Alec McCowen was an English actor who had a long and successful career in theatre, film, and television. He was best known for his roles in the films Frenzy and The Ruling Class, as well as his Tony Award-nominated performance in St. Mark's Gospel. He also appeared in many television series, including The Avengers, Doctor Who, and Minder. McCowen was highly respected by his peers and was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to drama.