Hilary Minster
Great BritainBiography of Hilary Minster
Hilary Minster, born as Roger Michael Hilary Minster, was an English character actor. He was born on March 21, 1944, although there is some confusion regarding his exact birthdate. Some sources suggest September 19, 1939, while others mention March 21, 1945. However, the DVD release of "Genesis of the Daleks" by BBC states 1945 as his birth year.
Minster gained recognition for his role as General Erich von Klinkerhoffen in the comedy series "Allo 'Allo!" from 1984 to 1992. Although he became known for this role, it was considered one of his simpler characters, and his best work was deemed to be in other productions. He also appeared in several other notable television series, including "Crossroads," "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," and "Secret Army." It is worth mentioning that "Allo 'Allo!" parodied "Secret Army," making Minster's role a unique reference.
Minster had the opportunity to be a part of the popular British science-fiction series "Doctor Who." He portrayed a Thal soldier named Marat in the episode "Planet of the Daleks" in 1973 and an unnamed Thal soldier in the episode "Genesis of the Daleks" in 1975. He was one of the few actors in the show's long history to play two characters of the same race.
Additionally, Minster appeared in one episode of the children's television series "The Tomorrow People" titled "Achilles Heel." While his role was only in one episode, it was a significant part within the episode's storyline.
In the early 1980s, Minster worked as a host and producer for the program "Here and Now" on Central Independent Television. The show focused on the issues faced by ethnic minorities in the country, making it a prominent television project dedicated to this topic at the time.
Hilary Minster passed away on November 24, 1999, in Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, at the age of 55. He was laid to rest at Putney Vale Cemetery in London.
