Prolific stage performer with the Old Vic and the Mermaid Theater companies who made his professional debut in 1945, only entering films in the late 1960s (after an uncredited film debut in "Seven Days to Noon" 1950). Ackland's most recent memorable screen roles include Greta Scacchi's scheming husband in "White Mischief", Don Masino Croce in Michael Cimino's "The Sicilian" (both 1987) and the villainous South African diplomat Arjen Rudd, in "Lethal Weapon II" (1989).

A musical comedy star in the West End productions of "A Little Night Music", "Evita", "Peter Pan" and "Jean Seberg", Ackland won acclaim for portraying C.S. Lewis in the British TV production, "Shadowlands" (1985).