The curtain has fallen on an incredible life as veteran actor Sam Dastor bids a final farewell at the age of 84. This remarkable man's seven-decade career in the performing arts will be remembered for its sheer breadth, depth, and electrifying energy – leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of theatre lovers.
Born in Mumbai with an innate passion for acting sparked by his arts-loving aunt, Dastor went on to hone his craft at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He swiftly made his mark in regional repertory theatres before joining Laurence Olivier's esteemed National Theatre – a highlight of his stage career was playing Ariel opposite Paul Scofield's Prospero in the 1974 Leeds Playhouse production of 'The Tempest', which later conquered the West End.
Dastor soon became an unmistakable figure on British television screens, starring in iconic dramas like 'I, Claudius' and 'Man of Straw'. His contributions to science fiction series such as 'Space: 1999' and 'Blake's 7' cemented his place in the hearts of sci-fi fans. A steadfast traditionalist at heart, Dastor believed wholeheartedly in Shakespeare's verse when spoken with clarity and skill – he even had the privilege of participating in a 1994 BBC radio production of 'King Lear', alongside his theatrical hero, Sir John Gielgud.
Facing challenges with typecasting, Dastor once wryly remarked that he was 'too Indian for English roles and sometimes too English for Indian ones'. However, he triumphantly fulfilled a long-held ambition to portray Mahatma Gandhi in the 1986 TV series 'Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy' and the 1998 film 'Jinnah'. As an audiobook narrator, Dastor lent his distinctive voice to works by celebrated authors such as E.M. Forster and Rudyard Kipling – a talent that kept him going until dementia forced his retirement in 2023.
Dastor's illustrious career also saw him take on roles in several plays by Simon Gray, including 'Cell Mates' in 1995, which was famously disrupted by Stephen Fry's departure during a bipolar episode. Dastor later publicly praised Rik Mayall's remarkable resilience in carrying on with the play. He leaves behind his devoted wife Angela Platten, stepdaughters Emma and Alice, daughter, and younger sister Yasmin.