Billy Murray (actor)
Billy Murray | |
---|---|
Born | William Albert Murray 6 October 1941 Forest Gate, Essex, England |
Alma mater | East 15 Acting School |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1963–present |
Spouse(s) | Maureen (divorced) Elaine Hoyer (?–present) |
Children | 4, including Jaime Murray |
William Albert Murray (born 6 October 1941)
Often known for portraying "hard man" characters, he has also starred in McVicar (1980), Essex Boys (2000), One in the Chamber (2012), We Still Steal the Old Way (2016), Nemesis (2021) and the Rise of the Footsoldier film series (2007–2021).
Early life
Murray was born in
Career
Murray made his acting debut in the 1963 film
In 1995, he took on the role of DS
In late 2004, he joined the cast of BBC soap opera EastEnders and played gangland figure Johnny Allen. This was Murray's second role within the series, as he previously appeared as loan shark Mr. X for two episodes in 1991. Murray's character as Johnny Allen made his first appearance on 4 January 2005, and became the show's main antagonist upon terrorizing numerous characters on the programme - including Peggy Mitchell; her sons Phil Mitchell and Grant Mitchell; their cousin Billy Mitchell, whom Johnny initially employed in his criminal empire; Phil and Grant's ex-lover Sharon Watts; her godmother Pauline Fowler; his daughter's best friend Stacey Slater; and even his own henchman Jake Moon. During his time on the show, Johnny killed fellow mob boss Andy Hunter on the show's 20th anniversary episode by throwing him from a motorway bridge. His character later arranged for Jake's brother Danny Moon to kill Sharon's husband Dennis Rickman on New Year's Eve 2005. He departed from the show in March 2006 when his character was jailed after his daughter Ruby Allen forced him to confess to having Dennis murdered and killing Andy himself. He made a brief return to EastEnders in October 2006 when his character was killed off after he succumbed to a heart attack in prison, though not before trying to arrange the death of Ruby's boyfriend and Stacey's brother Sean Slater upon learning that he plans to extract her family assets. For his performance as Johnny Allen Murray won the 'Best Villain' award at the British Soap Awards in May 2006.
Following his departure from EastEnders, Murray appeared in several British films such as Rollin' with the Nines (2006), Doghouse (2009) and Dead Cert (2010).[6][7] He also played Mickey Steele in three films from the Rise of the Footsoldier film series, those being Rise of the Footsoldier (2007), Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story (2017) and Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins (2021).
He also provided the voice of Captain John Price in the video games Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) and fronted the adverts for Injury Lawyers 4 U, a compensation claims company in the UK.[8]
Murray's later career has mainly consisted of film roles, including The Rise and Fall of a White Collar Hooligan (2012), One in the Chamber (2012) and We Still Steal the Old Way (2016). He headlined the crime film Nemesis (2021) and starred alongside Lee Majors, Danny Trejo and Ian Ogilvy in the action-thriller film Renegades (2022).
Personal life
Murray has four children. A son and daughter from his first marriage to Maureen, and two daughters from his second marriage to Elaine.[1] Jaime Murray, one of his daughters from his second marriage is an actress who is best known for starring in the television series Hustle, as well as playing Lila Tournay in season two of Dexter.
In 1998, Murray appeared in court after he and 3 other men allegedly attacked two men who they believed were supplying drugs to their daughters.
In April 2011, it was reported that Murray had been charged with assault of his wife and daughter.[12] In July 2011, it was confirmed that the assault case against Murray had been dropped.[13]
Outside of acting, Murray is involved in property investment and owns and rents out lock-ups, flats and garages across East London.[14]
He is a West Ham United football club fan,[15] and a supporter of the Conservative Party.[16]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | The Wrong Arm of the Law | Crook at Syndicate Meeting | Uncredited |
1963 | What a Crazy World | Youth at Dance | Uncredited |
1965 | Two Left Feet | Gang Member | Uncredited |
1967 | Poor Cow | Tom's mate | |
1968 | Up the Junction | Ray | |
1968 | Corruption | Rik | |
1970 | Performance | Thug | |
1980 | McVicar | Joey Davis | |
1991 | Buddy's Song | Harry | |
2000 | Essex Boys | Perry Elley | |
2004 | One Man and His Dog | D.C. Stevens | |
2005 | Hell to Pay | Larry Malone | |
2006 | Rollin' with the Nines | David Brumby | |
2007 | Rise of the Footsoldier | Mickey Steele | |
2009 | Doghouse | Colonel | |
2010 | Just for the Record | Wilson Barnes | |
2010 | Dead Cert | Dante Livenko | |
2010 | Stalker | Robert | |
2010 | Freight | Gabe Taylor | |
2010 | The Rapture | DI Bowden | |
2011 | How to Stop Being a Loser | Dr. Leaner | |
2012 | Strippers vs Werewolves | Jack Ferris | |
2012 | The Rise and Fall of a White Collar Hooligan | Mr. Robinson | |
2012 | One in the Chamber | Leo Crosby | |
2012 | Acceptance | Eric | |
2012 | Airborne | Cutter | |
2013 | Essex Boys Retribution | Prisoner | |
2014 | What's the Score? | The Producer | |
2014 | The Disappearance of Lenka Wood | Draper | |
