Secret Army actor Clifford Rose passes away ‘peacefully’ aged 92 at London care home

Actor Clifford Rose has died at the age of 92.

The Royal Shakespeare Company founding member – born John Clifford Rose – passed away ‘peacefully’ on Friday November 6 at Denville Hall, a care home in Northwood, London.

Best known for his stage and screen productions roles from King Lear to Doctor Who, he became a household name through his portrayal of Ludwig Kessler, a Gestapo officer in the 1970s World War II series Secret Army, which aired on BBC.

Sad news: Secret Army actor Clifford Rose has died at the age of 92 (pictured in 2020)

Continuing with his role as Kessler, he went on to star in BBC One’s namesake sequel between 1980 and 1981, which was set in contemporary times.

He had lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon with his wife Celia Ryder, who he shared two children Rosalind and Duncan with, until her death in 2012 aged 84.

One of three brothers, Clifford had been born in Herefordshire and abandoned his dream of becoming a doctor after being influenced by his sibling David’s acting ambitions.

A prime time television veteran, he appeared in Fortunes of War, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders and The Crown over his career, which spanned from 1959 until 2019.

Talented: The Royal Shakespeare Company founding member – born John Clifford Rose – passed away ‘peacefully’ on Friday November 6 at Denville Hall, a care home in Northwood, London (pictured in-character in Secret Army)

Featuring in 2011’s The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, he played the role of a bailiff and went on to work alongside Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady in the same year.

It was reported that the Clarence Derwent Award winner rarely missed a production at the RSC, going on to give a reading at its Kempe Society in January 2020.

He joined the association in 1960 and took a sabbatical leave in the 1970s. An English graduate at King’s College London, he was previously educated at Worcester’s The King’s School. 

Upon his graduation, he auditioned for the Elizabethan theatre company, and made his London debut performance in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Henry V at the Westminster Theatre in 1953.

Career: He became a household name through his portrayal of Ludwig Kessler, a Gestapo officer in BBC One series Secret Army (pictured in the 1970s)

Spending the following years touring with the Penguin Players, it was during this time that he met fellow actor and teacher Celia, whom he went on to marry. 

Returning to the RSC in 1989, he became an honorary associate and led to performances in As You Like It, Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, the Merchant of Venice and Henry IV.

Clifford’s son Duncan Rosslair told the Stratford Herald of his father’s death: ‘It was peaceful which was a mercy as he had been uncomfortable in his last few days.

‘I have fond memories of the early days of his career. In the late 70s and the 80s he was a jobbing actor and doing lots of television, he was great fun. 

In action: Returning to the RSC in 1989, he became an honorary associate and led to performances in As You Like It, Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, the Merchant of Venice and Henry IV (pictured in 1997 portraying Exeter)

‘It has been humbling seeing how admired and respected he was – and it meant a lot to him too. My sister read the letters of support to him during visits at the home.’

He went on to add that the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh offered Clifford their ‘spiritual and financial’ support, which had been ‘phenomenal’. 

Duncan added of the ‘actor’s actor’: ‘He was very level-headed, carefree and great fun to be around. A great joker, he had a good sense of humour.’ 

Leaving behind his two children, he is also survived by grandson Charlie and brother Rob.

Soulmates: He had lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon with his wife Celia Ryder, who he shared two children Rosalind and Duncan with, until her death in 2012 aged 84 (pictured in 1981)

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