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Jay Benedict
Jay Benedict
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Jay Benedict (April 11, 1951 – April 4, 2020) was an American actor who spent most of his life and career in the United Kingdom. He was frequently cast as American characters in British films and television programmes. He was best known for his television roles as Doug Hamilton in the soap opera Emmerdale, and as Captain/Major John Kieffer in the detective drama Foyle's War, in the episodes "Invasion" and "All Clear". He also played Russ Jorden, Newt's father, in the special "Extended Edition" of the film Aliens.

Key Information

Life and career

[edit]

Benedict was born in Burbank, California.[1] He moved to Europe with his family in the 1960s, and spent most of his working life in England. He was of half German descent.[1] His theatrical credits include The Rocky Horror Show in the Kings Road in the early 1970s, Harold Pinter's production of Sweet Bird of Youth, The Reverend Lee in The Foreigner and Riccardo in Franco Zeffirelli's production of Filumena in which he played opposite Pierce Brosnan in the latter's first stage role, and Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, in a touring production of "One Day at a Time". In 2013, he appeared opposite Steven Berkoff and Andree Bernard in the world premiere of the former's one act play An Actor's Lament at The Berkoff Performing Arts Centre at Alton College, followed by a second performance at The Sinden Theatre, Homewood School, Tenterden in Kent, two nights at The Maltings Theatre & Cinema in Berwick-upon-Tweed and then a three-week run at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In May 2014, it was revived with a short run at the Theatre Royal, Margate with a further one-week run scheduled at The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, in September 2014.

In August 2014, he returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the world premiere of Terry Jastrow's The Trial of Jane Fonda, playing World War II veteran Archie Bellows.

He also appeared widely on television, most notably as Frank Crowe in an episode of the BBC's award-winning 2003 television miniseries Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, John E. Jones III in Nova's Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial, Alan Kalanak in the 2001 Christmas Special edition of Jonathan Creek and Yves Houdet in Thames Television's mini-series of Angus Wilson's Anglo-Saxon Attitudes. Other television appearances include Lilyhammer as Agent Becker, Queen Victoria's Men (Lord Melbourne), Sharpe's Honour (General Verigny), Bergerac (Martin Colley), Death Train (Halloran), Harnessing Peacocks (Eli Drew) and Only Love (Roger). He provided the voice for Shiro Hagen in Star Fleet, the English adaptation of the Japanese X-Bomber.

His first film role, at the age of 11, was in the 1963 Tony Saytor film La Bande à Bobo. In 1977, he played Deak in the Tosche Station scenes in Star Wars, which were deleted from the film before release.[2] Subsequent film appearances include The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission (Didier le Clair), Icon (Carey Jordan), The White Knight (Turkish Ambassador), The Russia House (Spikey), Saving Grace (the MC), Rewind and The Dark Knight Rises (Rich Twit). In 2003 he was third lead in Vicente Aranda's version of Carmen, playing Don Prospero.

In addition to English, he also spoke fluent French and Spanish, having spent parts of his childhood in both countries, and performed widely on the continent. He appeared as Paul Matthiews in the French day-time soap opera Cap des Pins and William Wilbur in Le Grand Charles (a French mini series on Charles De Gaulle), among many other roles.

He was married to actress Phoebe Scholfield and together they ran Sync or Swim, an ADR/Loop group. They also translated and wrote movies together, such as The Card Player (Il Cartaio), which they translated into English. They had two sons: Leopold Benedict (Before the Rains, Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest) and Freddie Benedict (Planet 51, Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest). He also had a daughter from his previous marriage to casting director Vanessa Pereira.

Death

[edit]

