- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRichard Douglas James Baker
- Richard Baker was born on June 15, 1925 in Willesden, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Saturday Special (1951), Jackanory Playhouse (1972) and Pineapple Poll (1979). He was married to Margaret Martin. He died on November 17, 2018 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK.
- SpouseMargaret Martin(June 2, 1961 - November 17, 2018) (his death, 2 children)
- Joined the BBC in 1950 and became their first ever television newsreader.
- He introduced the first BBC TV news bulletin broadcast in July 1954, hosted the Last Night of the Proms broadcasts, and presented on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4. He presented BBC TV news bulletins until 1982. He also voiced the animated children's series "Mary, Mungo and Midge", and made three guest appearances on "Monty Python's Flying Circus".
- He read history and modern languages at Cambridge. While there, he was active in the Marlowe drama society. After graduation, he began acting in repertory companies and was an English teacher in a London grammar school.
- Father of James Baker.
- He served on a minesweeper with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during WWII.
- It was feared we might sully the stream of truth with inappropriate facial expressions. Instead the viewers saw pictures making the news. [commenting on BBC-TV's initial refusal to have newsreaders appear on camera]
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