Education
Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, he attended Saint Edward"s College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre.
Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, he attended Saint Edward"s College and worked as an insurance assessor before going into the theatre.
He was the husband of actress Dame Judi Dench. His first film appearance was in 1962, and he subsequently appeared frequently on television (notably in Elizabeth R), and in British films such as Educating Rita (1983) and (along with Dench) Henry V (1989). In the latter, in perhaps an irresistible casting decision, he played his namesake, the Shakespearean character named Michael Williams.
In 1967, he played in Peter Whitehead"s documentary Benefit of the Doubt on Peter Brook"s anti-Vietnam play "United States", along with Peter Brook and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His many radio roles included crime reporter George Cragge in In the Red and its sequels, and Doctor Watson in the British Broadcasting Corporation"s complete run of Sherlock Holmes adaptations. Williams provided voices for the Woodland Animations British Broadcasting Corporation Television series Charlie Chalk, created by Ivor Wood.
Principal stage appearances. Mostly with the Royal Shakespeare Company:
Also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company"s Theatre-Go-Round Festival, Round House Theatre, London, 1970.