Editing Brian Blessed

{{short description|English actor (born 1936)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Brian Blessed
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|size=100%}}
| image              = Brian Blessed 2012 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Blessed in 2012
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1936|10|9|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Mexborough]], England
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| education          = [[Bristol Old Vic Theatre School]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Actor
* presenter
* writer
* explorer
}}
| years_active       = 1956–present
| works              = [[List of Brian Blessed performances|Filmography]]
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|Ann Bomann|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Hildegarde Neil]]|1978|2023|end=died}}}}
| children           = 2
}}
'''Brian Blessed''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|ɛ|s|ɪ|d}} {{Respell|BLES|id}}; born 9 October 1936) is an English actor. He is known for his distinctive bushy beard, booming voice, and exuberant personality and performances. He portrayed PC "Fancy" Smith in ''[[Z-Cars]]''; [[Augustus]] in the 1976 [[BBC]] television production of ''[[I, Claudius (TV series)|I, Claudius]]''; [[List of Blackadder characters#King Richard IV of England|King Richard IV]] in the [[The Black Adder|first series]] of ''[[Blackadder]]''; [[Prince Vultan]] in ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]''; [[Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats|Bustopher Jones]] and [[Old Deuteronomy]] in the 1981 original London production of ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'' at the [[Gillian Lynne Theatre|New London Theatre]]; [[Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter]], in ''[[Henry V (1989 film)|Henry V]]''; [[Boss Nass]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]''; and the voice of Clayton and the [[Tarzan yell]] in Disney's ''[[Tarzan (1999 film)|Tarzan]]''.

In 2016, Blessed was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) for services to the arts and charity.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

==Early life==
Blessed was born on 9 October 1936 at [[Montagu Hospital]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Blessed|first=Brian|title=The Dynamite Kid|year=1992|publisher=Bloomsbury|location=London|isbn=0-7475-1275-2|edition=1st|page=1|chapter=1}}</ref> in [[Mexborough]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=%2F61cw2GEAYP4cwmdOMP0MQ&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=4 November 2010|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/21354 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301080045/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/21354 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 March 2007 |title=BFI biodata |publisher=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref> the son of William Blessed, a [[socialist]] coal miner at [[Hickleton Main Colliery]] (and himself the son of a coal miner) and cricketer for the [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire second team]],<ref>Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC) – Series 11: 2. Brian Blessed</ref> and Hilda (née Wall). He had a brother Alan, seven years younger, and the pair "went everywhere together" when they were growing up. Alan Blessed died from leukaemia aged 52; their mother died aged 87, and their father died aged 99.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/jan/02/brian-blessed-family-values|title=My family values: Brian Blessed|date=2 January 2010|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Blessed's great-great-grandfather, Jabez Blessed, was the father of 13 children and worked as a china and glass dealer in [[Brigg]], [[Lincolnshire]]; many of Blessed's relatives hail from Brigg.<ref name="ST">{{cite news|url=http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/think-Brian-Blessed-traces-Brigg-Winterton/story-22714610-detail/story.html|title=Who do you think you are? Brian Blessed traces Brigg & Winterton relatives on BBC1 tonight|newspaper=Scunthorpe Telegraph|date=14 August 2014|access-date=15 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814143723/http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/think-Brian-Blessed-traces-Brigg-Winterton/story-22714610-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 August 2014}}</ref>

Blessed went to [[Bolton on Dearne]] Secondary Modern School, and completed his national service in the [[RAF]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Absolute Pandemonium|last=Blessed|first=Brian|publisher=Pan Macmillan|year=2016|isbn=9781447292975|pages=67}}</ref> in [[Bicester]], before enrolling at the [[Bristol Old Vic Theatre School]] in 1956.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 May 1956 |title=Boltonian Will Play Shylock |pages=1 |work=South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002838/19560526/003/0001 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 August 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The International Who's Who 2004|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=9781857432176|page=[https://archive.org/details/internationalwho2004ond/page/176 176]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/internationalwho2004ond/page/176}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=J. B. |date=22 September 1956 |title=Mexborough Theatre Guild: "Wuthering Heights" |pages=25 |work=South Yorkshire Times |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002838/19560922/257/0025 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 August 2023 |quote=...Brian Blessed, off next week to enrol[sic] with the Bristol Old Vic Drama Academy in the first phase in making the stage his professional career... |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>

