Quite a few to choose from in ‘Y’, and most of them have the surname ‘Young’. So, I will limit my choices to just three this time, leaving room for you to add your favourites.

Susannah York was a British actress who rose to fame during the period known as ‘The Swinging Sixties’. She graduated from RADA in London, in 1958, and was soon starting out on a long stage and film career, with her first film role in ‘Tunes Of Glory’ (1960), which starred Alec Guinness. The following year she starred opposite Kenneth More in ‘The Greengage Summer’, and later appeared in the award winning film ‘Tom Jones’ (1963). During this time she also appeared regularly on television dramas in the UK, and in stage productions too. In 1968, she co-starred as the young lesbian lover of Beryl Reid, in the landmark film ‘The Killing Of Sister George’, and the following year won a BAFTA for her role in ‘They Shoot Horses Don’t they?’
She continued to work until 2009, with her last film part in ‘The Calling’. Sadly dying of Cancer in 2011, at the age of 72.

American Robert Young will be known to many as the kindly doctor from the television series ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.’, but he had a very long career. Starting out in local theatres, and as an extra in silent films, he was signed by MGM, and appeared in a ‘Charlie Chan’ film in 1931, the first of over 100 more film roles. Although he rarely starred, his support was always notable, and he was also used to fill spots in many ‘B’ films, used for the popular ‘double features’ of the time. Some of his many film appearances include ‘Western Union’ (1941), ‘The Canterville Ghost’ (1944), and ‘The Forsyte saga’ (1949). But he will undoubtedly be best-remembered for his long-running TV series. He died in 1998.

Michael York is an English actor, and star of many well-known films. He began in theatre, and later worked in both films and on television. Well-spoken, he frequently played in period dramas, and was often cast as the typical English gentleman. From 1967, until becoming ill in 2013, he rarely stopped working, and his list of credits includes Losey’s film ‘Accident’ (1967), ‘Zeppelin’ (1971), and ‘Cabaret’ (1972), with a starring role opposite Liza Minnelli. He also starred in ‘Logan’s Run’ (1975), ‘The Riddle Of The Sands’ (1979), and ‘The Return Of The Musketeers’ (1989). His career was later reinvigorated, when he appeared with Mike Myers in all three of the ‘Austin Powers’ films.

I had to give up on this one, to be honest. Even the Chinese actors I know didn’t have ‘X’ surnames. But I wanted to leave the post open for you, in case you were saving one for this letter!

So, if you can think of any of your favourite actors whose surname starts with an ‘X’, please add them in the comments.

Close to the end now, and lots of choices with ‘W’. I will be featuring one very famous actor in this letter, as well as three others perhaps not so famous, to leave room for your selections and favourites.

Starting today with English ‘tough-guy’ actor, Ray Winstone. A former youth boxer, and a genuine East End boy, he started out at theatre school in London, before being catapulted to fame with his chilling role as Carlin, in the BBC production of the Borstal (youth prison) drama, ‘Scum’, a play so powerful it was not shown on television at the time. It was later filmed in 1979, and given a cinema release, with Ray playing the same part. That same year, he appeared in ‘Quadrophenia’, as well as continuing to work in television series. Despite taking on so many hard man roles, he also tackled difficult areas, such as domestic abuse in ‘Nil By Mouth’ (1997), and incest, in the harrowing ‘The War Zone’ (1999). He has rarely stopped working, with so many supporting or starring film roles, including ‘Sexy Beast’ (2000), ‘Ripley’s Game’ (2002), ‘Cold Mountain’ (2003), and ‘King Arthur’ (2004). Since then, he has appeared in more than forty other films, including Scorsese’s ‘The Departed’ (2006).

English actress Billie Whitelaw started work as a child actress in the 1940s, and worked in every area of acting, until 2007. Early stage work featured many notable collaborations with Samuel Beckett, and working as part of The National Theatre company. Her film career began in 1953, and she was in many British films of the period, with a role in the famous ‘Carve Her Name With Pride’ (1958). During the 1960s, she appeared in twelve films, including ‘Payroll’ (1961), ‘No Love For Johnnie’ that same year, and ‘Charlie Bubbles’ (1967), starring opposite Albert Finney. In 1972, she appeared in Hitchcock’s last film, ‘Frenzy’, and four years later as the evil housekeeper in ‘The Omen’ (1976). Then in 1990, she played the mother of the notorious twin gangsters, in ‘The Krays’. Her final role was in Simon Pegg’s 2007 comedy, ‘Hot Fuzz’. She died seven years later, in 2014.

