Quick Facts
Biography
Richard Leech (24 November 1922 – 24 March 2004), born Richard Leeper McClelland, was an Irish actor.
Richard Leeper McClelland was born in Dublin, Ireland, the son of Isabella Frances (Leeper) and Herbert Saunderson McClelland, a lawyer. He was educated at Haileybury and Trinity College, Dublin, and qualified as a doctor in 1945. He worked in that profession from 1945-6, then became a full-time actor.
His numerous film credits include The Dam Busters (1955) (playing Dinghy Young), Night of the Demon (1957), Yangtse Incident: The Story of HMS Amethyst (1957), Ice Cold in Alex (1958), Tunes of Glory (1960), Young Winston (1972), Gandhi (1982) and the acclaimed The Shooting Party (1985).
On television Richard Leech appeared in Dickens of London, The Barchester Chronicles, Smiley's People, three episodes of The Avengers in different roles, Redcap, Danger Man, The Doctors, The New Avengers, The Duchess of Duke Street, and starred in a Doctor Who story called The Sun Makers.
He married twice, with Helen Hyslop Uttley and Diane Pearson, and had two children: Sarah-Jane McClelland and Eliza McClelland.
Selected filmography
- The Temptress (1949) - (uncredited)
- The Cruel Sea (1953) - Sailor (uncredited)
- Lease of Life (1954) - Carter
- Children Galore (1955) - Harry Bunnion
- The Prisoner (1955) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- The Dam Busters (1955) - Squadron Leader H. M. Young, D.F.C.
- The Feminine Touch (1956) - Casualty Doctor
- It's Never Too Late (1956) - John Hammond
- The Long Arm (1956) - 'Nightwatchman' / Gilson
- The Iron Petticoat (1956)
- Time Without Pity (1957) - Proprietor of Espresso Bar (uncredited)
- The Good Companions (1957) - Ridvers
- Yangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst (1957) - Lt. Strain RN
- These Dangerous Years (1957) - Captain Brewster
- The Birthday Present (1957) - Hawkins (uncredited)
- Night of the Demon (1957) - Inspector Mottram
- The Moonraker (1958) - Henry Strangeways
- The Wind Cannot Read (1958) - Hobson
- Ice Cold in Alex (1958) - Captain Crosbie
- A Night to Remember (1958) - First Officer William Murdoch
- Dublin Nightmare (1958) - Steve Lawlor
- The Horse's Mouth (1958) - Hodges (uncredited)
- A Lady Mislaid (1958) - George
- Tunes of Glory (1960) - Captain Alec Rattray
- The Terror of the Tongs (1961) - Insp. Bob Dean
- I Thank a Fool (1962) - Irish Doctor
- The Wild and the Willing (1962) - Police Inspector
- The War Lover (1962) - Murika
- The Flood (1963)
- Ricochet (1963) - Alan Phipps
- The Cracksman (1963) - Detective Sergeant
- Life at the Top (1965) - Doctor
- The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966) - Phelim O'Toole
- The Railway Children (1970) - Doctor (voice)
- Young Winston (1972) - Moore
- Got It Made (1974) - Dr. Allen
- The Mirror Crack'd (1980) - Director of Photography (uncredited)
- Gandhi (1982) - Brigadier
- Champions (1984) - Beck
- The Shooting Party (1985) - Dr. West
- A Handful of Dust (1988) - Doctor (final film role)