==Career==
===Acting===
{{Main|List of Brian Blessed performances}}
One of Blessed's earliest roles was that of PC "Fancy" Smith in the [[BBC]] television series ''[[Z-Cars]]'', between 1962 and 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f3c56a1d1bd747fe942a1ea1d39f6ff0 |title=Z Cars: 5: Big Catch – BBC Television – 30 January 1962 |date=30 January 1962 |publisher=[[BBC Genome]]}}</ref> In 1966, he appeared in a production of ''[[Incident at Vichy]]'' at the [[Phoenix Theatre (London)|Phoenix Theatre]] in London. Also in 1966, he was offered the titular role of [[the Doctor]] in BBC's [[Science fiction|sci-fi]] drama, ''[[Doctor Who]]'', to take over from [[William Hartnell]], but had to turn it down due to conflicting projects.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/aug/05/brian-blessed-turned-down-doctor-who-bbc|title=Brian Blessed: I turned down Doctor Who|date=5 August 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=11 November 2018}}</ref> In 1967, he played Porthos in a 10-part BBC adaptation of ''[[The Three Musketeers]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/80ee1436ca7f44ea942296349c236416 |title=The Three Musketeers – BBC One London – 8 January 1967 |date=8 January 1967 |publisher=BBC Genome}}</ref> Blessed also had minor roles in cult TV series such as ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' (1967, 1969) and the original ''[[Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)]]'' (1969). He interpreted the role of King [[Mark of Cornwall]] in the [[ITV Wales & West|HTV]] television series ''[[Arthur of the Britons]]'' (1972–1973). He appeared as William Woodcock in the [[Yorkshire Television]] series ''Boy Dominic'' (1974). He played [[Caesar Augustus]] in the [[BBC Two]] drama series ''[[I, Claudius (TV series)|I, Claudius]]'' (1976),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/114be1caa91c438c92a85fd33d037a9b |title=I, Claudius – BBC Two England – 6 December 1976 |date=6 December 1976 |publisher=BBC Genome}}</ref> Vargas in the ''[[Blake's 7]]'' episode Cygnus Alpha (1978) and Basileos in ''[[The Aphrodite Inheritance]]'' (1979).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/af32c1fb31c84ee1ac59f3ed1a38ac30 |title=The Aphrodite Inheritance – BBC One London – 14 February 1979 |date=14 February 1979 |publisher=BBC Genome}}</ref> He hosted a docudrama on the life of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] called ''The Joy of Bach'' (1978), in which he also played Bach in a number of scenes.

Blessed also appeared in two episodes of the British science fiction television series ''[[Space:1999]]''. He played scientist Dr. Rowland Cabot in the 1975 episode ''[[Death's Other Dominion]]'' and as Mentor in the 1976 episode ''[[The Metamorph]]''.

Blessed played Long John Silver in the 10-part serial ''[[Return to Treasure Island (TV series)|Return to Treasure Island]]'' (1986), King Yrcanos in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serial ''[[Mindwarp]]'' (1986), General Yevlenko in the mini-series ''[[War and Remembrance (miniseries)|War and Remembrance]]'' (1988), and Lord Loxley, the father of [[Robin Hood]], in the Hollywood film ''[[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]]'' (1991).

In 1981, Blessed appeared in [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]'s musical, ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'', as both [[Old Deuteronomy]] and [[Bustopher Jones]], for the original [[West End theatre]] production.<ref name="lawson">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/jan/13/brian-blessed-rosalind-blessed-interview-cats-astronaut|title=Brian Blessed: 'All my life, 90% of men have bored the arse off me'|date=13 January 2020|website=The Guardian|accessdate=1 November 2022}}</ref>

Blessed has appeared in a number of [[Shakespearean]] roles on both stage and screen, including four of the five Shakespeare films directed by [[Kenneth Branagh]]: as the [[Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter|Duke of Exeter]] in ''[[Henry V (1989 film)|Henry V]]'' (1989), Antonio in ''[[Much Ado About Nothing (1993 film)|Much Ado About Nothing]]'' (1993), the [[Ghost (Hamlet)|Ghost of Hamlet's Father]] in ''[[Hamlet (1996 film)|Hamlet]]'' (1996), and both [[Characters in As You Like It#Duke Frederick|Duke Frederick]] and [[Characters in As You Like It#Duke Senior|Duke Senior]] in ''[[As You Like It (2006 film)|As You Like It]]'' (2006).

