I hated being a Film Star
Sir Dirk Bogarde
B: 28 March 1921
D: 8 May 1999 aged 78
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Forever remembered for his matinee idol image courtesy of the popular St Swithin's series that
began in 1954 with DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE, alongside such key films as DEATH IN VENICE / 1971
and THE NIGHT PORTER / 1974, Dirk Bogarde's contribution to the cause was shown by his
total commitment to the making of a controversial work that back in 1961,
aimed at highlighting a law that made being a practicing homosexual
in Great Britain, a criminal offence.
The film was VICTIM and in undertaking the role of Melville Farr, such would, alongside the
Peter Wildeblood trial and the noted Wolfenden Report, help play its part in securing the
decriminalisation (in part) of homosexual acts between men of twenty-one-years
or over in England and Wales, through the Sexual Offences Act of 1967.
Whilst never openly gay, Bogarde nevertheless went on to camp it up in the spy satire
MODESTY BLAISE / 1966 and later still would co-star in the gay sex comedy MAY WE
BORROW YOUR HUSBAND? / 1986. His cinematic swan song was the 1990 feature
DADDY NOSTALGIA aka THESE FOOLISH THINGS in which he stole
the show as the aging father of the piece.
By then however Bogarde, born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde of mixed
Dutch, Flemish and Scottish descent, had already developed a highly successful second
career as a writer and one that was to prove his main interest from 1977 onwards.
Plagued by poor health during his final years, he went on to voice his support for voluntary
euthanasia following the protracted death of his long-term partner / manager Anthony Forwood.
Bogarde passed away in May 1999 from a heart attack and to this day remains fondly remembered
for his acclaimed written works and contribution to the silver screen, being the
quintessential English gentleman - even whilst living abroad!
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