Sandor Elès

Sandor Elès (born Éles Sándor; 15 June 1936 – 1 September 2002) was a distinguished Hungarian actor known for his versatile performances in film and television. Orphaned during World War II, Elès emigrated to the United Kingdom amid the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, where he began his artistic journey.

Elès made his mark on stage before transitioning to screen acting, where he secured numerous roles in popular television series. He appeared in iconic shows such as Danger Man, The Baron, The Saint, and Jason King, and also had guest spots in The Avengers and The Professionals. Frequently cast in roles typified as 'foreigners,' he often portrayed characters with French backgrounds, including diplomats and waiters.

His film career features notable performances, particularly as the enigmatic Paul in the thriller And Soon the Darkness, directed by Brian Clemens. Elès was also part of the Hammer Horror legacy, featuring prominently in Countess Dracula (1971) and The Evil of Frankenstein (1964). In the 1980s, he gained recognition for his role as Paul Ross, the cunning restaurant manager in the long-running soap opera Crossroads.

In a return to his artistic roots, Elès served as the narrator in concert performances of Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle in 1996, with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Bernard Haitink, which were later recorded for CD.