Francis Matthews (actor)
The suave, pipe-smoking detective Paul Temple and the voice of Captain Scarlet, embodying British cool across live-action and Supermarionation.
1927–2014 (age 87)·English actor·Birthday: September 2·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Francis Matthews brought a particular brand of unflappable English charm to every role. He is forever defined by two very different heroes. On BBC television, he was Paul Temple, the sophisticated novelist-detective who solved crimes with his wife Steve—a role that made him a household name and epitomized 1970s tele-visual elegance. Simultaneously, in a recording booth, he gave life to Captain Scarlet, the indestructible agent of Gerry Anderson's 'Supermarionation' series. His calm, resonant voice provided the perfect anchor for the puppet action, making Scarlet believably heroic. Matthews's career was long and varied, encompassing Shakespeare on stage, horror films for Hammer, and steady work in British television drama and comedy. He possessed a light, witty presence that could suggest intelligence or a sly mischief. Whether in a tailored suit or as a voice from a puppet, Matthews represented a reliable, classically stylish strand of British entertainment.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Francis was born in 1927, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Francis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1927
#1 Movie
Wings
Francis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1927Born
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1932Started school
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1940Became a teenager
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Could drive
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1945Could vote
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Turned 21
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1957Turned 30
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 40
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 50
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 60
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 70
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 80
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2014Died at 87
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
Key Achievements
- Starred as the definitive Paul Temple in the BBC television adaptation, bringing the detective to life for a generation.
- Provided the voice for Captain Scarlet in the classic Supermarionation series 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.'
- Enjoyed a long and successful career in British repertory theatre, including performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- Appeared in several Hammer Film Productions horror movies, including 'Dracula: Prince of Darkness' and 'The Revenge of Frankenstein.'
Did You Know?
His brother was actor and voice artist Paul Maxwell, best known as the voice of Scott Tracy in 'Thunderbirds.'
Matthews was known for his skill at mimicry and could perform a notable impression of Cary Grant.
He was an accomplished amateur painter and enjoyed landscape painting.
He served in the Royal Navy towards the end of World War II.
“Playing Paul Temple was about that cool, collected Englishman who never loses his hat.”
