Editing Gary Olsen

{{Short description|English actor (1957–2000)}}
{{distinguish|Gary Olson (disambiguation){{!}}Gary Olson}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Gary Olsen
| birth_name    = Gary Kenneth Grant
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|df=y|1957|11|03}} 
| birth_place   = [[Westminster]], London, England
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|df=y|2000|09|12|1957|11|03}}
| death_place   = [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia
| occupation    = Actor
| years_active  = 1979–2000
| spouse        = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Mo Hayder|Candy Davis]]|1985|1990|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Jane Anthony<br>|1991}}
}}
| children      = 2
}}

'''Gary Olsen''' (born '''Gary Kenneth Grant'''; 3 November 1957 &ndash; 12 September 2000) was an English actor. He played Ben Porter on the BBC television [[sitcom]] ''[[2point4 Children]]'' from 1991 to 1999.

==Biography==
Olsen was born in [[London]] and lived with an aunt and uncle after both his parents, Patricia and Kenny, died when he was young. He attended the [[Archbishop Tenison's Church of England School]] in [[Kennington]]. After school he joined various junior stage groups and toured with fringe theatrical companies, such as Incubus and Lumiere and Son, until late 1976. At this point he immersed himself in the [[punk rock]] scene as lead vocalist with the band Swank (alongside future members of [[the Lurkers]], [[Chelsea (band)|Chelsea]], and [[Cuddly Toys]])<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.boredteenagers.co.uk/SWANK.htm |title=Swank |first=Joe |last=Public |date=2007 |website=Bored Teenagers}}</ref> until returning to theatre in 1978. Later he helped develop the musical production ''[[Up on the Roof (musical)|Up on the Roof]]'', in which he starred in 1987 at London's Donmar and [[Apollo Theatre|Apollo]] theatres.

He made his screen debut in 1979 as [[Rory Storm]] in ''[[Birth of The Beatles]]'', and appeared in numerous British films and [[television]] programmes. He played PC Dave Litten in the first series of ''[[The Bill]]'', but achieved mainstream success only with the role of Ben in the [[sitcom]] ''[[2point4 Children]]'' (1991–1999). He played a starring film role as Arthur Hoyle alongside [[Samantha Womack|Samantha Janus]] and [[Neil Morrissey]] in the [[rugby league]] comedy, ''[[Up 'n' Under (film)|Up 'n' Under]]''. He appeared in many TV adverts, including a 1996 [[National Westminster Bank]] advertising campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 January 2021 |title=1997 Tyne Tees (ITV) adverts |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFfarlrSEzY |website=YouTube}}</ref>

In addition to his screen appearances he made numerous stage appearances including ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'' and ''[[What the Butler Saw (play)|What the Butler Saw]]''. He also played 'Pope Liberty III' in the Australian production of the musical ''[[Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stanley |first=Raymond |date=12 October 1989 |title=Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom |pages=13 |work=The Stage |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19891012/060/0013}}</ref>

Olsen appeared as Steve in ''[[The Comic Strip Presents...]]'' parody of ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'', called ''The Yob''. He also starred with Brian Bovell in the 1986 TV series ''[[Prospects (TV series)|Prospects]]'' about two young men in the [[London Docklands|Docklands]] trying to get ahead but usually failing.

==Television roles==
Olsen appeared in two episodes of the 1981 BBC TV series ''[[The Day of the Triffids (1981 TV series)|The Day of the Triffids]]'' as a street gang leader who later became an armed paramilitary officer.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

