Bill Dean
ActingAbout Bill Dean
Bill Dean was a British actor who was born in Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire. He was born Patrick Anthony Connolly, but took his stage name in honour of Everton football legend William 'Dixie' Dean. After a atring of jobs, it was his work as a Lancashire club comedian that saw him spotted by Ken Loach who gave him his breakthrough role in his TV play The Golden Vision. Famous for his flat but penetrating Scouse tones, Dean went on to star as miserable pensioner Harry Cross in the long running Channel 4 soap Brookside from its inception in 1983 to 1990. He briefly returned to the series in 1999 for three episodes, when his character re-appeared in Brookside Close suffering from Alzheimer's disease and wrongly believing that he still lived there. The same character was the inspiration behind the 1980s group 'Jegsy Dodd and the sons of Harry Cross' who hailed from the Wirral and Dean himself appeared in the video of the Liverpudlian band The Farm's Groovy Train as Cross, who was a former train driver. He did of a heart attack aged 78 in 2000.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Bill Dean reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 32 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Bill Dean's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 22% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Bill Dean remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Going Gently, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Bill Dean Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Bill Dean's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Bill Dean.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Brookside: Friday the 13th | Harold Cross | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Hillsborough | Additional Cast | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Priest | Altar Boy | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Skallagrigg | Old Man | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | Let Him Have It | Foreman of the Jury | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Slayground | Compere | Flop | Similar → |
| 1981 | Going Gently | Painter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | A Turn for the Worse | (voice) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1980 | Rising Damp | Workman | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Mirror Crack'd | Man in Village Hall (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1979 | Scum | Mr Duke | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Night People | Ted | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | Freedom of the Dig | Sid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | Beasts: What Big Eyes | Duggie Jeb | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | Bag of Yeast | Teddy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Break In | Dixie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | In Sickness and in Health | Mr Jackson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Waiting at the Field Gate | Ted | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Flame | Club Owner (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Match of the Day | Father | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Night Watch | Inspector Walker | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Speech Day | George | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Best Pair of Legs in the Business | Bert | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Bank Holiday | Father | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | Gumshoe | Tommy Wright | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Family Life | Mr. Baildon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | After a Lifetime | Uncle Sid | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | The Rank and File | Billy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Roll On Four O'Clock | Arthur Foster | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Kes | Fish and Chip Shop Man | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Big Flame | Landlord | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Golden Vision | John Coyne | Flop | Similar → |
Bill Dean - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Bill Dean?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bill Dean is "Going Gently" with a rating of 7.5/10.
How many movies has Bill Dean acted in?
Bill Dean has been featured in at least 32 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Bill Dean?
Other notable films include "Kes", "Family Life", and "Flame".