Simon Fisher-Becker was a British character actor known for his memorable performances in film, television and theatre. Born in London on 25 November 1961, he built a career playing distinctive supporting characters, often bringing warmth and humour to his roles. He became widely recognised internationally for playing the Fat Friar in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and later gained a dedicated following for his portrayal of Dorium Maldovar in Doctor Who. His film career included British comedies, independent productions, historical drama and the musical adaptation of Les Misérables. Fisher-Becker also worked on smaller film projects and productions that showcased his versatility beyond his best-known roles. He died on 9 March 2025, aged 63, leaving behind a varied body of work across several decades.
This chronological guide to Simon Fisher-Becker movies by year covers his released film appearances, from his early screen work to his later projects. Short films and other non-feature productions are identified separately where relevant.
1990 — Arrivederci Millwall
Arrivederci Millwall marked one of Simon Fisher-Becker’s earliest film appearances. He played a shop manager in this British drama directed by Charles McDougall. The film follows a group of young football supporters travelling to Italy during the 1982 FIFA World Cup, exploring friendship, football culture and the experiences of working-class British youth. Its place in Fisher-Becker’s early career makes it an important starting point for tracing his screen work.
1992 — An Ungentlemanly Act
In An Ungentlemanly Act, Fisher-Becker appeared as a prisoner. This British historical drama depicts the 1982 Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands and the efforts of the small British garrison to respond to the attack. The production focuses on the surrender negotiations and the difficult decisions faced by military personnel and local officials. Although his role was a supporting appearance, the film added a historical drama to his early screen credits.
1994 — Beg!
Fisher-Becker appeared as Dr Farth in Beg!, an independent film directed by Robert Golden. The title is part of his early filmography, before his better-known roles in major fantasy and musical productions. Publicly available information about the film’s plot and the extent of his character’s involvement is limited. Nevertheless, it is a relevant screen credit when reviewing Simon Fisher-Becker movies by year.
1999 — Sweet Thing
Sweet Thing features Fisher-Becker as Klaus, a courier, in a crime comedy involving characters whose lives intersect through schemes and unexpected encounters. The production is associated with Richard Harrison and Dominic O’Nions, with Lisa Faulkner and Johnny Harris among the cast. Some filmography listings associate the title with 1999, while other records identify a 2000 release and describe it as a short film of approximately 21 minutes. It should therefore be treated as a short-film credit rather than a conventional feature film.
2001 — Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Fisher-Becker played the Fat Friar, the friendly Hufflepuff house ghost, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Directed by Chris Columbus and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the fantasy film follows Harry as he discovers his magical heritage and begins his education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Fat Friar is one of the ghosts associated with Hogwarts’ four houses, contributing to the magical atmosphere of the school. This became Fisher-Becker’s most widely recognised film appearance.
2008 — The Tale of the Three Spaptors
In The Tale of the Three Spaptors, Fisher-Becker played a petrol station attendant. The lesser-known production is listed among his film credits, with Tad Abe credited as director in some filmography records. Unlike the large studio productions that later brought him broader recognition, the project represents his work in smaller-scale filmmaking. Public information about its plot, distribution and release circumstances is limited, so its status as a widely released feature film is difficult to establish.
2012 — Chakan, the Forever Man
Fisher-Becker appeared as Ethan Scott in Chakan, the Forever Man, an independent production directed by Robin Morningstar. The title draws on the dark fantasy world associated with Chakan, a character known for supernatural adventures and a struggle against evil. Fisher-Becker’s involvement illustrates his willingness to take on roles in projects outside mainstream British cinema. Although detailed information about the film’s distribution and reception is limited, the credit forms part of his documented screen work.
2012 — Rise of the Euphonious Angel
In Rise of the Euphonious Angel, Fisher-Becker played Dante Harper. The independent production is associated with filmmaker Jacob Kay and appears in records of his acting career. It represents another collaboration with smaller production teams during a period when Fisher-Becker was balancing film appearances with television, theatre and other acting work. Public information about the plot and release history remains limited, so the film’s wider impact is difficult to assess.
2012 — Les Misérables
Fisher-Becker appeared in Les Misérables, directed by Tom Hooper, as part of the ensemble associated with the Thénardiers’ inn and the song “Master of the House.” Based on the stage musical inspired by Victor Hugo’s novel, the historical musical drama stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the Thénardiers. The story follows Valjean’s life after imprisonment and his efforts to build a new future amid political unrest in nineteenth-century France. The film received widespread attention and multiple Academy Award nominations, placing Fisher-Becker among the performers in a major international musical production.
2015 — Pundemic
Pundemic is listed among Fisher-Becker’s screen credits, with the actor playing a character identified as the Recluse. The production is associated with filmmaker Richard Calvert-Summers and belongs to his independent screen work. Detailed information about its release format, plot and distribution is limited, so it should not be presented as a widely released feature without further verification. It remains a relevant entry in his broader filmography.
2016 — Coveted Desires
Fisher-Becker is credited as Keith’s Dad in Coveted Desires, a lesser-known production recorded in filmography listings around this period. The role represents another supporting performance in his independent screen work. Publicly accessible information about the production’s director, plot and release history is limited, making it difficult to establish whether it received a conventional feature-film release. It is therefore best regarded as a documented acting credit rather than a confirmed major theatrical feature.
2017 — Carnage: Swallowing the Past
In Carnage: Swallowing the Past, Fisher-Becker played Kevin, a supporting character in a satirical film written and directed by Simon Amstell. Set in 2067, the BBC production imagines a future in which veganism has become the norm and examines humanity’s former relationship with eating meat. The cast includes Martin Freeman, Linda Bassett, Eileen Atkins and Joanna Lumley. Combining comedy, science fiction and mockumentary elements, the film offers a distinctive social satire and is one of Fisher-Becker’s notable later screen appearances.
Other Screen Credits and Short Films
Several additional productions appear in Simon Fisher-Becker’s wider screen credits, but they should not automatically be counted as feature films. These include Tale of a Timelord (2016), The Great Director, Lamination, Humber City and Reduced to Clear (2021). Some are identified as short films or independent productions, while others have limited publicly documented release details. His television work, audio dramas and appearances in programmes such as Doctor Who are also important parts of his career, but they fall outside a feature-film-only chronology.
Conclusion
Simon Fisher-Becker’s film career ranged from early British productions to internationally recognised fantasy and musical films. His performance as the Fat Friar in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone remains his most familiar film role, while Les Misérables and Carnage: Swallowing the Past demonstrate his involvement in very different productions. His smaller independent projects also reflect a long career built on character acting across multiple formats. Reviewing Simon Fisher-Becker movies by year provides a picture of a versatile performer whose contributions extended well beyond his best-known appearances.
