The Avengers International Fan Forum

Alan · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:38 am Post subject: Donald Monat (1928 - 2018)

Sorry to say that I have been contacted by Donald's family, who have told me that sadly Donald passed away last September.

Donald will of course be best remembered here as John Steed in the South African radio version of The Avengers, a role which he played brilliantly for two years between 1971 and 1973.

Donald was also a writer, film and radio director and voice artiste. He was a great help to me in creating the Avengers on the Radio site (now a part of The Avengers Declassified) and he also came to the forerunner of this forum to answer members questions. This event is preserved at Declassified:

http://www.declassified.hiddentigerbooks.co.uk/radio_monat_forum.htm

Donald Monat - March 15th 1928 to September 12th 2018
Remembered with a smile and a tip of the bowler

R.I.P.
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Alan
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Hidden Tiger Books

denis rigg · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:00 am Post subject: Re: Donald Monat (1928 - 2018)

Great loss! Sad

Donald was a memorable actor, at first widely known as Steed in South Africa and then all over the world thanks to the recordings that Alan carefully "set in order" and then gave to listen to anyone who wished.

Unfortunately, I could never properly evaluate Donald's work as Steed, but I liked his voice and gentlemanly approach to these productions.

My thoughts are with Donald's family and all Avengers fans. RIP.
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Russian fan-site Steedumbrella.
http://steedumbrella.ru

Denis

Alan · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 7:18 am Post subject:

It is indeed a great loss. A lovely man, so kind and helpful. And like Patrick Macnee, a proper gentleman.
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Alan
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Hidden Tiger Books

Allard · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 11:03 am Post subject:

Sad news, another to add to the loses of 2018.

Alan · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 3:37 pm Post subject:

Indeed. Doubly sad that the news took a while to get out.

His contribution to The Avengers is understandably overlooked globally, but in South Africa he WAS John Steed, and hugely popular.

A sad loss to fans of The Avengers and to all who knew this kind, warm-hearted family man.
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Alan
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Hidden Tiger Books

paulh · Nutshell Joined: 09 Oct 2016 Posts: 24

That's really sad news. After Patrick Macnee, Donald Monat is my favourite Steed. He didn't try to copy Patrick's version, but brought his own interpretation to the role and made it his own. RIP
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Old account paulpdjh

Rhonda · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:26 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear about Donald Monat; he was great as John Steed in the Radio version.
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Ron
Last Watched : The £50'000 Breakfast 4.4.2020

mrs_emma_peel · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:17 am Post subject:

Very sad news - the South African radio series crucially retained the spirit of the television series and showed how The Avengers should be dramatized and transferred to radio and audio productions with plays/serials today.
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James/Mrs Emma Peel

Frankymole · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 6:49 pm Post subject:

It is indeed sad news. Donald and his Steed still keep me company on many an audio outing! A nice chap, and a real gent.
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Last watched: The Man in the Mirror.