Actor Ian Richardson played Grey Poupon sophisticate
Published 9:00 pm Friday, February 9, 2007
LONDON – Ian Richardson, who brought Shakespearean depth to his portrayal of a thoroughly immoral politician in the hugely popular satirical TV drama “House of Cards,” died Friday at age 72, his agent said.
In addition to his many stage, screen and TV roles, Richardson also appeared in one of the mustard commercials as the man in the Rolls-Royce who asked, “Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?”
He died in his sleep at his London home, said the agent, Jean Diamond.
Richardson played the silkily evil Francis Urquhart in three miniseries: “House of Cards” in 1990, “To Play the King” in 1993 and “The Final Cut” in 1995.
Urquhart’s smooth riposte to any slur against another character – “You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment” – was picked up by British politicians and heard again and again in the House of Commons.