American character actor M. Emmett Walsh has a distinctive look, and has made a few unforgettable appearances in some excellent films, as well as on television. You might think you don’t know the name, but look him up, and you will certainly know the face. You will know the films too, including some of the most highly acclaimed in modern cinema. ‘Midnight Cowboy’ (1969), ‘Little Big Man’ (1970), ‘Serpico’ (1973), and ‘The Jerk’ (1979). He went on to appear in ‘Blade Runner’ (1982), ‘Silkwood’ (1983), ‘Blood Simple’, the 1984 film by the Coen Brothers, and ‘Raising Arizona’ (1987). Since then, he has been in over sixty five other films, including a standout role in ‘Calvary’ (2014). He is still working, at the age of 83.

No apologies for choosing someone famous as my last offering in ‘W’, as he is one of my all time favourite actors, as well as being a much lauded director. For me, the marvellous Orson Welles can do no wrong. I have never not liked him in a single role he has played, and some of his films I have watched over and over again, including ‘The Third Man’ (1949), ‘(Touch Of Evil’ (1958), and ‘Chimes At Midnight’ (1965). His career was long, and his roles too many to list, but they of course include the legendary ‘Citizen Kane’ (1941), ‘The Magnificent Ambersons’ (1942), ‘Jane Eyre’ (1943), ‘The Stranger’ (1946), and ‘Macbeth’ (1948). In 1959, he played the crusading lawyer in ‘Compulsion’, and in 1970, the French King Louis, in the epic ‘Waterloo’. He continued to work until his death in 1985, leaving behind what is arguably one of the greatest legacies in all of cinema history.

Sorry to have dragged this one out for so long. Now up to ‘T’, and lots to choose from. I will try to avoid the most obvious choices, as usual.

Rita Tushingham has had a long career. The British actress started out in Stage School, but she soon had a starring role in the film ‘A Taste Of Honey’ (1961), when still in her teens. She went on to appear in ‘The Leather Boys’ (1964), whilst also working regularly on television here. In 1965, she appeared in David Lean’s epic, ‘Doctor Zhivago’, as well as the ‘Swinging Sixties’ comedy ‘The Knack’, with Michael Crawford. Following that, she continued to appear in mainly British productions, occasionally working on international films, including ‘Being Julia’ (2004). Now aged 76, she is still active, most recently in TV drama.

One of my favourite actresses, Kristin Scott Thomas has won numerous awards, and was made a Dame, in 2015. After going to work as an Au Pair in Paris in her teens, she later studied acting there, and speaks fluent French. This has enabled her to appear in many outstanding modern French films. Her award winning debut was in the film ‘A Handful Of Dust’ (1988), followed some years later by her BAFTA-winning role in the highly successful ‘Four Weddings And A Funeral'(1994). In 1996 she received no less than seven nominations for her role in ‘The English Patient’, and further critical acclaim for ‘Gosford Park’ (2001). If you have never seen her act in French, then I recommend the outstanding ‘I Have Loved You So Long’, another award-winning performance, from 2008. Since then, she has been in twenty-four other films, as well as acting on the stage in Britain, France, and America. Still only 58 years old, I am sure we will see much more of her in the future.

John Turturro is an American actor with distinctive looks, and an acting style that matches them. He has appeared in more than sixty films, and worked with some of the most famous modern film-makers, including collaborations with The Coen Brothers, and Spike Lee. Although best known for film roles, the New Yorker has also worked on stage, and in various television shows. His credits include some of the most popular modern films ever made, beginning in 1980 with a role as an extra in ‘Raging Bull’, through to ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ (1985), and ‘Hannah And Her Sisters’ (1996). In 1989, he stood out in ‘Do The Right Thing’, and received praise for ‘Miller’s Crossing’ (1990). The following year he won Best Actor awards for ‘Barton Fink’, and then more nominations for ‘Quiz Show’, in 1994. More Coen Brothers films continued, with ‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998), and ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou?’ (2000). He has been in many other films since then, and his latest one is awaiting release.

A French actor next, and the star of one of my personal top ten films, Jean-Louis Trintignant. Now 87 years old, and still working, he made his stage debut in 1951, before I was born. He has made films in French, Italian, and English, and has worked with many of the leading directors too, from the French New Wave, to the films of Krzysztof Kieślowski. With such a huge body of work behind him, I will not even try to list all of his most famous films, but here are a few of them. ‘A Man And A Woman’ (1966), ‘Les Biches’ (1968), ‘The Conformist’ (1970), and ‘Confidentially Yours’ (1983). Later films include ‘Three Colours: Red’ (1994), ‘Fiesta’ (1995), and ‘Amour’ (2012), for which he won three Best Actor awards.