2016 | We Still Steal the Old Way | Vic Farrow | |
2017 | Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story | Mickey Steele | |
2020 | Vengeance | Eric | |
2021 | Nemesis | John Morgan | |
2021 | Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins | Mickey Steele | |
2022 | Renegades | Woody |
Television
Year | Title | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1967 | Vendetta | Corsican Rebel | Episode: "The Revolutionary Man" |
1967 | Trapped | Gerry | Episode: "Trapped: Au Pair Swedish Style" |
1969 | ITV Sunday Night Theatre | Eric | Episode: "Steve" |
1969 | The Root of All Evil? | Terry Milward | Episode: "The Long Sixpence" |
1970 | A Family at War | Corporal Dewey | Episode: "The Breach in the Dyke" |
1970 | Menace | Luke | Episode: "The Elimination" |
1971 | ITV Sunday Night Theatre | Jim | Episode: "The Silver Collection" |
1971 | Softly, Softly | Georgie Benson | Episode: "Better Than Doing Porridge" |
1972 | ITV Sunday Night Theatre | Welder | Episode: "Time Lock" |
1972 | New Scotland Yard | George Read | Episode: "The Wrong-Un" |
1973 | Barlow | Culver | Episode: "Informant" |
1973 | Two Women | Clorindo | Episode: #1.4 |
1973 | Marked Personal | Don Bannion | 2 episodes |
1974 | New Scotland Yard | Charlie Palmer | Episode: "All That Glitters" |
1975 | The Sweeney | Brian Cooney | Episode: "Stoppo Driver" |
1975 | Suzi's Plan | Bert | Television film |
1976 | Rock Follies | Spike | 6 episodes |
1976 | Barney's Last Battle | Les Palmer | Television film |
1977 | Target | Rex Adcock | Episode: "Roadrunner" |
1977 | Rock Follies of '77 | Spike | 5 episodes |
1979 | Hazell | Big Dave Castle | Episode: "Hazell Gets the Boot" |
1979 | Kids | Dave Buckley | Episode: "Laurie" |
1979 | The Professionals | Morgan | Episode: "Runner" |
1981 | Honky Tonk Heroes | Dennis | Episode: "It's Only Make Believe" |
1981 | Private Schulz
|
Fred | Episode: #1.6 |
1982 | Saturday Night Thriller | Bernie | Episode: "Grass" |
1983 | Jemima Shore Investigates | Billy Standen | Episode: "A Promising Death" |
1984 | Crown Court | Det. Insp. Minshull | Episode: "Whisper Who Dares: Part 1" |
1984 | Missing from Home | Chief Insp. Marsden | Episode: #1.1 |
1984 | Letty | Eddie Waite | 2 episodes |
1985 | Dempsey and Makepeace | Billy Kennaway | Episode: "The Hit" |
1984–1989 | Minder | Charlie Pope
Mick |
2 episodes |
1989–1990 | The Bill | DI Jackman | 2 episodes |
1991 | Bergerac | John Kelp | Episode: "The Lohans" |
1992 | Casualty | Don Collins | Episode: "Cascade" |
1992 | The Ruth Rendell Mysteries | Gunner Jones | Episode: "Kissing the Gunner's Daughter: Part One" |
1995 | A Touch of Frost
|
Bill Boxley | Episode: "No Refuge" |
1995–2004 | The Bill | DS Don Beech
|
186 episodes |
2000 | ITV Panto: Aladdin | Police Chief | Television film |
2001 | Beech is Back | DS Don Beech | 6 episodes |
2004 | Doctors | Larry Baker | Episode: "My Stepmother the Alien" |
1991–2006 | EastEnders | Johnny Allen | 149 episodes |
2007 | The Grey Man | George Rowlands | Television film |
2017 | Ransom's Law | Ewan Ransom | 6 episodes |
Video games
Year | Title | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Captain John Price
|
Voice |
2009 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | ||
2011 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | ||
2023 | Rise of the Footsoldier: The Mobile Game | Narrator |
References
- ^ a b c d "Trial nearly sent me mad. I slept rough & had a nervous breakdown. The Bill saved me; THE BIG GARRY BUSHELL INTERVIEW WITH BILLY MURRAY. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Billy Murray | the Newham Story". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ Daily Mirror, 23 January 2005.
- ^ "The debt Murray owes to the Krays.(News)". The People (London, England). 27 December 1998. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ Clarke, Steve (27 September 1998). "ONLY FACTS and HORSES". Daily Mirror. CNET. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ^ "AFM '09: Latest Vamp Pic 'Dead Cert' Now Filming - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "AFM '09: Vampire Attack in Hi-Res 'Dead Cert' Pics - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody-disgusting.com. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Injury Claim Help from Personal Injury Solicitors | InjuryLawyers4U". Archived from the original on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Bill Star Was Right to Give Me Good Hiding Says Junkie". The People (London, England). 27 December 1998. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Tears as TV star in court". Birmingham Evening Mail (England). 9 May 1998. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ Carter, Helen (23 December 1998). "Police actor is cleared of assault". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "EastEnders actor Billy Murray charged with beating his wife and daughter". Mirror.co.uk. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "'EastEnders' Billy Murray assault case dropped". Digitalspy.co.uk. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "THE GARRY BUSHELL INTERVIEW: I'M AN EASTSLENDER". Mirror.co.uk. 13 February 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ Biography for Billy Murray (I), IMDb
- ^ Celebrity X Factor – News. People. (28 March 2010). Retrieved 1 January 2011.
External links
- Billy Murray at IMDb
- Billy Murray's EastEnders Profile
- The compensation claims company Billy Murray fronts