- All who knew him were shocked and devastated by his death, particularly Ronnie Barker. He was so upset he couldn't work for several days.
- Father, with Judy Loe, of Kate Beckinsale.
- During his short-lived career, Beckinsale was concerned with remaining fit. He played charity soccer, managed to quit smoking, and was considered athletic. His death was seen as entirely unexpected by his peers.
- RADA-trained British TV comedy actor. Started to act in repertory theatre in Crewe and was first glimpsed on-screen, as a police officer, in Coronation Street (1960) in 1969. He is fondly remembered for his roles in Porridge (1974) and Rising Damp (1974). Died tragically young, at just 31 years of age.
- Beckinsale was known for his dry sense of humour.
- While his career was build on his successful comedy roles, Beckinsale had expressed hope to turn to more serious roles as he aged. He never managed to do so.
- A memorial service was held for him at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden on 19th April 1979.
- Father, with Margaret Bradley, of Samantha Beckinsale.
- Richard's paternal grandmother, Mary Mitchell, was born in Burma, to a white father, Thomas Mitchell, and a Burmese (Asian) mother, Ma Ninhe.
- Owned a Bentley saloon car.
- In Rising Damp he had to wear a long haired wig as his hair had been kept short due to him having just finished filming Porridge.
- He met and fell for Judy Loe when they were together at Crewe Repertory. They had a daughter Kate.
- When he graduated from RADA, his first wife ended their marriage and refused him access to their daughter until 1978.
- His first straight role was in Last Summer for director Stephen Frears.
- His second wife, actress Judy Loe, with whom he has a daughter Kate, studied drama at Nottingham Drama School which was where Richard studied at.
- He and his first wife, Margaret, married as teenagers and separated 3 years later having had a daughter, Samantha, who became an actress.
- He was in process of making Bloody Kids for Stephen Frears which was for television but later it was re cast and re filmed for the cinema.
- One of his first tv appearances was as a policeman in Coronation Street.
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