Benedict died at Croydon University Hospital on April 4, 2020, a week before his 69th birthday, due to complications arising from a COVID-19 infection during the pandemic in London.[1] He is survived by his mother Renata (b. 1926), his wife Phoebe (b. 1958) and his children Alexis (b. 1984), Frederick (b. 1996) and Leopold (b. 1997).[3][1][4]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1963 La bande à Bobo
1977 Star Wars Deak Scenes deleted
1979 Winterspelt Sergeant
1979 Hanover Street Corporal Daniel Giler
1979 Licensed to Love and Kill Mad Professor
1980 The Mine and the Minotaur Gerry Gallagher
1982 Victor Victoria Guy Langois
1983 The Lonely Lady Dr. Sloan
1986 Project A-Ko Captain Napolipolita 1992, English version, voice
1986 Aliens Russ Jorden (Newt's Father) Special edition only
1989 La Révolution française Clerc Segment "Années Terribles, Les"
1989 Jeniec Europy Capt. Henry Fox
1989 Diamond Skulls Joe Dimandino
1990 The Russia House Spikey
1992 Shining Through Wisecracker in War Room
1993 Genghis Cohn Dr. Burkhardt
1994 The Patriots Colleague NSA
1996 Beaumarchais L'homme en gris
1997 Double Team Brandon
1998 Rewind Blondin
1999 RKO 281 Darryl Zanuck TV movie
2000 Saving Grace Master of Ceremonies
2000 Vatel King's Commode Valet
2002 Pets Francois - the duck Voice
2003 The Petersburg-Cannes Express
2003 Carmen Próspero
2004 Secret Agents L'Américain
2005 Mansquito Dr. Aaron Michaels
2006 The White Knight Turkish Ambassador
2007 The Apocalypse Code Rayli
2010 Chico and Rita Voice
2012 The Dark Knight Rises Rich Twit
2013 The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared French Foreign Minister
2015 Moonwalkers Colonel Dickford
2016 I.T. Detective Unrein
2016 Demain tout commence Médecin
2017 Madame Doctor Schurman
2017 Hostile Wounded Man
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1980–1981 Ekkusu Bonbā/"Star Fleet" (1982 English Dub) Shiro Hagen Voice, 1982 English dub, 24 episodes
1985 The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission Didier Le Clair TV movie
1989 Angel Cop Asura Voice, 6 episodes
1997 Emmerdale Doug Hamilton 20 episodes
1998–2000 Cap des Pins Paul Matthiews Unknown episodes
2001 Jonathan Creek Alan Kalanak Episode: "Satan's Chimney"
2003 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World Frank Crowe Episode: "The Hoover Dam"
2005 Icon Carey Jordan TV movie
2006 Foyle's War Maj. / Captain John Kieffer 2 episodes
2007 Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial Judge John Jones Documentary
2008 Queen Victoria's Men Lord Melbourne TV movie documentary
2011 Page Eight Master of the College TV movie
2012 Lilyhammer Agent Becker Episode: "Reality Check"
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Nightlong: Union City Conspiracy Joshua Reev
2001 Fuzion Frenzy Additional voices
2001 Headhunter Additional voices
2002 Archangel Nath, Zelath, Miner, Berlin Monk, Sleeping Ghost
2003 Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon André Lobineau
2004 Powerdrome Jed Clanton
2005 Spartan: Total Warrior Archimedes
2005 Perfect Dark Zero Additional voices
2011 MindJack Gardner, additional voices[5]

References

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from Grokipedia
Jay Benedict (April 11, 1951 – April 4, 2020) was an American actor who built a prolific career primarily in the , appearing in film, television, theatre, and voice work over five decades. Born in , he relocated to during the and became a familiar presence in British productions, often portraying authoritative or military figures. Benedict died in at age 68 from complications related to , as confirmed by his family and agency. Throughout his career, Benedict gained recognition for supporting roles in high-profile films, including Russ Jorden, the father of Newt, in James Cameron's Aliens (1986), a part added for the special edition release. He also appeared as Rich Twit, a wealthy associate of the film's villain, in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises (2012). On television, he portrayed Major John Kieffer, an American officer aiding in World War II investigations, across multiple seasons of the ITV series Foyle's War (2002–2015). Benedict played Doug Hamilton, a businessman, in the long-running soap opera Emmerdale during the late 1990s. His early theatre work included understudying in the original London production of The Rocky Horror Show (1973), and he continued performing on stage extensively in the UK and continental Europe. In addition to live-action roles, Benedict contributed to in video games, documentaries, and advertisements, showcasing his versatility as a performer. He was married to actress Phoebe Scholfield, known for 'Allo 'Allo!, and they had two sons, Leopold and Freddie, both of whom are ; Benedict also had a , Alexis, from a previous marriage. Tributes following his death emphasized his professionalism, warmth, and enduring contributions to the entertainment industry.

Early life

Birth and family background

Jay Benedict was born on April 11, 1951, in , . He held American and was of half-German Jewish descent through his mother, Benedict (born 1926), a German immigrant who survived as a child. Renata Benedict was born in , , , into a Jewish family; her father, Walter, was a respected attorney who had received the for service in , and her mother assisted the poor in their community, while she had an older sister named Annette. Little public information is available regarding Benedict's father or any siblings. Benedict spent his early childhood in Burbank, where his family resided until relocating to Europe when he was around 12 years old.

