The world of theatre and television has lost one of its most distinguished voices. Admired for his old-world charm and remarkable versatility, he built a career that spanned continents and decades, leaving audiences in awe wherever he performed.
Friends, colleagues, and admirers remember him as a man of immense talent, but also of grace and dignity.
From London stages to New York theatres, his presence was magnetic, and his influence shaped generations of actors who followed.
That man was Robin Chadwick, the acclaimed New Zealand–born actor, who passed away earlier this month in Weehawken, New Jersey, at the age of 85 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Rotorua in 1939, his journey began with a government scholarship to study at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
His breakthrough came in the 1970s when he starred in The Brothers, a hugely popular BBC drama, alongside Jean Anderson and Richard Easton. Known for his refined manners, one admirer once quipped: “We haven’t seen manners like yours since before the First World War.”
During his career, Chadwick appeared on stages across Europe, Asia, and eventually the United States, where he relocated in 1980. He performed both off-Broadway and on Broadway, sharing the stage with icons like Rex Harrison, Glynis Johns, and Nigel Hawthorne.
He also appeared on screen in Hollywood’s Julius Caesar (1970) alongside Charlton Heston, Christopher Lee, and Diana Rigg, and later in the American crime series New York Undercover in 1998, marking his final screen role.
The New York Times once hailed his performance in Mirandolina as “the stuff of indelible memory,” a testament to the artistry that defined his career. Beyond accolades, Robin Chadwick is remembered for his humility, dedication, and the timeless performances that continue to inspire.
