Great British actor with depth and gravitas by the cartload or one trick pony wooden-top?

He pops up in quite a lot of films but he always seems to be a slightly different version of Richard Sharpe, a role he played perfectly.
I was reminded of his abundant manifestations while catching the end of Silent Hill.
Adam Riches parodies him in 8 out of 10 cats does countdown.

he's not dead btw if anyone was panicking