may not adequately summarize its contents. To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of the article's key points. (December 2010) Alan Bates Born Alan Arthur Bates CBE 17 February 1934(1934-02-17) Allestree, Derbyshire, England Died 27 December 2003(2003-12-27) (aged 69) Westminster, London, England Occupation Actor Years active 1956–2003 Spouse Victoria Ward (1970–1992)[Her death] Sir Alan Arthur Bates CBE (17 February 1934 – 27 December 2003) was an English actor, perhaps best known for the 1969 film Women in Love directed by Ken Russell in the role of Rupert Birkin. This film also starred Oliver Reed as Gerald, Glenda Jackson as Gudrun and Jennie Linden as her sister Ursula..