Andrew MacLachlan (27 February 1941 – 17 December 2018) was a Scottish first-class cricketer and actor who was active on British television and in films 1979 to 2006.

Andrew MacLachlan
Personal information
Full name
Andrew MacLachlan
Born27 February 1941
Trearddur, Angelsey, Wales
Died17 December 2018(2018-12-17) (aged 77)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1962Oxford University
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 5
Runs scored 99
Batting average 14.14
100s/50s –/–
Top score 28
Balls bowled 312
Wickets 3
Bowling average 79.66
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling 1/49
Catches/stumpings 1/–
Source: Cricinfo, 9 June 2020

Early life and cricket edit

The son of the Scotsman Geoffrey MacLachlan and his wife, Violet (née Hicks), he was born at Trearddur on Anglesey where his father was stationed while on military service during the Second World War.[1] His parents divorced shortly after the war and MacLachlan lived with his mother in a converted Martello tower at Malahide in Ireland. He was educated in England, where he attended St Edward's School, Oxford. He remained in Oxford after completing his education at St Edward's, matriculating at St Edmund Hall, Oxford.[1] While studying at St Edmund Hall, MacLachlan played first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1962, making five appearances.[2] An all-rounder,[1] he scored 99 runs in his five matches, with a high score of 28,[3] while with the ball he took 3 wickets.[4]

After graduating from Oxford, MacLachlan became an English teacher in a prep school. In his spare time he would play the guitar and sing in folk and cabaret clubs. He married Georgina Morton in 1966, with the couple having met while doing temporary work at Christmas in Harrods.[1] Having left the teaching profession, he found an office job with the Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association in order to support his family, which now included three daughters.[1]

Acting career edit

Aged 38, MacLachlan decided to try his hand as an actor and contacted his Oxford University friend Terry Jones who gave him his first screen role in 1979 when he appeared as a Roman centurion in the Life of Brian.[1] He also appeared in the films Time Bandits, A Fish Called Wanda, Danny, the Champion of the World, Bob's Birthday (as a voice-over), Who Dares Wins, and Trauma. He has appeared in TV serials including Twelfth Night, Play for Today, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, Foyle's War, and Pickles: The Dog Who Won the World Cup in 2006, which was his last film appearance.[1][5]

MacLachlan died on 17 December 2018, aged 77. He was survived his wife and their three daughters, in addition to four grandchildren.[1]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
1979 Monty Python's Life of Brian Another Official Stoners Helper / Giggling Guard
1981 Time Bandits Fireman
1982 Who Dares Wins Immigration Officer
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Groom / Wycliff / Victim #1 / Guest #3
1987 Personal Services Mr. McClellan
1988 A Fish Called Wanda Eebedee
1988 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Colonel
1988 Managing Problem People. Behavioral skills for leaders
1989 Erik the Viking Ornulf / Chamberlain / Dog Soldier
2004 Trauma Grief Stricken Man

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h MacLachlan, Tamara (4 February 2019). "Andrew MacLachlan obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  2. ^ "First-Class Matches played by Andrew MacLachlan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  3. ^ "First-Class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Andrew MacLachlan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  4. ^ "First-Class Bowling For Each Team by Andrew MacLachlan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Andrew MacLachlan". IMDb. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

External links edit