John Wood Dies at 81
By: Lauren Wolman
British stage and screen actor John Wood, known for his roles in Tom Stoppard's plays, died on August 6, 2011 at the age of 81.
Mr. Wood won an Evening Standard Award and a Tony Award for his work in TRAVESTIES as Henry Carr. In 1968 he was nominated for a Tony for playing Guildenstern in Stoppard's ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD. Wood also created the role of A.E. Housman in Stoppard's THE INVENTION OF LOVE in 1997, a role which earned him an Olivier Award nomination. Wood was born in Derbyshire and studied law at Jesus College, Oxford. He was then cast in Stoppard's short play THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE: TEETH (#2.18). Stoppard enjoyed his performance and began to write specifically for Wood.In 1970, Wood won the Most Promising Actor award for his role in Harold Pinter's production of James Joyce's EXILES. He then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company where he played both Shakespearean and non-Shakespearean roles. In 1991 he received the London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in KING LEAR.
He was also praised for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes both in 1974 and in the New York revival, for which he received another Tony nomination. He then enjoyed a long run as Sidney Bruhl in DEATHTRAP. Wood's wide-ranging cinema career included significant roles in WarGames (1983), Ladyhawke (1985), Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), and Ian McKellen's Richard III (1995), Sabrina (1995), and The Revengers' Comedies (1997), among others.He is survived by his wife and four children.