Richard Greene, TV’s Robin Hood, Dies

Actor Richard Greene, British television’s original Robin Hood, died Saturday at his home in eastern England, his daughter said. He was 66.

Greene, one of Britain’s top television stars in the 1950s, appeared in 143 episodes of the series on Robin Hood, the legendary English folk hero of the Middle Ages. He also played in more than 40 movies, including “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” “Forever Amber” and “My Lucky Star.”

He died at his home in Norfolk, according to his daughter Patricia. She said he had never fully recovered after being injured in a fall in 1982.

“He still had quite a fan club and was receiving letters requesting signed pictures,” she said.

Greene was born in Plymouth, England, the son of an actor and actress. He joined a repertory company in his teens and at 20 was discovered by producers at 20th Century Fox studios, who described his looks as combining the features of Tyrone Power and Robert Taylor.

Later in his career Greene left acting to become a top horse breeder in Ireland. But he made a comeback with many stage and television appearances.

Greene lived alone after separating from his second wife in 1980. A memorial service is to be held this week in London.