Michael Culver (born June 16, 1938 in Hampstead, London) is an English actor, best known to television viewers for his role as Major Erwin Brandt in the 1970s BBC drama Secret Army. He also played the strict Prior Robert ("Brother Prior") in the television series Cadfael.
He is the son of actor Roland Culver.
Culver is also well remembered by fans of the Star Wars film saga for playing Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back He also played the part of Squire Armstrong in the television series, "The Adventures of Black Beauty", and played a major part in A Passage to India as a bigoted police inspector.
His great-grandfather was founder of George Culver Optics Ltd. His father was the character actor, Roland Culver (I). His brother is actor Robin Culver. Has one son, Roderic Culver and daughter, Sue Culver.
Is an avid GO player (a.k.a., weiqi or baduk - a game of strategy currently popular in Asia that was invented in China several thousands of years ago). Rumored to have been ranked at 2 dan.
Was a spear carrier in London's Old Vic alongside other apprentices such as Judi Dench and Maggie Smith (I).
Furthered his theatrical training in the Dundee Repertory Compay with people like Edward Fox (I), Glenda Jackson and Nicol Williamson.
Worked several times with the producer-director-writer Gerard Glaister, for example: "This Man Craig" (1966), "Revenue Men, The" (1967), "Moonstrike" (1963) and, most importantly, "Secret Army" (1977).
Didn't appear in the last episode of the first series of "Secret Army" due to an attack of appendicitis.
Appeared on the front page of "The Radio Times" in February 1963 publicizing "Moonstrike".
Brother, Robin, also an actor.
Great-grandfather was founder of George Culver Optics Ltd.
As a lad, he joined the Air Cadets (to avoid "square-bashing" with the army cadets) but was exempted from National Service because he failed the eyesight test.
Daughter Sue
Now an active Peace and Civil Liberties campaigner.
Studied at LAMDA (London School of Dramatic Art) in the early 60s.
