Michael Gough (November 23, 1916 – March 17, 2011) was a British character actor who appeared in over 100 films. He is best known to international audiences by his recurring role as Alfred Pennyworth in all four movies of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchise, beginning with Batman (1989).
Gough was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, and although a misplaced birth certificate made his exact age a mystery for the majority of his life, his wife Henrietta recently confirmed that 1916 was his birth year. He made his first film appearance in 1947′s Blanche Fury and in addition to extensive television and theater work, Gough would go on to appear in at least one film every year until 2000.
Gough made his most significant contribution to the Doctor Who mythos when he portrayed the titular role in a 1965 episode titled The Celestial Toymaker. He returned to the series again in 1982, playing an old friend of The Doctor’s in Arc of Infinity. Gough’s other connection to the show was his third wife, Anneke Wills -- who played The Doctor’s companion Polly from 1966-67.
His frequent appearances in the Hammer horror films of the 60s and 70s afforded him a cult status among the genre’s fans. Some of his most notable efforts include the 1958 version of Dracula, 1960′s Horrors of the Black Museum, 1962′s The Phantom of the Opera, and 1976′s Satan’s Slave.
Gough won Broadway's 1979 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role – Play) for Bedroom Farce. He was also nominated in the same category in 1988 for Breaking the Code.
Gough is one of only two actors to appear in the four Batman films (the other actor was Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon). He worked for Burton again in 1999's Sleepy Hollow and 2005's Corpse Bride. He also briefly reprised his Alfred role in six 2001 television commercials for the OnStar automobile tracking system, informing Batman of the system's installation in the Batmobile. In 2010, he came out of retirement once again to appear in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
Gough is survived by his wife Henrietta, his sons Simon & Jasper, and his daughter Emma.
(Sources: Screen Rant, Wiki)
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