Oliver Reed MacDonald Fraser. Reed had an uncredited bit-part in Russell's "Mahler" (1974), was the lead in "Blue Blood" (1973) and "And Then There Were None" (1974), produced by Harry Alan Towers. His next project with Ken Russell was "Tommy", based on The Who's 1969 concept album "Tommy" and starring its lead singer Roger Daltrey. "Royal Flash" (1975) reunited him with Richard Lester and George MacDonald Fraser, playing Otto von Bismarck. He had a cameo in Russell's "Lisztomania" (1975). Reed appeared in "The New Spartans" (1975) then acted alongside Karen Black, Bette Davis, and Burgess Meredith in the Dan Curtis horror film
John Reed (actor) John Reed (actor) John Lamb Reed, OBE (13 February 1916 – 13 February 2010) was an English actor, dancer and singer, known for his nimble performances in the principal comic roles of the Savoy Operas, particularly with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Reed has been called "the last great exponent" of the Gilbert and Sullivan comedy roles. The son of a butcher from County Durham, Reed began performing at the end of World War II, joining the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1951. After eight years as understudy to Peter Pratt, he became the principal comedian of the company in