In comedies, Blessed portrayed [[Prince Vultan]] in the film ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]'' (1980);<ref name=picasso>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/11977486/Brian-Blessed-Picasso-gave-me-a-50m-picture.-I-threw-it-away.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/11977486/Brian-Blessed-Picasso-gave-me-a-50m-picture.-I-threw-it-away.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Brian Blessed: 'Picasso Gave me a £50m picture – I threw it away' |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=8 November 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the mad, comical figure of [[Richard IV of England (Blackadder)|Richard IV]] in the first series of ''[[The Black Adder]]'' (1983), a role Blessed has claimed to be one of his most cherished{{citationneeded|date=June 2024}}; and Spiro Halikiopoulos in the TV mini-series ''[[My Family and Other Animals (TV series)|My Family and Other Animals]]'' (1987), a BBC adaptation of [[Gerald Durrell]]'s [[My Family and Other Animals|book by the same name]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5339326.stm |date=15 September 2006 |title=Gerald Durrell's Lasting Legacy |access-date=5 May 2008 | work=[[BBC News Online]]}}</ref> Blessed has joked that he was due to appear in ''[[Blackadder II]]'' (1986) as [[Elizabeth I]], but was unavailable for filming.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2001/aug/22/climbingholidays.livechats?page=3 |date=22 August 2001 |title=Brian Blessed Web Chat |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=1 September 2008 }}</ref> In 1989, he made an appearance in the comedy/drama ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'', as [[Detective Inspector]] Freddie Dyer of the [[Serious Crime Squad]] in the episode ''The Last Video Show.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.minder.org/episodeguide/S07E04_TheLastVideoShow.htm|title=#7.4 The Last Video Show|website=www.minder.org|access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>

In 1997, Blessed portrayed Squire Western in the [[The History of Tom Jones: a Foundling (TV series)|BBC adaptation]] of [[Henry Fielding]]'s 1749 comic novel ''[[The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling|Tom Jones]]''. He later recalled accidentally punching [[Peter Capaldi]] whilst filming and said of the event, "I thought I'd killed the poor bastard."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-09/the-day-brian-blessed-punched-and-knocked-out-peter-capaldi |date=9 October 2014 |title=The day Brian Blessed punched and knocked out Peter Capaldi |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=2 November 2016}}</ref>

In 1999, Blessed provided both the voice and live-action reference for the [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] character [[Boss Nass]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'', and also provided the voice of the villainous hunter Clayton in Disney's animated feature film ''[[Tarzan (1999 film)|Tarzan]]'', a role he later reprised in the video game based on the film and in the critically acclaimed ''[[Kingdom Hearts (video game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' in 2002; he also did the [[Tarzan yell]] after [[Tony Goldwyn]] was unable to do it himself. He voiced "Sir Morris" in the 1999 cartoon series ''[[The Big Knights]]''. He read the story "The White City" for the album series ''[[Late Night Tales]]'', recording it in four parts released over four albums,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/290589-Brian-Blessed?type=Appearances | title=Brian Blessed discography.| website=[[Discogs]]}}</ref> and was also the voice of [[Jean Valjean]] in [[Focus on the Family]] Radio Theatre's audio adaptation of [[Victor Hugo]]'s ''[[Les Misérables]]''. Blessed was one of the narrators for ''[[Story Teller (Marshall Cavendish)|Story Teller]]'', a children's magazine partwork series in the 1980s. He has further provided vocal links for the [[Sony Radio Academy Awards|Sony-Award]]-winning [[Christian O'Connell]] Breakfast Show on [[Virgin Radio]], and introduced advertisements for [[Orange (telecommunications)|Orange]] mobile phones.