Education and relocation to Europe

In 1963, at the age of 12, Jay Benedict relocated to Europe with his family from Burbank, California, initially settling in Paris, France, as his parents—free-spirited artists disillusioned with American conformity—sought a bohemian lifestyle funded by a modest $5 daily budget. His mother studied mime under Marcel Marceau, while his stepfather produced underground films, shaping an itinerant existence that saw the family traverse five countries before Benedict reached adolescence. This peripatetic childhood honed his adaptability and mimicry abilities, essential precursors to his performing arts pursuits. The family eventually based themselves in during the vibrant cultural scene, where Benedict attended a that immersed him in British traditions. There, he secretly listened to radio under his pillow at night, igniting a fascination with voice modulation and . This clandestine exposure to bilingual disc jockeys like , who operated across and , inspired Benedict's early aspirations in broadcasting and performance, blending his emerging multilingual talents with auditory mimicry. By his mid-teens, while still in around age 15, Benedict contributed to family finances through work on risqué films alongside his mother, an experience that paid school fees and deepened his practical engagement with languages and . His international upbringing rendered him bilingual in English and French, with strong proficiency in Spanish and German, facilitating seamless and laying the groundwork for a career in European theatre and . His early acting debut came in 1963 with a role in the French film La Bande à Bobo at age 11. Benedict formalized his interest in the performing arts by enrolling at London's Central School of Speech and Drama in 1969, where he trained intensively for three years before graduating in 1972. This education equipped him with classical techniques in speech, drama, and voice, transforming his youthful exposures into professional competencies amid the multicultural milieu of post-relocation Europe.

Acting career

Theatre and early roles

Jay Benedict made his acting debut as a child in the 1963 French La Bande à Bobo, directed by Tony Saytor, at the age of 12. This early role marked the beginning of his transition from a young performer in to a burgeoning stage career across and the . Following his relocation, Benedict pursued formal training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in , graduating in 1973. His early adult stage work in the 1970s centered in , where he joined the original production of at the Royal Court Theatre on , taking on multiple roles including Frank N. Furter in the show's third cast during its nascent phase. This cult musical provided Benedict with his first significant exposure in British theatre, highlighting his versatility in musical and dramatic performance amid the production's innovative, audience-immersive style. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Benedict built an extensive theatre career spanning and , evolving from ensemble roles to more prominent character parts. Notable among these was his portrayal of The Heckler in Harold Pinter's 1985 revival of Tennessee Williams's at the Theatre Royal Bath, a production featuring that toured the and emphasized psychological depth in its ensemble dynamics. Benedict's bilingual skills in English and French enabled frequent work in European venues, solidifying his reputation as a reliable adept at both straight drama and during this formative period.

Television work

Jay Benedict's television career spanned from the 1970s to the , where he frequently portrayed American characters in British and international productions, contributing to character-driven narratives in both serialized dramas and episodic mysteries. One of his notable recurring roles was as the businessman Doug Hamilton in the British soap opera , appearing in 19 episodes in 1997, where his character navigated complex family and community dynamics in the rural setting. In the detective series , Benedict played Captain/Major John Kieffer, a U.S. Army officer and ally to the , across two episodes in 2006 and 2008, adding layers of transatlantic wartime tension to the WWII-era investigations. Benedict also made guest appearances in other UK series, such as portraying Alan Kalanak, a magician entangled in a puzzle, in the 2001 Christmas special "Satan's Chimney" of . Internationally, he appeared as FBI Agent Becker in the 2012 episode "Reality Check" of the Norwegian-American crime comedy , contributing to its blend of intrigue and cultural clashes.

