A scriptwriter and author on the side, he was also a member of the Writer's Guild of Canada and the Screen Writers Guild of America. His last script was entitled "Hide and Go Kill".
Following their 1955 marriage, Henry and Cheryl eventually purchased The Dukes Oak Theatre in Cooperstown, New York. Two years after that, they sold the theatre and moved to California where he pursued an on-camera career.
Had a strong talent for languages and accents and played a number of ethnic heavies as a result.
He and his late wife, Cheryl Maxwell, who died on October 20, 1998, had two sons, Brian Beckman and Stuart Beckman.
He became Sir Henry Beckman when he was invested as a member of the "Knights of Malta," The Order of Saint John of Jersualem of the Americas and Euope, a centuries-old military order. His two sons were also admitted.
He wrote and published a book about how to make an independent film.
In 1977, Henry and Cheryl were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal for "contributions to Canadian culture and the esteem in which they were held by their peers".
Joined the Canadian military service by changing his birth date, before he was 18, and served from 1939-1945. He was among the few survivors (7%) of the Normandy invasion.
Lived in warmer climates in later years, including Hawaii and then Mallorca and Barcelona. He died of heart failure with step-granddaughter Hillary Beckman by his side.
Veteran character actor who had a long career on film and (especially) TV since the early 1950s.
While filming the TV series "Here Come the Brides" (1968), he grew attracted to the Seattle wilderness where much of the filming occurred. He and his family eventually moved to Deming, Washington, where they enjoyed country living.
Wife Cheryl was a one-time actress and Broadway producer.
Won two "Genie" awards for acting, the Canadian equivalent of the "Oscar" trophy.