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George Rose (February 19, 1920 - May 5, 1988) was a renound British actor who starred in both stage and screen.

Born in Bicester in Oxfordshire, Rose studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama. After graduation he briefly worked as a farmer and secretary. After wartime service and studies at Oxford, he made his Old Vic stage debut in 1946.

Rose made his Broadway debut in a 1946 production of Henry IV, Part I and remained in New York City for the remainder of the decade. He spent most of the 1950s appearing in broad comedy roles in his native land. He returned to Broadway to portray Dogberry in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in 1959; two years later he co-starred in Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons. From then on he appeared primarily in American plays and films. He also gained a reputation as one of the foremost Gilbert and Sullivan purveyors in the English-speaking world. Five years before his death he would go on to give a wonderful performance as Major General Stanley in the 1983 Hollywood Adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance co-starring Kevin Kline, Rex Smith ,Tony Azito and Linda Ronstadt.

Rose made his screen debut in Midnight Frolics in 1949. Notable film credits include Track the Man Down, A Night to Remember, Hawaii, and A New Leaf.

Rose was one of the stars of the 1975 television series Beacon Hill, a misguided effort to Americanize the popular Upstairs, Downstairs. Other television credits include Naked City, Trials of O'Brien, and several appearances on the Hallmark Hall of Fame.

He won two Tony Awards as Best Actor (Musical): in 1976, for a revival of "My Fair Lady," and in 1986, for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." He was also nominated for a Tony three other times: as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical), in 1970 for "Coco;" as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "My Fat Friend," and again as Best Actor (Musical), in 1981 for "The Pirates of Penzance."

Private life:

George Rose had many passions in life but he was on the whole a very private man when not in the public eye. He loved exotic animals and owned a pet Lynx, birds and other exotic creatures as well as an extensive classical music collection numbering around 17,000 records. His wide range of friends in the theatrical and film community represented a who's who of talented individuals. His knowlege of theatre was to those who knew him: Astouding. Many, such as his friend actress Lynn Redgrave, credit him as being a mentor.

Death:

In 1984, Rose purchesed a small vacation home in Sosua, Dominican Republic where he spent much of his time between his performance schedule relishing the relaxed tropical atmosphere and lifestyle the island nation offered. Rose was gay and as such, a life long bacholar ; but he had longed to have a child and a family life. Shortly after relocating he adopted a 17 year old son named Juan whom he supported financially with the hope of passing on his amazing knowledge of the theatre as well as his estate that was then valued around two million dollars. But it was here where his life was ended tragically during a two week vacation on May 5, 1988.

According to accounts; Rose was beaten to death by his adopted son and three other men, including Jaun's real father and uncle , near his vacation home and his body was left next to an over turned car with the intent to make it look like an accident. Eventually each of his assalents confessed to killing Rose. Though his son Juan, and the others was charged and spent time in prison no trial was ever held and eventually all were released.

Rose is buried in an unmarked grave in an unkept cemetary near his home in Sosua.

• The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1985)
• Aren't We All? (1985)
• Dance a Little Closer (1983)
• You Can't Take It With You (1983)
• The Pirates of Penzance (1981)
• Peter Pan (1979)
• The Kingfisher (1978)
• My Fair Lady (1976)
• My Fat Friend (1974)
• Wise Child (1972)
• A New Leaf (1972)
• Sleuth (1970)
• Coco (1969)
• Canterbury Tales (1969)
• Loot (1968)
• Walking Happy (1966)
• The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1965)
• Slow Dance on the Killing Ground (1964)
• Hamlet (1964)

• 1986 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, winner)
• 1986 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Edwin Drood, winner)
• 1981 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (The Pirates of Penzance, nominee)
• 1981 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (The Pirates of Penzance, nominee)
• 1979 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (The Kingfisher, winner)
• 1977 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (She Loves Me, nominee)
• 1976 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (My Fair Lady, winner)
• 1976 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (My Fair Lady, winner)
• 1975 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (My Fat Friend, nominee)
• 1974 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance (My Fat Friend, winner)
• 1970 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Coco, nominee)

• Internet Broadway Database listing
• Internet Movie Database listing
• NY Times article about death
• [http://www.alixkirsta.com/articles/georgerose/index.htm "The killing of Mr. George" (c) 1997 by Alix Kirsta.