Film roles

Jay Benedict's film career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1960s with his childhood debut and early uncredited roles in major productions such as Deak in the deleted Tosche Station scenes of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), and evolving toward supporting character parts in international and British cinema later in his life. His early film work often featured him in brief but memorable appearances in , reflecting his transition from theater to screen after time in Europe. One of Benedict's notable early contributions was his portrayal of Russ Jorden, the father of young survivor , in the extended of James Cameron's Aliens (1986). This uncredited role provided crucial backstory to the colony's fate, appearing in scenes depicting the Jordens' deadly encounter with xenomorphs on LV-426. The performance, though brief, added depth to the film's narrative of family loss and survival. In the and , Benedict's roles shifted toward supporting characters in diverse genres, including spy thrillers and comedies, often leveraging his American accent for expatriate or authoritative figures in European-set productions. He appeared as the in the black comedy Saving Grace (2000), directed by , where he hosted a quirky scene central to the 's plot about a turning to to save her estate. This role highlighted his versatility in lighter, ensemble-driven British films. Benedict continued with international projects into the 2010s, including a cameo as Rich Twit, a wealthy socialite dancing with Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) at a masquerade ball, in Christopher Nolan's superhero epic The Dark Knight Rises (2012). The part underscored his presence in high-profile blockbusters, contrasting his earlier genre work with a satirical nod to Gotham's elite. His later filmography emphasized collaborative, character-focused cinema across borders, such as in the sci-fi thriller Morgan (2016), where he contributed to the production's voice elements amid a story of bioengineered horror.

Voice acting and dubbing

Jay Benedict's career spanned , , video games, and audiobooks, with a particular emphasis on and international productions. His work often leveraged his fluency in English and French, along with proficiency in German and Spanish, skills he developed during his long residency in beginning in the . One of his notable early contributions was providing the lead voice for Shiro Hagen, the communications officer and pilot, in the 1982 English dub of the Japanese puppet series , retitled Star Fleet for international audiences. This 24-episode adaptation aired from 1980 to 1981 in its original form and showcased Benedict's ability to convey authoritative yet youthful energy in a sci-fi context. Benedict and his wife, actress Phoebe Scholfield, collaborated extensively on projects across , contributing voiceovers, translations, and dubs for over 175 films, television series, and animations in French and German. Their work included European animations and international media, where Benedict's multilingual capabilities allowed for seamless synchronization in non-English markets. In video games, Benedict lent his voice to additional characters in titles such as Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon (2003), (2003), and (2011), often providing narration or supporting roles that enhanced immersive storytelling. His audiobook narration included the RNIB talking book edition of Lee Child's Killing Floor (2010), where his clear, engaging delivery brought the thriller's tension to life, alongside other titles available on platforms like Audible.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Jay Benedict's first marriage was to casting director Vanessa Pereira in 1987, which ended in divorce at an unspecified later date. Benedict married British actress Phoebe Scholfield; Scholfield was known for her role as Gertrud in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!.

Family and children

Jay Benedict had three children from his two marriages: a daughter named Alexis from his first marriage to Vanessa Pereira, and two sons, Frederick (also known as Freddie) and Leopold, from his second marriage to actress Phoebe Scholfield. Benedict was survived by his mother, Renate Benedict (born 1926), a woman of notable artistic background who studied mime under and lived a bohemian lifestyle in communities such as the Oceano Dunes in . Renate's unconventional life and experiences, including her time in artistic enclaves and her Jewish heritage amid events like , contributed to the family's non-conformist ethos, which Benedict later reflected shaped his personal worldview and adaptability in his transnational career.

Death

Illness and passing

In early 2020, amid the emerging global , Jay Benedict was diagnosed with the virus after exhibiting symptoms that required medical attention. Benedict passed away on April 4, 2020, at the age of 68, due to complications arising from the infection.

Tributes and legacy

Following Jay Benedict's death on April 4, 2020, tributes poured in from colleagues and communities associated with his notable roles. In the and British television circles, actors and fans remembered him for his commanding presence as Major John Kieffer, with , a fellow performer, describing Benedict as "one of the greats" with "a big voice and even bigger personality." The production team issued a heartfelt on-air dedication, acknowledging his contributions to the series and expressing sorrow over his loss amid the early stages of the global pandemic. Similarly, honored him with a title card at the end of season 3, episode 6, recognizing his impact on the industry. Within the Aliens and sci-fi communities, Benedict's portrayal of Russ Jorden in the film's extended edition drew widespread remembrances, with the Aliens vs. Predator Galaxy site and its forum users offering condolences such as "Rest in peace, Jay" and lamenting the pandemic's toll on talent like him. The Star Wars fandom also paid respects, noting his uncredited role as Deak in A New Hope; outlets like Fantha Tracks expressed condolences to his family, calling him a key part of the franchise's extended legacy. Co-stars from , where he played Doug Hamilton, including , shared personal grief, with Michelle tweeting that Benedict was "one of our most brilliant actors and kind lovely man" and offering sympathies to his loved ones. Media coverage of Benedict's passing emphasized its occurrence during the height of the , positioning him among early high-profile entertainment figures lost to the virus, as reported by outlets like , , and , which highlighted the disease's rapid spread and the vulnerability of older performers. His death underscored the pandemic's disruption to , with his agency, TCG Artist Management, noting the profound sorrow felt by those who knew his charismatic and professional demeanor. Benedict's legacy endures in British television through recurring roles in series like and , where he embodied authoritative yet nuanced characters, contributing to the genre's post-war drama tradition. In sci-fi, his brief but memorable appearances in Aliens and Star Wars cemented his place in cult favorites, influencing fan discussions on expanded universes. His extensive and career, spanning English adaptations and European markets, including French dubs for major films and shows, established him as a versatile audio performer whose work reached international audiences. Though he received no major awards or nominations in or film, his influence on younger actors in the UK and European scenes was significant; voice artist credited Benedict as a mentor who guided his early career, introduced him to key agents, and co-founded the ADR company Sync or Swim, describing him as a "big brother" whose support shaped professional paths in and .

