Nosher Powell
Overview
- Birth name George Frederick Bernard Powell
- Occupation Stunts
- Also Actor
- Birth date August 15, 1928
- Birth place Camberwell, London, England
- Died April 20, 2013 (London, England)
Biography
Fred “Nosher” Powell was a legendary British stuntman and actor, best known for his extensive work in the James Bond film series. Beginning his film career in 1944, Powell became a key figure behind the scenes, performing stunts in 14 Bond films, from “From Russia with Love” (1963) to “Licence to Kill” (1989). His physical prowess and fearless approach made him a favorite among directors and a staple of the franchise during its golden era.
Born in wartime London, his childhood was marked by the hardship of evacuation after his family home was destroyed in the Blitz. Returning to the capital, he turned to boxing, quickly rising through the ranks and sharing the ring with legends like Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Muhammad Ali. His imposing physique and sharp wit earned him a lasting nickname and a reputation as one of Britain’s top heavyweights.
Beyond Bond, Powell contributed to numerous other films, including “Willow” (1988), “First Knight” (1995), and “Legionnaire” (1998). His versatility extended to acting, with notable appearances in “Eat the Rich” (1987) and “The Krays” (1990). Powell’s legacy endures as one of cinema’s most daring and respected stuntmen, embodying the spirit of classic action filmmaking.
Selected films
- Oliver Twist – 1948
- Caesar and Cleopatra – 1945
- The Blue Lamp – 1950
- The Crimson Pirate – 1952
- Gladiators – 1954
- The Dam Busters – 1955
- The Bridge on the River Kwai – 1957
- A Night to Remember – 1958
- Ben-Hur – 1959
- Exodus – 1960
- The Guns of Navarone – 1961
- Lawrence of Arabia – 1962
- Cleopatra – 1963
- Becket – 1964
- Goldfinger – 1964
- Zulu – 1964
- Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines – 1965
- Khartoum – 1966
- Casino Royale – 1967
- The Dirty Dozen – 1967
- Oliver! – 1968
- Where Eagles Dare – 1968
- Salt and Pepper – 1968
- The Italian Job – 1969
- Cromwell – 1970
- Superman: The Movie – 1978
- Moonraker – 1979
- Willow – 1988
Curiosa
- His height was 1.89 m.
- He was an occasional sparring partner for Joe Louis and later Sugar Ray Robinson, and Muhammad Ali.
I was amazed at how many films Nosher Powell has worked on as a stuntman (and most of which he wasn’t credited). He has had quite a remarkable career. I looked at the full list of films he’d worked as a stuntman on the Internet Movie Database and I was so amazed. As an actor,however,I’ve only seen him in Eat the Rich(1987) in which he came across as a cockney hardman in the position as the “Home Secretary”. I think Nosher is probably,if not,one of the most prolific stuntmen in the British film industry.
i met nosher while on set making a TV add a few years as ago, and chated for a few hours,,, what a nice bloke
HE has written an autobiography. Get that one, if you can. It´s VERY amusing.