Biography
Anthony Bate (31 August 1927 – 19 June 2012) was an English actor. He was born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, and educated at King Edward VI School there before training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where he won the gold medal. He began his professional career in 1953, working in repertory theatre before making his West End debut in 1960.
Bate appeared in numerous British television series and adaptations. He is best known for playing Oliver Lacon (or Sir Oliver Lacon) in the BBC adaptations of John le Carré's novels Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) and Smiley's People (1982). Other notable television roles include Kim Philby in Philby, Burgess and Maclean (1977) and Bret Rensselaer in Game, Set and Match (1988). He also appeared in series such as Agatha Christie's Poirot, Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost and Midsomer Murders.
