Nicol Williamson (14 September 1936 – 16 December 2011) was a Scottish-born actor once described by English playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since Marlon Brando". He was also described by playwright Samuel Beckett as "Touched by genius" and viewed by many critics as "The Hamlet of his generation" during the late 1960's. He is best remembered on screen for his portrayal of the wizard Merlin in John Boorman's 1981 Arthurian epic, Excalibur. Many sources give an incorrect date of birth, stating that Nicol Williamson was born in 1938 rather than 1936.
Williamson was born in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, the son of a factory owner. His family later moved south to England and Williamson was educated at the Central Grammar School for Boys, Birmingham. He left school at 16 to begin work in his father's factory and later attended the Birmingham School of Speech & Drama. He recalled his time there as "a disaster" and claimed "it was nothing more than a finishing school for the daughters of local businessmen".
After his National Service as a gunner in the Airborne Division, Williamson made his professional debut with the Dundee Rep in 1960 and the following year appeared with the
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