George Pastell

Who was George Pastell?

George Pastell was a Cypriot character actor in British films and television programmes. Sources vary as to whether his real name was Nino or George Pastellides.

He made his film debut in Give Us This Day, credited as Nino Pastellides, and played villains in film and television. Although Greek, he was often cast by Hammer Film Productions as Eastern characters such as Mehemet Bey in The Mummy, the High Priest of Kali in The Stranglers of Bombay, Inspector Etienne in Maniac, and Hashmi Bey in The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb.

His exotic looks often saw him cast in spy films of the '60s such as From Russia with Love; Licensed to Kill; A Man Could Get Killed; That Riviera Touch; and Deadlier Than the Male. His many other films included appearances in Tiger Bay, The Angry Hills, The Siege of Sidney Street, Konga, The Frightened City, On the Beat, The Moon-Spinners, The Long Duel and The Magus.

As well as these film roles he could also be seen as the villain in numerous television series of the '60s including Danger Man; The Avengers; Doctor Who; The Champions; The Saint; and Department S.