He played PC [[Dave Litten]] in 12 episodes of ''The Bill'' between 1984 and 1986 (as well as the 1983 pilot episode, ''[[Woodentop (The Bill)|Woodentop]]''). Olsen also starred in the 1986 TV series [[Prospects (TV series)|Prospects]] alongside Brian Bovell who played Jez Littlewood in ''[[Gimme Gimme Gimme (TV series)|Gimme Gimme Gimme]]'', about two friends living in the [[London Docklands|Docklands]] area trying their hand at anything to make a "few bob". In 1988, he appeared in the ''[[EastEnders]]'' spin-off ''[[CivvyStreet]]'' as [[Albert Beale|Albert]], the patriarch of the [[Beale family]]. His most prominent role was as Ben Porter in ''[[2point4 Children]]'' (1991–1999). He also had leading roles in another two short-lived BBC sitcoms ''[[Health and Efficiency (TV series)|Health and Efficiency]]'' (1993&ndash;1995) and ''[[Pilgrim's Rest (TV series)|Pilgrim's Rest]]'' opposite [[Gwen Taylor]] for one series in 1997. From 1999&ndash;2000 he played Johno in the [[Daz (detergent)|Daz Dogs]] adverts and sponsors.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

==Stage roles==
Olsen was critically acclaimed for a number of his roles in musicals including ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'', ''Cut and Thrust'', ''Gorky Brigade'', ''Welcome Home'', ''The Pope's Wedding'', ''Saved Dialogues'', ''Metamorphosis'', ''Serious Money'', ''[[What the Butler Saw (play)|What the Butler Saw]]'', ''Way of the World'', and ''[[Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom]]''. He received particular praise for his portrayal of Moey in ''On the Ledge'' at the National Theatre in 1993.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 1993 |title=Theatre Week |pages=11 |work=The Stage |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19930225/071/0011}}</ref> Two years later he appeared in ''April in Paris'' at the same theatre. His last stage role was as Evan in ''[[Art (play)|Art]]'' by [[Yasmina Reza]], in 2000.

==Personal life==
Olsen married Candy Davis (later known as the crime writer [[Mo Hayder]]) in 1985; they later divorced.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/08/09/mo-hayder-author-inventive-jaw-droppingly-grisly-thrillers/|title=Mo Hayder, author of inventive but 'jaw-droppingly grisly' thrillers – obituary|work=The Telegraph|date=9 August 2021|access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref> He married Australian Jane Anthony in 1991; the couple had two children.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1355463/Gary-Olsen.html |title=Obituary: Gary Olsen |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2000-09-15|access-date=2010-11-06}}</ref> After a ten-month illness with cancer, Olsen died on 12 September 2000 in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barker |first=Dennis |date=15 September 2000 |title=Obituary: Gary Olsen |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/sep/15/guardianobituaries.filmnews}}</ref> where he had emigrated following his diagnosis. He was 42 years old.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/923900.stm |title=Sitcom star Olsen dies |website=[[BBC News]] |date=2000-09-13 |access-date=2010-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martland |first=Johnny |date=21 September 2000 |title=Obituraries: Gary Olsen |pages=27 |work=The Stage |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001637/20000921/129/0027}}</ref>

