Basil Dignam (24 October 1905 – 31 January 1979) was an English character actor.^[2]

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Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Basil Dignam
in The Prisoner: Checkmate (1967)
Born	Basil Martin Dignam[1] (1905-10-24)24 October 1905 Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	31 January 1979(1979-01-31) (aged 73) Westminster, London, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1938–1978
Spouse	Mona Washbourne (1940–1979) (his death)

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Basil Dignam was born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire. Before the acting, he tried many jobs, from a company clerk to a journalist. He acted on film and television between 1948 and 1978.^[2] He often appeared as an authority figure, such as Mr Justice Poynter in Crown Court, as a police officer, army general or peer.^[3] Television appearances include The Prisoner: Checkmate (1967) and The Champions (1968), as Sir Frederick in episode 2 "The Invisible Man".

He was married to actress Mona Washbourne from 1940 until his death in 1979.^[4] His brother Mark Dignam was also a professional actor.^[4] Basil Dignam died, aged 73, in Westminster, London.