Gary Olsen
25 movies · 17 TV shows
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Nov 3, 1957
- Died
- Sep 12, 2000 (age 42)
- Place of birth
- London, England, UK
- Also known as
- Gary Kenneth Grant · Gary Olson
Biography
Gary Olsen was an English actor.
Olsen was born in London and lived with an aunt and uncle, after losing both his parents at an early age. 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 until returning to theatre in 1978. Later he helped develop the musical production Up on the Roof, in which he starred in 1987 at London's Donmar and Apollo theatres.
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He made his screen debut in 1979 as Rory Storm in The Birth Of The Beatles, and appeared in numerous British films and television programmes, including playing PC Dave Litten in the first series of The Bill, but achieved fame only with the role of Ben in the sitcom 2point4 Children (1991–1999). He played a starring film role as Arthur Hoyle alongside Samantha Janus and Neil Morrissey in the rugby league comedy, Up 'n' Under. He appeared in many TV adverts, notably the 1996 National Westminster Bank advertising campaign.
In addition to his screen appearances he made numerous stage appearances including Rocky Horror Picture Show and What the Butler Saw. He also played 'Pope Liberty III' in the Australian production of the controversial musical Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom.
Olsen also displayed his comic talents as Steve in The Comic Strip Presents' send up of The Fly, called The Yob. He also starred with Brian Bovell in the 1986 TV series Prospects about two likely lads in the Docklands trying to get ahead but usually failing.
After a ten month fight with cancer, Olsen died in Victoria, where he had emigrated following his diagnosis. He left a widow, Australian second wife Jane, and their two children, a son and a daughter. He was 42 years old.
Profiles IMDb
Known for
Gary Olsen: movies and TV shows
Acting (42)
- 2000 24 Hours in London
as Christian
- 1999
- 1998 Alice Through the Looking Glass
as Tweedle-Dum
- 1998 Up 'n' Under
as Arthur Hoyle
- 1997
- 1994 Pauline Calf's Wedding Video
as Tony
- 1993 Paul Calf's Video Diary
as Tony
- 1993
- 1993
- 1993 Thatcherworld
as Eric Jenkins
- 1991
- 1990
- 1989 The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
as Spangler
- 1989 Metamorphosis
as Chief Clerk / Lodger
- 1989
- 1988 The Yob
as Steve
- 1987
- 1986
- 1986
- 1986
- 1985 Turtle Diary
as Lorry Driver
- 1985 Underworld
as Red Dog
- 1985
- 1984 Winter Flight
as Dave
- 1984
- 1984 Loose Connections
as Kevin
- 1983 Woodentop
as PC Litten
- 1983
- 1983 Walter and June
as Shower Room Attendant
- 1983 Party Party
as Terry
- 1982
- 1982 The Sender
as Patient
- 1982 Pink Floyd: The Wall
as Roadie
- 1981
- 1981 Outland
as Worker #1
- 1981 Bavarian Night
as Youth
- 1980 Breaking Glass
as Guy at Bar
- 1980 Bloody Kids
as Ken's Gang 4
- 1979 Birth of the Beatles
as Rory Storm
- 1979
- 1972
- 1970
Talk shows and appearances (2)
- 1978 An Audience with...
2 episodes
- 1964 Top of the Pops
1 episode