Vladek Sheybal - born 12 March 1923, Zgierz, Poland, died (from a gastric ulcer) 16 October 1992, Paris, France. Vladek Sheybal worked with Ken Russell from the early BBC days through to the early films and the classic Russell era. He played the major role of the homosexual artist Loerke in 'Women in Love' (1969). As well as his work with Russell, Sheybal appeared in films ranging from the Bond film 'From Russia with Love' (1963) as the chess master, to 'Red Dawn'. Television work includes the series 'U.F.O.' and 'Smiley's People'.