John Swindells

Born: 1931-06-22 in Liverpool, England, UK

Died: 2026-02-11

Known For: Acting

Biography

John Swindells, a Liverpool native and former student of Quarry Bank Grammar School and Liverpool College of Art, established his international career in the arts. Settled in Victoria, B.C., since 1973, he's known for leading roles across UK stages, Toronto, Canadian theatres, and even in New York and US regional theatres. His work spans television, including 65 episodes of “Z.Cars” as Sgt Ted Bowman (BBC, 1970-1973) and a role as Inspector Ted Bowman in CBC’s “Side Street” (1977-1980). He portrayed J.E.H. McDonald in CBC’s “The Passionate Canadians,” which focused on the "Group of Seven" artists. He made a guest appearance in “B.L. Stryker” (US). Swindells notably played First Technician in Stanley Kubrick's landmark film “2001: A Space Odyssey”. His biography is included in “Who’s Who in the Theatre, Contemporary Stage, Film, and Television” (1983).

Filmography

1995

The Donor as Armand Perris
Butterbox Babies as Judge Doull

1992

The Women of Windsor as Police Instructor

1989

Passion and Paradise as Col. R.A. Erskine Lindop
Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics as Ned

1977

Age of Innocence as Griffen

1971

Assault as Desk Sergeant

1970

Shadows of Fear as Postman

1968

2001: A Space Odyssey as TMA-1 Site Technician #1 (uncredited)