Michael Brandon (born Michael Feldman; April 20, 1945) is an American actor. He is known for his role as James Dempsey on the British drama series Dempsey and Makepeace (1985âÂÂ86) and narrating the American dub of the children's television series Thomas & Friends (2004âÂÂ12). His theatre credits include the original Broadway production of Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? (1969), and Jerry Springer in the West End production of ' (2003âÂÂ2004).
Brandon has starred in films including Lovers and Other Strangers (1970), Jennifer on My Mind (1971), Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971), FM (1978), Promises in the Dark (1979), A Change of Seasons (1980), Rich and Famous (1981) and ' (2011). He also acted in the TV movies The Third Girl from the Left (1973), Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975), James Dean (1976), Deadly Messages (1985), The Lost Battalion (2001) and Hawking (2004).
Brandon was born Michael Feldman in Brooklyn, New York on April 20, 1945, to Jewish parents Miriam (née Tumen) and Sol Feldman. At age nine, he and his family moved to Valley Stream, New York, where he attended Memorial Junior High and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School. Brandon then attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his debut on Broadway before turning to cinema. He is of Jewish heritage.
Brandon starred in the TV series Dempsey and Makepeace and Dinotopia, the movies Lovers and Other Strangers (1970), Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971), F.M. (1978), A Vacation In Hell (1979) and A Change of Seasons (1980), and the plays Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and Jerry Springer - The Opera.
Since moving to the UK, Brandon has worked in television shows such as The Bill, Trial & Retribution, and Dead Man Weds. He also played the title role in the musical ' for over a year in the National Theatre and after its transfer into the West End. Brandon starred in Singin' in the Rain in the summer of 2012.
In 2004, he became the fourth American narrator and Alec Baldwin's replacement from the seventh through the sixteenth seasons of the children's television series Thomas & Friends and has also narrated four of the CGI film specials, including Hero of the Rails, Misty Island Rescue, , and Blue Mountain Mystery, until departing from the role in 2012. In February 2008, he began his talk radio show on City Talk (now Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West), a new local radio station in Liverpool. In 2008, he appeared in the Series 4 finale of the BBC's Doctor Who, as General Sanchez, a UNIT officer. Also in 2008, he appeared in the television series Bones, as Roger Frampton, an American millionaire.
In 2011, Brandon guest-starred in an episode of the BBC1 con drama Hustle as Marcus Wendell (series 7, episode 3). Also in 2011, he was seen in a supporting role in the film ' as a politician who befriends the titular character. In September 2013 he appeared in the ITV dancing show Stepping Out with wife Glynis Barber. In 2017, he collaborated with producer/director Guy Masterson to create his autobiographical stand-up comedy, Off Ramps which hit at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2022, he appeared in an episode of Casualty on BBC1.
Brandon lived with actress Kim Novak for 18 months in 1973âÂÂ74. Brandon was married to actress Lindsay Wagner from 1976 to 1979. He has been married to actress Glynis Barber, with whom he co-starred in Dempsey & Makepeace, since 18 November 1989. The couple have a son, and live in London.