Trevor Baxter, actor and playwright, has sadly passed away at the age of 84.
Baxter’s career started in 1951 after graduating from RADA and spanned five decades. Among his many TV credits are ‘Z-Cars’, ‘The New Avengers’, ‘My Family’ and ‘Adam Adamant Lives!’
He was no stranger to the big screen either, with roles in several blockbuster movies of the last few decades. You may remember him as Dr. Jennings alongside Jude Law and Angelina Jolie in ‘Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow’.
Doctor Who fans will know him best as Professor George Litefoot. Baxter first appeared in 1977’s ‘The Talons of Weng-Chiang’ opposite Tom Baker’s Doctor. In the serial, he was paired up with theatre owner Henry Gordon Jago, played by Christopher Benjamin. The pair have made numerous spin-off appearances together, including their own Big Finish series. ‘Jago & Litefoot’ concluded its thirteenth series back in April, celebrating forty years since the characters first appeared.
Big Finish director and co-star Lisa Bowerman said, “Dear Trevor. What a spirit, what a brain, what entertainment… and what a friend and colleague. Lover of life and books and art, thoughts and ideas; the first person I knew to own a Kindle!”
“From the time I worked with him in the theatre – to the 6 splendid years I spent with him on Jago & Litefoot. You lightened our lives; and how lucky and privileged we were that you gave all your energy and talent to that splendid creation Professor George Litefoot. I can’t think of a more brilliant epilogue to a long and brilliant career. RIP Trevor. Heartbroken.”
In his later career, Baxter adapted two of Oscar Wilde’s works to the stage. He dramatised ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ for the theatre in 2003 and followed it up two years later with ‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’. This version received a brief revival in 2010 at the Theatre Royal in Windsor. Henry Gordon Jago would be proud.
BlogtorWho extends our thoughts to Trevor Baxter’s family and friends at this difficult time.