[[Image:Brian Blessed by Offwhitehouse.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Blessed at the [[Cambridge Film Festival]] in 2007]]
In 2002, under the direction of [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] director [[Adrian Noble]], he originated the role of [[Baron Bomburst]] for the stage musical version of ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)|Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]''. From December 2005 to January 2006, Blessed headlined the [[Christmas pantomime]] production of ''[[Peter Pan]]'', alongside [[CBBC]] presenter [[Kirsten O'Brien]], at [[Ipswich]]'s [[Regent Theatre (Ipswich)|Regent Theatre]].{{cn|date=March 2024}} From 2007 to 2008, he appeared in the same play as [[Captain Hook]] at the Grove Theatre in [[Dunstable]]; he reprised the role for the Christmas 2008 season at the [[Fairfield Halls]], [[Croydon]]. For Christmas 2006, he presented a production of ''[[Cinderella]]'' for Virgin Radio, starring [[David Tennant]], [[Thandiwe Newton]] and others.

Since October 2008, Blessed has presented the English-language dub of the Japanese TV game show ''[[Unbeatable Banzuke]]'' on [[Challenge TV|Challenge]], under the pseudonym "Banzuke Brian". He was the narrator of the [[Sky 1]] series ''Crash Test Dummies'', starring [[Steve Marsh (comedian)|Steve Marsh]] and Dan Wright. In animation, he has provided the voices of Bob in ''Kika & Bob'' (2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kikaandbob.com/castandcrew.html|title=KIKA & BOB :: submarine productions|website=www.kikaandbob.com|access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref> and Grampy Rabbit in ''[[Peppa Pig]]'' (2004–present).

In 2009 Blessed starred with his wife, Hildegarde Neil, in the short film Mr Bojagi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1487977/|title=IMDB|website=www.imdb.com|access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>

Following a [[Facebook]] campaign, [[satellite navigation]] manufacturer [[TomTom]] recorded Blessed's voice for use in its products; he has been available as a voice command option since October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wallop |first=Harry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7930644/Brian-Blessed-new-voice-of-TomTom-Sat-Nav.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7930644/Brian-Blessed-new-voice-of-TomTom-Sat-Nav.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Brian Blessed new voice of TomTom Sat Nav
|publisher= Telegraph Media Group Limited |date=6 August 2010 |access-date=19 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In September 2010, Blessed recorded the voice of Great Sultan Shahryār for ''Sheherazade, or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon!'', an album of children's stories set to [[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov]]'s classical music composition ''[[Scheherazade (Rimsky-Korsakov)|Scheherazade]]'', co-starring [[Rory Bremner]] and released as an instalment of ''Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.GrandmaDingley.com |title=''Sheherazade or The Princess, the Pirate and the Baboon!'' &#124; ''Grandma Dingley's Ingeniously Musical Tales'' |publisher=Grandmadingley.com |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>

In 2018, Blessed voiced German military engineer [[Konrad Kyeser]] in the open-world medieval [[Role-playing video game|RPG]], ''[[Kingdom Come: Deliverance]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kingdom Come: Deliverance presents: Brian Blessed as Lord Konrad Kyeser|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWdx0o8mrAY&t=0s|website=YouTube| date=5 May 2017 |publisher=Warhorse Studios|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> He voiced the megalomaniacal Red Ivan in the 2021 base building game ''[[Evil Genius 2: World Domination]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evil Genius 2 Voice Cast Announced Featuring Samantha Bond and Brian Blessed|url=https://gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/378048/EVIL_GENIUS_2_VOICE_CAST_ANNOUNCED_FEATURING_SAMANTHA_BOND__BRIAN_BLESSED.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302173646/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/378048/EVIL_GENIUS_2_VOICE_CAST_ANNOUNCED_FEATURING_SAMANTHA_BOND__BRIAN_BLESSED.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2021|website=Gamasutra|access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>

