Sir Alan Arthur Bates was an English actor considered amongst the most versatile and finest performers of his generation. Known for his rugged good looks and intense performances, he could portray characters in a children’s movie with the same élan as he could play a dashing romantic leading man. Having begun his career on the stage, he was skilled at playing both classical and contemporary roles. The son of amateur musicians, he was encouraged from an early age to pursue a career in music. When he realized his interest in acting as a young boy, his parents were supportive and motivated him to pursue his passion. The talented youngster won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and eventually made his stage debut in ‘You and Your Wife.’ More stage roles followed and he accomplished himself as a successful actor. He ventured into television as well and before long he appeared in a series of television plays. Buoyed by his success so far, he ventured into Hollywood and rose to prominence in the 1960s as a versatile character actor. While the good looking actor was quite popular playing romantic leads opposite women, he also never shied from portraying characters with an aspect of homosexuality or bisexuality.