Who Is Saeed Jaffrey? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Saeed Jaffrey would have been 96 years old. Known for his compelling performances and frequent collaborations with celebrated filmmakers, Jaffrey’s career spanned several decades. He was a prominent figure in post-colonial British cinema and played a vital role in bridging cultural divides through storytelling.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1929 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Malerkotla, Punjab, British India |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 15 November, 2015 |
| Died Place | London, England |
Popularity
Saeed Jaffrey's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Saeed Jaffrey stood approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. While specific weight details may vary throughout his life, he was known for maintaining a dignified presence onscreen. His commanding stature and expressive feature were crucial to his performances, enhancing his roles in a variety of films.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Saeed Jaffrey was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Ellen Jaffrey, with whom he had three children. He later married his second wife, the actress and writer Kamaljeet Jaffrey. Throughout his life, he often credited his family for his support and encouragement in his artistic journey.
At that time, his maternal grandfather, Khan Bahadur Fazle Imam of Banur, was the Dewan or Prime Minister of the princely state of Malerkotla. His father, Dr Hamid Hussain Jaffrey, was a physician and a civil servant with the Health Services department of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in colonial India.
Hamid's wife and the mother of Saeed Jaffrey was Hamida Begum. Jaffrey had two brothers, Waheed and Hameed, and a sister, Shagufta.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Saeed Jaffrey had an estimated net worth of around $5 million. His earnings were generated through an illustrious career in acting, television, and voice work. He was also a successful author of several autobiographies, allowing him to expand his financial portfolio.
In February 1951, Jaffrey travelled to New Delhi to try his luck as a cartoonist, writer or broadcaster. He successfully auditioned as an announcer at All India Radio. He started his radio career as an English Announcer with the External Services of All India Radio on 2 April 1951 for a salary of ₹250 / month.
Unable to afford a place to stay and having no relatives in the city, Jaffrey spent his nights on the bench behind the office building. Mehra Masani, the station director, eventually arranged for him to share a room at the YMCA for ₹30 / month. Jaffrey bought a Raleigh bicycle for the commute.
Career, Business, and Investments
Jaffrey's career began in the 1950s, and he quickly made a name for himself in both theater and film. He was notably one of the first Indian actors to gain recognition in mainstream British cinema. His most memorable roles include performances in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), Gandhi (1982), and A Passage to India (1984).
Beyond acting, Jaffrey was an accomplished playwright and worked closely with various production companies. His investments in theater initiatives and cultural advocacy demonstrated his dedication to the arts and the community.
Along with Frank Thakurdas and "Benji" Benegal, Jaffrey set up the Unity Theatre, an English-language repertory company at New Delhi in 1951. The first production was of Jean Cocteau's play The Eagle Has Two Heads, with Madhur Bahadur playing the role of the Queen's Reader opposite Saeed as Azrael. Unity Theatre subsequently staged J. B.
Priestley's Dangerous Corner, Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood, Molière's The Bourgeois Gentleman, Christopher Fry's The Firstborn and T. S. Eliot's The Cocktail Party .
Social Network
Saeed Jaffrey was active in various social circles during his lifetime, often using his platform to promote multiculturalism and artistic integrity. His influence continues through social media discussions centered on his films and contributions, with fans and fellow actors remembering him fondly.
Saeed Jaffrey (8 January 1929 – 15 November 2015) was a British-Indian actor. His career covered film, radio, stage and television roles over six decades and more than 150 British, American, and Indian movies.
During the 1980s and '90s, he was considered to be Britain's highest-profile Asian actor, thanks to his leading roles in the film My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) and television series The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Tandoori Nights (1985–1987) and Little Napoleons (1994).
He played an instrumental part in bringing together film makers James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, and acted in several of their Merchant Ivory Productions films such as The Guru (1969), Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures (1978), The Courtesans of Bombay (1983) and The Deceivers (1988).
Education
Jaffrey's educational background includes attending the University of Delhi, where he initially pursued studies in English literature. Following his passion for performing arts, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, solidifying his foundation in acting.
In 1938, Jaffrey joined Minto Circle School at Aligarh Muslim University where he developed his talent for mimicry. In 1939 he played the role of Dara Shikoh in a school play about Aurangzeb. At Aligarh, Jaffrey also mastered the Urdu language and attended riding school.
At the local cinemas in Aligarh, he saw many Bollywood movies and became a fan of Motilal, Prithviraj Kapoor, Noor Mohammed Charlie, Fearless Nadia, Kanan Bala and Durga Khote.