==Selected filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |FILMS
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1979|| ''[[Birth of the Beatles]]'' || Rory Storm ||Debut
|-
| rowspan="2" |1980|| ''[[Bloody Kids]]'' || Ken's Gang 4 ||
|-
| ''[[Breaking Glass (film)|Breaking Glass]]'' || Guy at Bar ||
|-
|1981|| ''[[Outland (film)|Outland]]'' || Worker 1 ||
|-
| rowspan="2" |1982|| ''[[Pink Floyd – The Wall|Pink Floyd—The Wall]]'' || Roadie ||
|-
| ''[[The Sender]]'' || Patient #9 ||
|-
|1983|| ''[[Party Party (film)|Party Party]]'' || Terry, the drunk copper ||
|-
|1984|| ''[[Winter Flight]]''|| Dave ||
|-
| rowspan="2" |1985|| ''[[Turtle Diary]]''|| Lorry Driver at Rest Park ||
|-
| ''[[Underworld (1985 film)|Underworld]]'' || Red Dog ||
|-
|1985|| ''[[Loose Connections]]'' || Kevin ||
|-
|1987
|''Excuse Me But That's My Car''
|Nigel
|Short
|-
| rowspan="2" |1989
|''[[Rapid Fire (1989 film)|Rapid Fire]]''
|Miles
|
|-
| ''[[The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover]]'' || Spangler ||
|-
|1997|| ''[[Up 'n' Under (film)|Up 'n' Under]]'' || Arthur Hoye ||
|-
|2000|| ''[[24 Hours in London]]'' || Christian ||Final role
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |TELEVISION
|-
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1980
|''[[Play for Today]]''
|Youth
|''Bavarian Night''
|-
|1981
|''[[The Day of the Triffids (1981 TV series)|The Day of the Triffids]]''
|Torrence
|2 episodes
|-
|1982
|''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''
|Derek
|Episode: "Broken Arrow"
|-
| rowspan="2" |1983
|''Storyboard''
|P.C. Litten
|''[[Woodentop (Storyboard)|Woodentop]]''
|-
|''[[Walter (1982 film)|Walter and June]]''
|Shower Room Attendant
|TV Movie
|-
|1984
|''Mitch''
|Despatch Rider
|Episode: "Something Private"
|-
|1984–86
|''[[The Bill]]''
|P.C. Litten
|12 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3" |1986
|''[[C.A.T.S. Eyes|C.A.T.S Eyes]]''
|Colin
|Episode: "Powerline"
|-
|''[[Prospects (TV series)|Prospects]]''
|Jimmy 'Pincy' Pince
|12 episodes
|-
|''Wilderness Road''
|Keith
|6 episodes
|-
|1987
|''[[Drummonds (TV series)|Drummonds]]''
|Terry 
|Episode: "Old Flames"
|-
| rowspan="3" |1988
|''[[Bust (TV Series)|Bust]]''
|Nick Radford
|Episode: "Weekend Break"
|-
|<u>''[[CivvyStreet|Civvy Street]]''</u>
|Arthur Beale
|TV special
|-
|''[[The Comic Strip Presents]]''
|Terry
|''[[The Yob]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" |1989
|''[[Boon (TV series)|Boon]]''
|Geoff Robinson
|Episode: "Do Not Forsake Me"
|-
|''[[Saracen (TV series)|Saracen]]''
|Deanie
|Episode: "Robbers"
|-
|''[[Theatre Night]]''
|Chief Clerk
|''Metamorphisis''
|-
|1990
|''[[Come Home, Charlie, and Face Them|Come Home Charlie and Face Them]]''
|Porsen
|3 episodes
|-
|
|''[[She-Wolf of London (TV series)|She-Wolf of London]]''
|John Decarlo
|Episode: "Can't Keep a Dead Man Down - Part 1"
|-
|1991
|''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''
|Gary Tate
|Episode: "Allegiance"
|-
|1991
|''[[Van der Valk (1972 TV series)|Van Der Valk]]''
|Brouwer
|Episode: "A Sudden Silence"
|-
|1991–99
|''[[2point4 Children]]''
|Ben Porter
|56 episodes
|-
|1992
|''[[The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]]''
|Boris
|Episode: "Petrograd, July 1917"
|-
| rowspan="3" |1993
|''[[If You See God, Tell Him]]''
|Matthew
|1 episode
|-
|''[[Paul Calf's Video Diary]]''
|Tony
|TV special
|-
|''Thatcherworld''
|Eric Jenkins
|TV Movie
|-
|1993–95
|''[[Health and Efficiency (TV series)|Health and Efficiency]]''
|Dr. Michael Jimson
|12 episodes
|-
|1994
|''Pauline Calf's Wedding Diary''
|Tony
|TV special
|-
|1995
|''The Vet''
|Wilf Morgan
|Episode: "A Little Knowledge"
|-
|1997
|[[Pilgrim's Rest (TV series)|''Pilgrim's Rest'']]
|Bob Payne
|6 episodes
|-
|1998
|''[[Alice through the Looking Glass (1998 film)|Alice Through the Looking Glass]]''
|Tweedle-Dum
|TV Movie
|-
|1999
|''The Near and Complete History of Everything''
|Mr. Baker
|TV special
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|name=Gary Olsen|id=0647653}}
*[https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/gary_olsen/ Gary Olsen] at [[British Comedy Guide]]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olsen, Gary}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:English emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Melbourne]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:People from Westminster]]
[[Category:Actors from the City of Westminster]]