Last today is another American, Billy Bob Thornton. As well as acting, he writes and directs films too, including two of his best, ‘One False Move’ (1992), and the marvellous ‘Sling Blade’ (1996). A talented actor who has taken on everything from crime to comedy, even the space adventure ‘Armageddon’ (1998), and has also released four albums of music. You are sure to have seen him in something, even if you don’t know his name. ‘Tombstone’ (1993), ‘U-Turn’ (1997), and ‘Pushing Tin’ (1997). Then came ‘Monster’s Ball’ (2001), ‘The Man Who Wasn’t There’ (2001), and ‘Bad Santa’ (2003). The following year, he played Davy Crockett, in the remake of ‘The Alamo’, and was in ‘Eagle Eye’ in 2008. As well as appearing in the TV series of ‘Fargo’, he continues to make films, with his most recent released in 2018.

Back to this alphabet series, with ‘S’. As usual, I will try to avoid the most obvious choices, and leave room for you to add your favourites in the comments.

Londoner Timothy Spall got his big break on a popular television series in Britain, in 1983. Before that, he had trained at The National Youth Theatre, and enjoyed a stage career including his time with The Royal Shakespeare Company, and a first film role in ‘Quadrophenia’ (1979). He went on to work with director Mike Leigh on ‘Life Is Sweet’ (1991), ‘Secrets and Lies’ (1996, and ‘Topsy Turvy’ (1999). Films outside Britain included ‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001), ‘The Last Samurai’ (2003), and ‘Appaloosa’ (2008). He has portrayed the character of Peter Pettigrew in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, and in 2014 received various awards and nominations for the lead role in the film ‘Mr Turner’, a biopic of the famous English painter. Since then, he has appeared in nine more films, as well as continuing to work on television both as an actor, and as a presenter of documentary programmes. Something of a British institution by now, and still only 61 years old.

Polish-born German actress, Hanna Schygulla, captivated me with her sultry looks in the film ‘The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant’ in 1972, and seven years later, she was gorgeous in ‘The Marriage of Maria Braun’ too. She could act as well, so got her entry into this section without hesitation. I soon started to try to find more films to watch her in, and discovered ‘Rio Das Mortes’ (1970), another collaboration with Fassbinder. Work with another famous German film-maker, Wim Wenders, led me to ‘The Wrong Move’ (1975), and I was fast becoming one of the biggest fans of an actress very few people outside of Germany seemed to have heard of. Then in 1983, she won the award for Best Actress at Cannes, with her role in ‘The Story of Piera’, alongside Isabelle Huppert and Marcello Mastroianni. After that, her career was hit and miss, appearing in many English-language films, as well as continuing to appear on German television, and in European films. She is still working, aged 74.

Harry Dean Stanton died last year, and that was a loss to acting, undoubtedly. But he left a legacy of sixty years of work behind him, including so many memorable character parts, and leading roles. He had served during WW2, and lived to the great age of 91. His film career reads like a list of some of the best films ever over a forty-year period, and I doubt there are many readers of this blog who would not know his name, or recognise his distinctive features. From his first uncredited role in a western in 1957, he went on to appear in ‘Pork Chop Hill’ (1959), and ‘How The West Was Won’ (1962). Parts in ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967), and ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ (1970) followed, but Harry still had to wait for a breakout role to give him a memorable leading man performance. That came in 1984, with Wim Wender’s haunting ‘Paris, Texas’, followed by Alex Cox’s film ‘Repo Man’, in the same year. The list goes on, with ‘Pretty In Pink’ (1986), ‘The Straight Story’ (1999), ‘The Green Mile’ (1999), and ‘Inland Empire’ (2006). With a successful television career running alongside his film roles, his body of work was enormous.

English actor Rufus Sewell has enjoyed a successful career in the theatre, as well as on television, and in films. Still just fifty years old, we can no doubt expect more from him in the years to come. He has performed in many historical and period dramas, including the adaptation of ‘Middlemarch’ on TV, and as Charles II in a BBC series, whilst continuing to impress audiences with his stage roles too. Recent TV roles include Lord Melbourne in the BBC serial ‘Victoria’, and a German SS officer in the streamed series ‘The Man In The High Castle’. Film roles include ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ (1995), ‘Dark City’ (1998), ‘A Knight’s Tale’ (2001), and ‘The Illusionist’ (2006). He is still working in every area of acting, and his latest film is due for release.

Tilda Swinton is a British actress known for her androgynous looks, and award-winning roles. Her early collaborations with the avant-garde film maker Derek Jarman got her noticed in films like ‘Caravaggio’ (1986), and ‘The Last Of England’ (1988). She went on to appear in many of Jarman’s experimental films, before embarking on a more mainstream career with the film ‘Female Perversions’ in 1996. Since then, she has worked with many of the leading modern directors, in an assortment of roles, and won numerous awards in the process. Well-known films she has appeared in include ‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001), ‘Constantine’ (2005), ‘Michael Clayton’ (2007), and ‘The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button’ (2008). She is still very busy, and has two films awaiting release.