Actor. He became a star in his native India, prior to becoming internationally successful in a wide range of stage and film productions. His father was a medical officer; Saeed initially studied history before focusing on drama, and later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He founded the English theatre company Unity Theatre in New Delhi, and began his career with All Indian Radio before moving to the United States and receiving his degree in drama from the Catholic University of America. He acquired experience with a Shakespearean touring company and played 'Professor Godbole' in the Broadway production of "A Passage to India" (1962). That same year, he co-starred with his then-wife Madhur Jaffrey in the off-Broadway play "A Tenth of an Inch Makes the Difference" (1962 to 1963). During the 1960s, he began appearing on British TV in such programs as "Z Cars" and "Callan." He made his motion picture debut in the British and Indian collaboration "The Guru" (1969). Jaffrey established himself as a dependable supporting actor and may perhaps be best remembered for playing 'Billy Fish' in John Huston's "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975), which starred Sean Connery and Michael Caine. He went on to roles in the Oscar-garnered pictures "Gandhi" (1982, as Vallabhbhai Patel) and "Passage to India" (1984). He received a BAFTA nomination for "My Beautiful Laundrette" (1985). He was formerly married to actress Madhur Jaffrey and was the father of actress Sakina Jaffrey.
Actor. He became a star in his native India, prior to becoming internationally successful in a wide range of stage and film productions. His father was a medical officer; Saeed initially studied history before focusing on drama, and later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He founded the English theatre company Unity Theatre in New Delhi, and began his career with All Indian Radio before moving to the United States and receiving his degree in drama from the Catholic University of America. He acquired experience with a Shakespearean touring company and played 'Professor Godbole' in the Broadway production of "A Passage to India" (1962). That same year, he co-starred with his then-wife Madhur Jaffrey in the off-Broadway play "A Tenth of an Inch Makes the Difference" (1962 to 1963). During the 1960s, he began appearing on British TV in such programs as "Z Cars" and "Callan." He made his motion picture debut in the British and Indian collaboration "The Guru" (1969). Jaffrey established himself as a dependable supporting actor and may perhaps be best remembered for playing 'Billy Fish' in John Huston's "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975), which starred Sean Connery and Michael Caine. He went on to roles in the Oscar-garnered pictures "Gandhi" (1982, as Vallabhbhai Patel) and "Passage to India" (1984). He received a BAFTA nomination for "My Beautiful Laundrette" (1985). He was formerly married to actress Madhur Jaffrey and was the father of actress Sakina Jaffrey.
Bio by: C.S.
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