English Chess Forum

Greetings, I just watched the 80s flick Commando and was surprised to learn that a certain Michael Adams starred in the films as (Mike).

Are there any other GMs who share their name with actors and has a GM ever actually appeared in a film (not documentary) or perhaps tv series?

The trick for the first one is probably to pick GMs whose names are reasonably common in their home country and see what a search turns up, and doing this immediately found me this actor: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914925/

Caught me by surprise to see a certain Michael Adams in it. He wasn't the most convincing baddie I have ever seen, and perhaps that's true over the board too!

I searched for another one: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0279100/

And there's William Evans, founder of the gambit that Kasparov once destroyed Anand with here:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5703966/?ref_=fn_al_nm_4

I believe "Chess Fever" (1925) may count. It is fiction, but includes Capablanca as himself.

There was a Mark Hebden in 'The Archers' years ago.
James

Here's Robert Byrne. Not exactly a household name as an actor, but he's there all right.

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:35 pm

I believe "Chess Fever" (1925) may count. It is fiction, but includes Capablanca as himself.

The Great Chess Movie too, which has dozens of players in it.

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:27 pm

Caught me by surprise to see a certain Michael Adams in it. He wasn't the most convincing baddie I have ever seen, and perhaps that's true over the board too!

On the plus side I don't think it hurt his credibility too badly, none of the baddies in commando are very convincingly threatening against Arnie and his raw masculinity

Wasn't there an actual Soviet film (as opposed to documentary) which featured both Tal and Korchnoi amongst others?