Michael Patrick Dumbell-Smith was born January 19, 1942, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He was raised by his mother, Doris, who was a window after her husband’s death in the Battle of Britain. Crawford received additional care from his grandmother, Edith.
It became obvious even from an early age Crawford was a special talent. Possessing a developed and beautiful singing voice as well as a natural knack for comedic timing, Crawford briefly served as a choirboy before participating in his school’s stage production of Let’s Make an Opera. Interestingly, his introduction into commercial acting was at the Scala Theatre with another production of that same play.
After a successful turn with Let’s Make an Opera, he was informed of an established British actor already bearing his name. Noticing an advertisement boasting "Crawford’s Biscuits Are Best," the name Michael Crawford was born.
His next stage outing was with the English Opera Group in Noye’s Fludde. He cites this as the time he truly realized acting was his passion. Continuing with live theater, Crawford appeared in numerous plays including everything from André Birabeau’s Head of the Family to William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Crawford also nurtured a flourishing radio career, appearing in upwards of 400 broadcasts. His eventual break into the television medium, therefore, was no surprise. The early years of his television career were dominated by family productions such as Sir Francis Drake, a twenty-six part miniseries geared toward children. To this end, he also appeared in Blow Your Trumpet and Soapbox Derby.
By 1962, Crawford was gaining international exposure. He was asked to partake in The War Lover with kings of cool Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner. This success led to a recurring role on the television show Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life and eventually The Knack…And How to Get It in 1965, which costarred Rita Tushingham and Ray Brooks.
Crawford’s notoriety was increasing, and with this professional boost came even more choice roles. Most notably, he co-starred in the musical farce A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. For this role, he acted alongside comic greats Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, and Buster Keaton. Proving he could work in many different genres with many different people, he also appeared in How I Won the War with John Lennon.
During this time period, he met and married actress Gabrielle Lewis. Although the couple eventually divorced ten years later in 1975, they had two daughters together, Emma and Lucy.
By 1967, Crawford’s love for live theater finally landed him on Broadway alongside Lynn Redgrave in Black Comedy/White Lies. Crawford caught the attention of dancer and sometimes director Gene Kelly, and he was cast in Kelly’s new film Hello, Dolly. Acting beside A-list celebrities Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau, Crawford earned even more widespread exposure.
But it was 1973 that would bring his well-known and beloved role of Frank Spencer in the British television series Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. He would continue the role until 1978.
After the end of this tremendously popular series, Crawford once again dedicated much of his acting to the stage. While he appeared in a variety of productions, including Barnum, he is most remembered for his role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. While playing the Phantom, Crawford won tremendous critical acclaim including both the Olivier Award and the Tony Award.
Crawford has recently suffered from several health issues and has consequently slowed his career. Currently, he focuses primarily on his singing. He is also heavily involved in various charities.
YUDDY
