George Anthony Newley (September 24, 1931 - April 14, 1999) was a British actor, singer and songwriter.

His first major film role was as the Artful Dodger in David Lean's 1948 Oliver Twist.

Newley had a successful pop music career, with two number ones in 1960: "Why?" and "Do You Mind?" He won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I", but was also well-known for comic novelty songs such as his version of "Strawberry Fair". With Leslie Bricusse, he wrote the musical Stop the World, I Want to Get Off. His other musicals include The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd (1965) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971).

He was married to Ann Lynn from 1956 to 1963, but it ended in divorce. He then was married to the actress Joan Collins from 1963 to 1971; the couple had two children, Tara and Sasha. His third wife was former air hostess Dareth Rich, and they also had two children, Christopher and Shelby.

He died in Jensen Beach, Florida in 1999 of renal cancer.

Filmography