William Squire, a renowned Welsh actor, was born on April 29, 1917, in Neath, South Wales, to William Squire and his wife Martha (née Bridgeman). He began his illustrious career in the world of stage acting, performing at prestigious venues such as Stratford-upon-Avon and the Old Vic.
One of his most notable stage roles was as King Arthur in the Broadway production of Camelot, replacing his fellow Welsh actor Richard Burton in the title role. Squire's stage credits also include performances in productions of Maxwell Anderson's play Anne of the Thousand Days and Robert Louis Stevenson's The Black Arrow.
In addition to his stage work, Squire made numerous film and television appearances throughout his career. One of his earliest film roles was in the 1956 epic film Alexander the Great, starring Richard Burton in the title role. He also played the role of Thomas More in the 1969 film adaptation of Anne of the Thousand Days, and appeared as Sir Daniel Brackley in the 1972 television adaptation of The Black Arrow.
Squire's voice work included the animated version of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, in which he provided the voice of Gandalf, and the 1979 Doctor Who serial The Armageddon Factor, in which he played the role of the Shadow.
Perhaps his most iconic role was as Hunter, the superior of secret agent David Callan in the 1970s spy series Callan. Squire took over the role from Derek Bond and brought a sense of gravitas and authority to the character.
In addition to his work in film and television, Squire was also involved in educational projects, including a series of Encyclopædia Britannica-produced films about William Shakespeare's Macbeth, in which he played the role of Macbeth. This was a fitting tribute to his long and distinguished career as a Shakespearean actor, which included roles in the classic 1960s TV series An Age of Kings.