Filmography

Film credits

YearTitleRole
1982Guy Langois
1983The Lonely LadyDr. Sloan
1986AliensRuss Jorden
1990The Russia HouseSpikey
1997Double TeamBrandon
2000Saving Grace
2012The Dark Knight RisesRich Twit
2015MoonwalkersColonel Dickford
2017HostileWesson
2019A Call to SpyColonel Smith
2019The CourierMr. Baker

Television credits

Benedict's television credits encompass a range of guest appearances, recurring roles, and main parts in British and international series, often highlighting his versatility in and sci-fi genres.
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodes
1978The ProfessionalsMiller1
1981BergeracFrench Doctor1
1989Det. Sgt. Green1
1992–1993The Adventures of Young Indiana JonesEmile2
1993CasualtyDr. Joe Callaghan1
1994Dr. Peter Caplan1
1997Doug HamiltonMultiple
1997HighlanderBernie Crutchfield1
2001Duke1
2006–2008Major/Captain John Kieffer2
2003John Anderson1
2004Frank1
2005DoctorsRoger1
2006Martin1
2007CasualtyFrank1
2007Mr. Carter1
2020(uncredited/in memory of)1

Voice work credits

Benedict was a prolific voice actor, particularly in English dubs of Japanese media and in video games, contributing to both animated and live-action projects targeted at European and international audiences.

Animation

  • Star Fleet (1980–1981, English dub of X-Bomber): Shiro Hagen (lead voice), Communications Officer.
  • Project A-Ko (1986, English dub): Captain Napolipolita.
  • Angel Cop (1989, English dub): Asura.
  • GoShogun: The Time Étranger (1986, English dub): Additional voices.
  • Simsala Grimm (1999–2010, English dub): Father, Korbinian, Young Giant, Potter (episode 1); Bearded Monster (episode 10); additional voices (season 1).
  • Chico & Rita (2010): Additional voices.
  • Crying Freeman (1988–1994, English dub): Helicopter Pilot.

Dubbing (Live-Action Films and Series)

Benedict frequently worked on English dubs for Japanese tokusatsu and kaiju films distributed in European markets.
  • Gamera (1965): Atomic Energy Research Institute Staff A, Chidori Maru Navigator, Chidori Maru Radioman, Fish Seller B, Fleeing Citizen, Kenny's Schoolteacher, Plant Worker, Radio Soldier, Refinery Plant Worker, Reporter B.
  • Hercules (1983): Slain Roman Soldier.
  • Fugitive Alien (1986, English dub of Cyborg 009 segments): Rocky.
  • Star Force: Fugitive Alien II (1987): Rocky.
  • Mighty Jack (1987, English dub): Jerry.

Video Games

  • Nightlong: Union City Conspiracy (1998): Joshua Reev.
  • (2001): Additional voices.
  • Headhunter (2001): Additional voices.
  • (2004): Additional voices.
  • Conflict: Desert Storm (2002): Additional voices.
  • Spartan: Total Warrior (2005): .
  • Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon (2003): Additional voices.
  • Chaser (2003): Additional voices.
  • MindJack (2011): Gardner (English version).
  • (2011): Additional voices.
Benedict's voice work often involved additional or ensemble roles in multilingual projects, enhancing his contributions to dubbed content for Western audiences.

References

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