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Brian Bedford
1935 - 2016
Brian Bedford
1935 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1935
DIED
2016
Brian Bedford Obituary
Bedford was a mainstay on Broadway who made his debut in 1959 in the play Five Finger Exercise, directed by John Gielgud. He appeared in 17 other Broadway plays including works by Shakespeare, Tom Stoppard, and Noël Coward. Most recently, he received a 2011 Tony nomination for his performance in The Importance of Being Earnest and won that year's Drama Desk Award for Featured Actor in a Play.
He received six other Tony nominations and won the Tony in 1971 for his performance in The School for Wives, along with a total of six Drama Desk Awards.
Bedford was a legendary actor and director with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada, where he originated his Broadway production of Earnest. He appeared in numerous plays at the festival including Much Ado about Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and played the title role in King Lear.
Bedford voiced the role of Robin Hood in Disney's 1973 animated feature of the same name. He made many television appearances including episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Equalizer, and Frasier.
Bedford is survived by his partner of 30 years, the actor Tim MacDonald.
38 Entries
Avellina Balestri
October 29, 2018
Brian Bedford: In Memoriam
By Avellina Balestri
Some voices shape our own
In memory, in manifestation
In twist of accent, turn of tone
In the comfort they give, the hope they plant
Those are the voices that form our tomorrows
They teach us to breathe in deeply
And to speak as we hear spoken
The words lilting through our minds
And keep your chin up
The stories they breathe deeply into
Someday therell be happiness again
The place, in our hearts, opened, never closed
in Nottingham
For we all have our little towns within,
All have our castle walls to scale,
Tales lend life to those towns,
Lend meaning to our climbs,
And tellers lend life to the tales
They make themselves an instrument
To make all our hearts a stage
And that stage is ever England
Ever merry, in the face of the rain
Once we watched the lazy world go by
Ah yes, so simple, our childhood days
With bent stick and elastic band
In the woods beyond my house
Ever Sherwood, at twilight
Now the days seem to fly
Yet even as the arrow flies, it sings
And the song stays inside
And encircles us outside
It goes on
On and on and on
Love goes on and on.
Thats the heart of all things
More than life itself
Beth Amos
October 18, 2018
Thank you so much for being the perfect voice to one of the most iconic and beloved figures of my childhood.
Tom Rolfing and I doing demo in Boston
Mark Hanks
October 26, 2016
One of the best years of my life was the year on tour with Brian doing "Equus" in Boston and Los Angeles. It's been years since we talked but I will was saddened at the news of his death. My condolences to Tim. I was happy that he passed in Santa Barbara as he always told me how much he enjoyed it when I took him there in 1976 to meet friends. God Bless you Brian-Peace be with you.
How you can show support
jn
March 22, 2016
to the family of brian bedford...you have our condolences...what has touched our hearts will never be loss..cherish the memories of your dear loved one...even in sadness, you must feel pride in the legacy left by someone so special, leaving all of us an example to follow and a remarkable life to remember with grateful hearts.. 1 Corinthians 15:26.
Tim MacDonald
February 19, 2016
I wish to express my deep gratitude to all those who have been kind enough to express their condolences and fond memories of my beloved Brian.
M A
January 28, 2016
I send my deepest regards to the family. May God give you comfort at this time.
Wright
January 18, 2016
May the God of comfort,comfort all who knew him Our heartfelt condolences.
Thalia
January 18, 2016
With deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May it comfort you to know that he will return to the days of his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25.
Maria
January 18, 2016
God bless and rest in peace.
January 18, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 18, 2016
My sincere condolences to family and friends for the loss of their dear, beloved one...who also was one great, talented actor, whose voice and talent captivated the hearts of many... May God, who promises to become a Stronghold to those whose hearts are broken and crushed, fill you with inner peace by your trusting in him, so that you may abound in strength and comfort to endure...
Janiecea N.
January 18, 2016
The Bedford family have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear beloved one. May you find comfort from Act 24:15
January 18, 2016
My condolences to the family of Brian Bedford.
Scott Chamberland
January 17, 2016
Rest in Peace
January 17, 2016
May your family find peace and comfort. Knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be gone forever. For this has been promised by God.
January 17, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)
January 17, 2016
With sympathy to the family .Looking forward with you to the fulfillment of this promise Psalm 68:20.
Joyce Aaron
January 17, 2016
My beautiful inspiring memories of working with Brian on The Knack in Chicago . We became close friends . He will always live in my heart . Farewell dearest Brian . Sadness overwhelms . Love Joyce Aaron
January 16, 2016
Very sorry for your loss .
January 16, 2016
So sorry for your loss. What a good long life Brian enjoyed. Many cannot say the same. He was one of those especially strong. Ps. 90:10
January 16, 2016
May family and friends keep the fond memories close in their hearts and minds at this time of deep sorrow. This Will help to keep you strong and perhaps bring a smile to your face every now and then.. God love and care for you.
Marie
January 16, 2016
Gone and will not be forgotten, may your memories be a blessing, and may prayers to the God of comfort and tender mercies, along with the loving support of family and friends make it easier to bear your loss.
January 16, 2016
I want to express my deepest sympathy to the friends and family. May God comfort you during this most difficult time.
A Chavis
January 15, 2016
Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time in your lives. We all yearn for better conditions. It's refreshing to know that God's word speaks of a time when all sorrows will be gone and that mankind will live in beautiful surroundings with nothing to fear. - (Isaiah 65:17,21-24)
January 15, 2016
Our deepest condolences to the Bedford family, may you draw comfort from our heavenly Father who cares for us and promises to one day due away with sickness and death forever and reunite us back with our dear loved ones, John chpt 5:28,29
January 15, 2016
May God be with you during this most difficult time. You have my deepest Sympathy & Condolences.
-SJ
January 15, 2016
Sorry for your lost may the God of peace de with you at this time hohn 5, 28, 29,
January 15, 2016
Sorry for your loss. He was great. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Harry Simpson
January 14, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
January 14, 2016
My condolences to Tim MacDonald, other family members and friends for your loss. May the many fond memories you share of him ease your sorrow (Psalms 55:22)
Clare Maybee
January 14, 2016
Brian was awesome in Grand Prix! He really left an impression. Condolences.
January 14, 2016
sorry to hear about Brian Bedford to the family hope you find comfort
January 14, 2016
Our prayers are with the family. May the God who gives peace be with all of you.
Dwayne Bickham,Sr.
January 14, 2016
In God's care ,rest in peace.
January 13, 2016
You have my deepest sympathy. May the God of loyal love comfort the family and friends during this time of sorrow Psalms 119: 76
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