- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLeslie Michael Grantham
- Nickname
- Dirty Den
- Height6′ (1.83 m)
- Leslie Grantham was born on April 30, 1947 in Camberwell, London, England, UK. He was an actor and producer, known for EastEnders (1985), The Uninvited (1997) and Doctor Who (1963). He was married to Jane Laurie. He died on June 15, 2018 in Kensington, London, England, UK.
- SpouseJane Laurie(1981 - 2013) (divorced, 3 children)
- Children
- Like his character Colonel Mustard in the fourth season of Cluedo (1990), Grantham was a convicted murderer. While he was in the army, he shot West German taxi driver Felix Reese in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony on December 3, 1966, in the back of the head while attempting to rob him. He was convicted of murder in 1967 and sentenced to life imprisonment but only served ten years. While at Leyhill Prison in Gloucestershire, he met Louise Jameson who was working as a prison visitor in her spare time. She persuaded him to become an actor.
- Trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, whose alumni include Terence Stamp, Julia Ormond, Rupert Friend, Angela Lansbury, Matthew Goode, Daniel Hunt, Sue Johnston, Hugh Bonneville and Julian Fellowes.
- He loved football and was a West Ham United supporter. He also played cricket for a charity team called "The Bunburys".
- In May 2003, he signed a six-month deal to reprise his role as legendary character "Dirty Den", apparently killed and buried in 1989. He signed up to re-appear on screen in September 2003. He returned to BBC's Eastenders BBC1 8:00pm Monday 29th September 2003.
- He was ranked #12 in The 100 Greatest EastEnders (1985) Characters of All Time for his performance as Den Watts (2015).
- [Referring to Christopher Eccleston] I don't like the new Doctor Who (2005). I think it's the fact he had a northern accent.
- I think you could say Matthew Robinson and Doctor Who (1963) had a great influence on my career.
- EastEnders (1985) - £270,000 (2003 return)
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