Michael Creighton Balfour (February 11, 1918 – October 24, 1997) was a prominent English actor known for his extensive work in British cinema and television. His career began with a television appearance in the BBC series *The Marvellous History of St Bernard* in 1938, and he became a recognizable figure in nearly 200 films and TV shows over the next five decades. Balfour often portrayed quirky characters, frequently taking on the roles of comical villains or dubious figures, distinguished by their flamboyant attire, and sometimes convincingly impersonated American personas.
Throughout his career, Balfour collaborated with an array of acclaimed directors, such as Billy Wilder, Roman Polanski, Tim Burton, and Howard Hawks. His television credits included memorable appearances in popular series like *Educated Evans*, *The Avengers*, *Hancock's Half Hour*, and *Z-Cars*, with a notable role as Barney O'Keefe in the detective series *The Vise*.
In a tragic incident, Balfour survived a car crash while riding with actor Bonar Colleano, which resulted in Colleano's death; Balfour sustained injuries that required 98 stitches but made it to Colleano's funeral shortly after.
As his film career waned in the late 1970s, Balfour embraced life as a circus clown, founding Circus Hazzard and developing his own clown persona. Beyond the stage, he was an avid painter and sculptor, expressing his artistic vision through a gallery he operated, often inspired by his family's circus legacy.
