Gregory de Polnay, Acclaimed Actor and Voice Coach, Passes Away at 82
Gregory de Polnay, a versatile actor, director, voice teacher, and performance coach, has died at the age of 82. His career spanned decades, leaving a significant mark on British television, radio, and theatre.
A Distinguished Career in Broadcasting and Theatre
De Polnay accumulated over 100 television appearances and 350 radio broadcasts throughout his life. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as Detective Sergeant Mike Brewer in the beloved BBC series Dixon of Dock Green during the 1974-75 season. In 1977, he lent his voice to the character D84 in the Doctor Who serial The Robots of Death, a role cherished by fans of the iconic science fiction show.
His theatrical work was equally notable. In 1984, he starred alongside the legendary actress Peggy Ashcroft in his own touring production, You Can’t Shut Out the Human Voice, at London's Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.
Early Life and Artistic Influences
Born in Chelsea, London, Gregory was the son of Hungarian novelist Peter de Polnay and artist Margaret Mitchell-Banks. He often credited his godfather, the renowned poet Dylan Thomas, with introducing him to literature, rather than his father. A pivotal moment in his youth was witnessing the powerful stage performances of Laurence Olivier, which inspired his own desire to pursue a career in theatre.
After attending Blackfriars school in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, he honed his craft at the prestigious London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts (Lamda) before embarking on his professional journey.
Transition to Teaching and Coaching
Like many in his profession, de Polnay faced periods of professional insecurity. A turning point came in 1987 after a severe accident. While performing as Malvolio in Twelfth Night at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival in the United States, he suffered a serious fall from a tall stage ladder. The lengthy recovery period in hospital prompted him to reconsider his career path and seek greater stability by retraining as a teacher.
He pursued an advanced diploma in voice studies at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, followed by a Master's degree in performance studies at King’s College London. In 1988, he was appointed head of voice at the Drama Centre in London. From 1994 to the early 2000s, he held a similar role at his alma mater, Lamda. Concurrently, he served as a teacher and director at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) from late 1990 until 2010.
Leveraging his extensive experience, de Polnay also established a freelance corporate coaching practice, GdeP Associates, where he assisted business professionals with vocal delivery and body language techniques.
Personal Life and Legacy
In his later years, de Polnay spent considerable time at his home in France, near Cognac, with his second wife, Candice (née White), an executive assistant, whom he married in 1998. There, he delighted in performing readings of The Tiger Who Came to Tea for his grandsons, Jeno and Toby, which he considered some of his finest work.
He is survived by his wife Candice; his two children, Kirrily and the author of this obituary, from his first marriage to Anna (née Bowden), which ended in divorce in 1985; and his grandsons, Jeno and Toby. Gregory de Polnay's legacy endures through his contributions to the arts and the many students and colleagues he inspired.
