
Acting
John Swindells
EN cinema · 8 credits
Born
22 June 1931
Died
11 February 2026 (aged 94)
Birthplace
Liverpool, England, UK
John Swindells, a Liverpool native and former student of Quarry Bank Grammar School and Liverpool College of Art, established his international career in the arts. Settled in Victoria, B.C., since 1973, he's known for leading roles across UK stages, Toronto, Canadian theatres, and even in New York and US regional theatres. His work spans television, including 65 episodes of “Z.Cars” as Sgt Ted Bowman (BBC, 1970-1973) and a role as Inspector Ted Bowman in CBC’s “Side Street” (1977-1980). He portrayed J.E.H. McDonald in CBC’s “The Passionate Canadians,” which focused on the "Group of Seven" artists. He made a guest appearance in “B.L. Stryker” (US). Swindells notably played First Technician in Stanley Kubrick's landmark film “2001: A Space Odyssey”. His biography is included in “Who’s Who in the Theatre, Contemporary Stage, Film, and Television” (1983).
Known for
Filmography
Butterbox Babies
1995
Butterbox Babies
as Judge Doull

The Donor
as Armand Perris

The Women of Windsor
as Police Instructor

Passion and Paradise
as Col. R.A. Erskine Lindop

Age of Innocence
as Griffen

Assault
as Desk Sergeant

2001: A Space Odyssey
as TMA-1 Site Technician #1 (uncredited)


