The character actor Nigel Green, born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1924, was educated in England and studied chemical engineering before winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. By age 24, he was appearing on stage at both the Old Vic and Stratford-on-Avon, and in the early 1950s, he made his film and television debuts.

In 1956, he received serious injuries in an accident, but he fully recovered and established himself as a familiar figure in British film and television.

His  tall, muscular physique was appropriate for playing such characters as Fertog “The Bear” in the television series William Tell (1958), Little John in Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960), and the one I remember him best for –  Hercules in Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

Nigel Green as Samson in Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

Nigel Green as Samson in Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

Nigel Green as Little John in Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) with Richard Greene

In Zulu – above – an action  scene

Nigel Green  was always convincing even when tackling the most bizarre subject matter.

Television appearances included The Persuaders, “Read and Destroy,” Jason King, “As Easy As ABC” (both 1971), Sherlock Holmes with Peter Cushing,  and Dr. Finlay’s Casebook.  Also of course The Avengers

 ABOVE:  Nigel Green In The Avengers episode The Fog her with Patrick McNee as John Steed of course

Nigel Green had a number of small film roles in the early 1960s until his appearance in the critically acclaimed Zulu (1964), after which his film roles improved.

 In addition to a few British horror films, such as The Skull (1965), The Face of Fu Manchu (1965), and Countess Dracula (1971), Green also appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including Tobruk (1967), The Wrecking Crew (1968) and The Kremlin Letter (1970).

Nigel Green’s later films brought him international recognition and a chance at stardom; however, his career was brought to an abrupt end by his sudden death in 1972 at age 47 from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.