BENJAMIN Whitrow, who has died aged 80, was perhaps most renowned for his role as Mr Bennet in the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, but had an illustrious career on stage and screen.

The actor was nominated for a BAFTA for his performance in the popular BBC serial, which launched Colin Firth's career, but also voiced Fowler in the hit animated film Chicken Run in 2000.

Despite his nomination for best actor, he was a prolific supporting actor in a career that spanned 50 years.

Benjamin John Whitrow was born in Oxford on February 17, 1937 the second son of Mary and Philip Whitrow, a teacher at St Edward's School, Oxford.

His father had taught history to Laurence Olivier who would later remark that 'Benjamin Whitrow has never given a bad performance'.

Olivier employed him in his National Theatre company for seven years in the 1960s.

He grew up in Oxford and went to the Dragon School before going off to board at Tonbridge School and then training at The Royal Academic of Dramatic Art.

In 1956 he served his two-year National Service with the King's Dragoon Guards in Malaya - now Malaysia - during a guerilla war for independence.

The following year came his first stage performance, when he appeared in George Bernard Shaw's 'Heartbreak House' at the Empire Theatre in Belfast.

An eight-year apprenticeship followed before he joined Laurence Olivier's company at the Old Vic in London.

After establishing himself in performances of Seneca's Oedipus, The Merchant of Venice - with Olivier as Shylock - and The Marriage of Figaro he went on to became a West End regular in the 1980s.

Simultaneously he took on more cinema and TV roles, appearing in Quadrophenia, Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime and Brimstone and Treacle.

He married his wife Catherine Cook, a nurse, in 1972, and the couple had two children Hannah and Tom.

They separated many years later - but stayed on good terms - and Mr Whitrow had a third child with the actress Celia Imrie.

Miss Imrie had no desire for marriage but longed for a child and her wish was fulfilled when Angus Imrie was born in 1994.

His impressive performance as Mr Bennet, a perfect foil for Alison Steadman's Mrs Bennet, earned him high praise and recognition.

Before that he appeared in three episodes of The New Statesman as Paddy O'Rourke a Labour shadow minister.

After Pride and Prejudice, the TV roles kept coming and he played Squire Allworthy in The History of Tom Jones, starring alongside Brian Blessed.

His voiceover of Fowler in Chicken Run was in keeping with his successful radio career, which he continued until the early 2010s.

He died on September 28 and is survived by Catherine, their children, Hannah and Tom, by Angus, and by four grandchildren.