
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
June 22, 1931
Died
February 11, 2026 (age 94)
Place of Birth
Liverpool, England, UK
John Swindells
Biography
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

Film
2001: A Space Odyssey
TMA-1 Site Technician #1 (uncredited)
1968

TV
Shadows of Fear
Postman
1970

Film
Assault
Desk Sergeant
1971

Film
Age of Innocence
Griffen
1977

Film
The Donor
Armand Perris
1995

Film
Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics
Ned
1989
Film
Butterbox Babies
Judge Doull
1995

Film
The Women of Windsor
Police Instructor
1992

Film
Passion and Paradise
Col. R.A. Erskine Lindop
1989
Filmography
1995FilmThe Donoras Armand Perris1995FilmButterbox Babiesas Judge Doull1992FilmThe Women of Windsoras Police Instructor1989FilmFriends, Lovers, & Lunaticsas Ned1989FilmPassion and Paradiseas Col. R.A. Erskine Lindop1977FilmAge of Innocenceas Griffen1971FilmAssaultas Desk Sergeant1970TVShadows of Fearas Postman1968Film2001: A Space Odysseyas TMA-1 Site Technician #1 (uncredited)