, then 17 years old, received the British Empire Medal and the Lloyd's War Medal for his actions. After the War he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Treves was the great nephew of Frederick Treves, the surgeon who became famous for discovering Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man". In the David Lynch filmThe Elephant Man, the surgeon is played by Anthony Hopkins and Treves himself appeared in the character of 'Alderman'.

His over a hundred television credits included roles in The CazaletsThe Jewel in the CrownA Dance to the Music of TimeThe Politician's WifeTo Play the KingLipstick on Your CollarBomber HarrisTrevor Griffiths' version of The Cherry OrchardDavid Edgar's DestinyThe Naked Civil Servant and The Railway Children.

Treves also guested in many continuing dramas, such as Rosemary & ThymeMonarch of the GlenThe BillThe New Adventures of Black BeautySilent WitnessKavanagh QCJeeves and WoosterInspector MorseAgatha Christie's PoirotLovejoyYes, Prime MinisterBergeracMidsomer MurdersFollyfoot,Miss MarpleMinderZ-CarsThe AvengersDoomwatch and in the Doctor Who story Meglos.

His films included: Paper MaskDefence of the RealmSunshineMad Dogs and EnglishmenAfraid of the DarkA Flame to the PhoenixNighthawksThe Elephant Man and Sweeney 2.

As well as screen appearances, he also had a wide stage and radio career, and appeared with the National Theatre from the late-70s in David Hare's Plenty,Bernard Shaw's The PhilandererArnold Wesker's CaritasEugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh, and two Shakespeares - Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing(1981) and Menenius in Coriolanus (1984).

His eldest son is the actor Simon Treves.

Biography from the Wikipedia article, licensed under CC-BY-SA