
John Swindells
Acting • Born 1931-06-22 – Died 2026-02-11
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).
Filmography
9 credits
The Women of Windsor
Movie • 1992
Police Instructor

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

Passion and Paradise
Movie • 1989
Col. R.A. Erskine Lindop

Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics
Movie • 1989
Ned

Age of Innocence
Movie • 1977
Griffen

Butterbox Babies
Movie • 1995
Judge Doull

Assault
Movie • 1971
Desk Sergeant

The Donor
Movie • 1995
Armand Perris

Shadows of Fear
TV • 1970
Postman