==Expeditions and Adventures==
[[File:Everestblessings.jpg|thumb|Everest climbers receive [[Tengboche Monastery]]
blessings from Ngawang Tenzing Jangpo. [[Ginette Harrison]], Sir [[David Hempleman-Adams]], Dr [[David Callaway]], Scott McIvor, Lee Nobmann, Brian Blessed.]]
Blessed has attempted to climb [[Mount Everest]] three times without supplemental oxygen,<ref>{{cite news|first=Matt |last=Dickinson |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-matt-dickinson--brian-blessed-6988621.html |title=How We Met: Matt Dickinson and Brian Blessed|work=[[The Independent]] |date= 19 February 2012|access-date=24 April 2013|quote= Dickinson: "But as for going back to Everest with Brian: in truth, he's too old now to try again."}}</ref> reaching heights of {{convert|28,200|ft|m}} in 1993 and {{convert|25,200|ft|m}} in 1996, but without reaching the summit.<ref>{{cite news|first=Charles |last=Arthur |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/blessed-launches-bitter-attack-on-human-lemmings-of-everest-1349787.html |title=Blessed Launches Bitter Attack on 'Human Lemmings' of Everest |work=The Independent|date=30 May 1996|access-date=24 April 2013}}</ref>

Blessed has reached the summits of [[Aconcagua]] in Argentina and [[Kilimanjaro]] in Tanzania,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/theatre-and-comedy/2019/09/06/blessed-are-the-meek-brian-blessed-talks-ahead-of-shrewsbury-show/|title=Blessed are the meek: Brian Blessed talks ahead of Shrewsbury show – Shropshire Star|date=6 September 2019 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> and has undertaken an expedition into the jungles of [[Venezuela]], during which he survived a plane crash.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/things-to-do/weston-s-playhouse-to-host-an-evening-with-brian-blessed-4553728 |title=An Evening with Brian Blessed at Weston's Playhouse Theatre – Weston Mercury |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref>

Blessed is the oldest man to have reached the [[North Magnetic Pole]] on foot,<ref name="guardian03">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2003/jul/29/features11.g23 |title=Why I Love Brian Blessed |first=Leo |last=Benedictus |work=The Guardian |date=29 July 2003 |access-date=5 May 2008 }}</ref> where he says he punched a [[polar bear]] on the nose.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/membership/video/2015/dec/02/did-brian-blessed-really-punch-a-polar-bear-video |title=Did Brian Blessed really punch a polar bear? – video – Stage |work= The Guardian|date=2 December 2015 |access-date=4 December 2020|last1=Blessed |first1=Brian |last2=Morgan |first2=Richie }}</ref>

===Music===
In 2009, Blessed featured in the song "Army of the Damned" from the album ''Beneath the Veiled Embrace'' by British [[power metal]] band [[Pythia (band)|Pythia]], reciting the poem "[[Suicide in the Trenches]]" by [[Siegfried Sassoon]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Blessed also appeared on their 2014 album ''Shadows of a Broken Past''.

He had previously contributed to the song "The Joust" by Christian band [[Eden Burning]] in 1994.<ref>Eden Burning ''Mirth and Matter'' sleeve notes.</ref>

Blessed contributed vocals to the track 'Sonic Attack' on the 2015 Hawkwind album 'Space Ritual Live'.


In 2017, Blessed was featured in "If you remember" music video, singles from British indie band, The Ramona Flowers. As of November 2024, the video had reached over 725,000 views.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramona Flowers – If You Remember | website=[[YouTube]] | date=28 June 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD8VB9nmscE |access-date=17 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=indieisnotagenre.com |date=4 July 2017 |title=Video: The Ramona Flowers — If You Remember |url=https://medium.com/@indieisnotagenre/video-the-ramona-flowers-if-you-remember-c016be142465 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=Medium }}</ref> It is also his first appearance in a music video and called it a "great adventure".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramona Flowers- The making of 'If You Remember' featuring Brian Blessed | website=[[YouTube]] | date=28 June 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNa974Zp1zI |access-date=20 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramona Flowers release video for "If You Remember" starring British acting legend Brian Blessed • WithGuitars |url=https://www.withguitars.com/ramona-flowers-release-video-remember-starring-british-acting-legend-brian-blessed/ |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=www.withguitars.com }}</ref> The music video was directed by [[Roger Sargent (photographer)|Roger Sargent]] and produced by Connor Simmons.

Blessed contributed to the spoken word intro track 'The Prophecy' from [[Saxon (band)]]'s 2024 album [[Hell, Fire and Damnation]].

