Christopher Hewett

Christopher Hewett’s career was built on a foundation of impeccable timing and an air of cultivated eccentricity. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he cut his teeth in British repertory theatre before finding his niche as a director and actor with a flair for the comedic. He directed Julie Andrews in the Broadway production of 'The Boy Friend,' helping to launch her star. But to American audiences, Hewett became an indelible part of 1980s television culture. As Lynn Aloysius Belvedere, the unflappable, sarcastic, and surprisingly athletic English housekeeper employed by a chaotic Pittsburgh family, he delivered his lines with a dry, arch precision that made him the show’s sophisticated anchor. The role was a perfect match for his persona—a man who seemed both utterly out of place and completely in control. Beyond the sitcom, Hewett was a respected man of the theatre, directing numerous plays and musicals, and his performance as the flamboyant director Roger De Bris in the original Broadway production of 'The Producers' showcased his broader theatrical chops. He specialized in characters who were wiser, and often wittier, than everyone else in the room.