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12
Feb 2022
Ripon cabbie with dreams of making it in the movies
Ripon cabbie Richard Fieldman has been a film and TV extra alongside Hollywood stars Samuel L Jackson, Judi Dench and Michael Gambon.
The A1 Cars owner got into the side hustle after a conversation with a passenger in the back of his cab a few years ago.
The man was an extra and passed on the details of his agent to the curious taxi driver, who now helps secure him non-speaking roles on the silver screen. He joked:
Most recently Richard was in the Marvel superhero series the Secret Invasion that was filmed at the Piece Hall in Halifax last month. He said he was in a protest scene "causing a bit of mayhem".
He's also had roles in Victoria and Abdul with Judi Dench and Mad to Be Normal, which starred David Tennant and Michael Gambon.
Many people will remember Ricky Gervais' character in the BBC comedy Extras, who was disrespected by diva A-listers, including Samuel L Jackson. However, Richard said in real life Mr Jackson is much more friendly.
He said:
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Richard drives his taxi around the Harrogate district for thousands of hours a year, so there's one role that he wouldn't require much method acting to play.
On the rank, he says most are pleased and proud of what he's been doing.
Next up, Richard says his agent has contacted him about being in the hit TV show Peaky Blinders, which will be filmed in Yorkshire later this year.
He hopes to transition into speaking roles and develop his career as an actor.
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