===Other work===
Blessed has completed 800 hours of space training at [[Star City, Russia|Star City]] in Russia.<ref name=picasso />

Blessed served as President of the [[Television and Radio Industries Club]] (TRIC) from 2007 to 2008 and presented the 2008 [[TRIC Awards]] at [[Grosvenor House]], [[London]].<ref name="dougsoc">{{cite web|url=https://dougsocyork.wordpress.com/committee/|title=DougSoc Committee|access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>

In 2004, Blessed appeared on and won an episode of ''[[Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes]]'', impersonating the opera singer [[Luciano Pavarotti]]. He appeared as an expert and commentator on the satellite channel [[UKTV G2]] during the [[2006 World Cup]]. Blessed also appeared on ''[[A Question of Sport]]'' in 2006 and 2011, and was a guest host on the [[BBC]]'s satirical quiz show ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' in May 2008 and April 2013 (also making a surprise appearance in the 2008 Christmas special).{{cn|date=March 2024}}

[[Downloadable content]] for the computer game ''[[War of the Roses (video game)|War of the Roses]]'' featured narration by Blessed.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/01/war-of-the-roses-details-brian-blessed-dlc-free-content-and-kingmaker-gold-edition/|title=War of the Roses Details Brian Blessed DLC, Free Content and Kingmaker Gold Edition|date=1 February 2013|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> In 2013, he received the Spirit of Hammer Award at the ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' magazine's [[Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards|Golden Gods Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metal-hammer-golden-gods-2013-all-the-winners/ |title=Metal Hammer Golden Gods Winners |date=17 June 2013 |magazine=Metal Hammer |access-date=19 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404203717/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metal-hammer-golden-gods-2013-all-the-winners/ |archive-date=4 April 2014 }}</ref>

On 14 August 2014, Blessed was the subject of an episode of the BBC documentary series ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'', tracing the lives of his ancestors.<ref name="ST"/>

In October 2016 the BBC broadcast a 3-hour compilation of interviews with Blessed, ''Brian Blessed's Radio Adventures'', featuring interviews with him where he discusses his life and career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07y77x3|title=Brian Blessed's Radio Adventures|website=BBC}}</ref>

==Personal life==

In 1963, Blessed, then in his late 20s, assisted a mother giving birth in [[Richmond Park]], London. He delivered the healthy baby girl, then bit through the umbilical cord.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brian Blessed speaks candidly about the day he helped a woman deliver her baby|url=https://www.magicmum.com/brian-blessed-speaks-candidly-about-the-day-he-helped-a-woman-deliver-her-baby/|access-date=26 October 2020|website=MagicMum.com|date=7 October 2015 }}</ref> He later recounted, "I was covered in blood, my shirt was covered in blood, I was wrapping her, wiping her, [saying] 'it's all right, darling'.... And I was licking the baby's face."<ref>{{cite news|first=Sebastian|last=Mann|date=7 October 2015|title=Brian Blessed: I chewed through an umbilical cord while delivering a baby in Richmond Park|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/brian-blessed-i-chewed-through-umbilical-cord-to-deliver-baby-in-richmond-park-a3084591.html|access-date=26 October 2020|newspaper=[[Evening Standard]]}}</ref>

Blessed's first marriage was to the American actress and Egyptologist<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DXVMAAAAYAAJ&q=ann+bomann+actress |title=Country Life |date=1978 |publisher=Country Life, Limited }}</ref> Ann Bomann, whom he met in Bristol. They had a daughter together, Catherine, but later divorced.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=31 July 2023 |title=Brian Blessed: He tells a good tale, and it's all in the delivery |newspaper= [[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/brian-blessed-he-tells-a-good-tale-and-its-all-in-the-delivery-kg8scrbw588 |access-date=1 August 2023 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> Blessed was then married to actress [[Hildegarde Neil]] from 1978 until Neil's death in 2023. Their daughter, Rosalind, is an actress.<ref name="whoswho">{{cite book |title=The International Who's Who 2004: 2004 |last=Sleeman |first=Elizabeth |year=2003 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon, England|isbn=978-1-85743-217-6 |page=176 |edition=67th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9drlYR0YUgAC&q=%22brian+blessed%22+Zimmermann&pg=PA176}}</ref>

