Keith Michell, the Australian-born British actor and director who created the lead role in Irma La Douce in London and on Broadway, and who became known for his portrayal of King Henry VIII in many different plays and films, died Nov. 20.

Though most of his work was in the classics in London during the 1960s and 1970s, he was best known on Broadway for musicals, starting with Irma La Douce in 1960, and continuing by replacing Richard Kiley as Don Quixote during the long run of Man of La Mancha, and for replacing Gene Barry as Georges in the original production of La Cage aux Folles.

According to The Guardian newspaper of London, Michell "probably played the part of King Henry VIII more than any other performer. But he also made a significant contribution to British theatre when he followed Laurence Olivier and John Clements to become artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre" in 1974.

Among productions in which he played Henry VIII were Six Wives of Henry VIII, Henry VIII and His Six Wives, The Prince and the Pauper and numerous others.