Career
He was an actor best known latterly for television and film work. Born in Tatabánya, 60 km from Budapest, Elès was orphaned during World World War II, and emigrated to England during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. He began his acting career on stage, and went on to appear in a host of television roles, the majority on Independent Television. These included the International Trade Commission series Danger Manitoba, The Baron, The Saint, Timeslip and Jason King.
He also made appearances in The Avengers, The Professionals,Strange Report and Upstairs, Downstairs.
Often cast in generic "foreigner" roles (diplomats, waiters, desk clerks), he most often played Frenchmen. Éles became a British citizen on 10 January 1977.
One of his most memorable film roles was as the mysterious Paul in the Brian Clemens thriller And Soon the Darkness. He also had major roles in the Hammer Horror movies and as well as appearing for four years in the 1980s as the scheming restaurant manager, Paul Ross, in the British television soap opera Crossroads.
In 1996, Elès returned to his cultural roots, appearing as the narrator in the Bartók opera, Bluebeard"s Castle.
The concert performances, given by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Haitink, were recorded for Civil Defense. Sandor Elès died in Kilburn, London NW6 on 10 September 2002 (aged 66), apparently from a heart attack.