Blessed lives in [[Windlesham]], [[Surrey]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/brian-blessed-windlesham-village-shops-24181284 | title= Surrey village with 'excellent shops' where Brian Blessed says the people are lovely | work=SurreyLive | first=David | last=Bradshaw |date=11 June 2022 | access-date=17 August 2024}}</ref> He owns several dogs and is a patron of the charity Pet Respect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://petrespect.org.uk/brian-blessed-obe/|title=Our New Patron, Brian Blessed OBE &#124; Pet Respect|first=Glen|last=Hartley|accessdate=30 October 2022}}</ref> In 2011, he became a patron for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in [[Brentwood, Essex]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hopefield.org.uk/patrons-and-trustees/|title=Hopefield Patrons and Trustees|publisher=Hopefield Animal Sanctuary|access-date=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204174318/http://www.hopefield.org.uk/patrons-and-trustees/|archive-date=4 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Blessed is a black belt in [[judo]].<ref name="Scott 2017 h721">{{cite web | last=Scott | first=Danny | title=My hols: Brian Blessed | website=The Times & The Sunday Times | date=1 July 2017 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/my-hols-brian-blessed-8b7gpsfn2 | access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>

===Health===
Blessed suffered a [[nervous breakdown]] at age 18. He eventually recovered with the support of friends, family, and his speech teacher.<ref>{{cite news| title=The other Brian Blessed|website=Deskarati|url=https://deskarati.com/2011/08/16/the-other-brian-blessed/| date=16 August 2011|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Brian Blessed – My Yorkshire|url=http://my-yorkshire.co.uk/people/brian-blessed.html| access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

On 19 January 2015, Blessed collapsed on stage during a performance of ''[[King Lear]]'' with the Guildford Shakespeare Company, in which his daughter Rosalind was also acting. He received medical attention from a doctor in the audience and returned to the stage to complete the play 20 minutes later.<ref name="BBC News 21 Jan 2015">{{cite news| title= Brian Blessed collapses on stage – but returns to finish show|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30912506| date=21 January 2015| work= BBC News | access-date=21 January 2015}}</ref> On 30 January 2015, it was announced that Blessed had been "compelled to withdraw" from the production on the advice of his heart specialist.<ref name="BBC News 30 January 2015">{{cite web | title= Brian Blessed pulls out of King Lear on doctor's orders |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31066689| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| date= 30 January 2015| website= BBC News | access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> He has been fitted with a [[pacemaker]].<ref name=picasso />

===Honours===
He has [[honorary degree]]s from the [[University of Bradford]] (awarded July 2003) and [[Sheffield Hallam University]] (awarded 2004) and has also been awarded the honorary title of "Official Shoutsperson" by the [[University of York]]'s [[Douglas Adams]] Society.<ref name="dougsoc"/>

In 2011, the student union at the University of York voted to name a new study area the "Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study".<ref>{{cite web |first=Hoagy |last=Davis-Digges |url=http://www.nouse.co.uk/2011/01/25/ugm-sees-highest-voting-numbers-since-2008/ |title=Union General Meeting Sees Highest Voting Numbers Since 2008 |publisher=Nouse.co.uk |date=25 January 2011 |access-date=8 July 2011}}</ref> The same year, Blessed was nominated for the post of [[List of Chancellors of the University of Cambridge|chancellor]] of the [[University of Cambridge]], following a campaign by graduates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-13640487 |title=Brian Blessed Bids to be Cambridge Chancellor |date=3 June 2011 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> He was later awarded Honorary Membership of the [[Cambridge Union]] in recognition of his nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/1007395339324054|title=Brian Blessed {{!}} Week 08 {{!}} Cambridge Union|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

Blessed was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2016 Birthday Honours]] for services to the arts and charity.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61608 |supp=y|page=B11|date=11 June 2016}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
* ''The Turquoise Mountain: Brian Blessed on Everest'' (1991) {{ISBN|9780747510468}}
* ''The Dynamite Kid'' (1992) {{ISBN|9780747512752}}
* ''Nothing's Impossible'' (1994) 
* ''To the Top of the World'' (1995) {{ISBN|9780831732981}}
* ''Quest for the Lost World'' (1999)
* ''Absolute Pandemonium'' (2015) {{ISBN|9781447292975}}
* ''The Panther in My Kitchen: My Wild Life with Animals'' (2017) {{ISBN|9781509841592}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Brian Blessed}}
* {{IMDb name|306}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|brian_blessed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blessed, Brian}}
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