Dirk Bogarde Dies; British Matinee Idol In '50S

LONDON - Sir Dirk Bogarde, the British actor who starred in more than 70 films and captured the hearts of many women in the 1950s, died yesterday. He was 78.

The British film star, who achieved his greatest fame in "Death in Venice," died of a heart attack at his London home, said his nephew, Brock Van den Bogaerde. He suffered a damaging stroke in 1996.

Born in London on March 28, 1921, Dirk Niven Van den Bogaerde began his career as a scene designer and commercial artist, but always dreamed of acting. After serving in the military in World War II, Mr. Bogarde joined a small theater group. Soon, he landed roles in the lighthearted "Doctor in the House" series, and by the 1950s, the actor with the boyish good looks had become a matinee idol.

"People forget that Dirk Bogarde was the male hero of Britain for about 20 years," said director Michael Winner. "Every girl in the country was in love with him. He was the United Kingdom's Leonardo di Caprio of his day."

Screaming audiences mobbed him at public appearances. The attention soon led to bigger roles in movies such as "A Tale of Two Cities," in which he played Sidney Carton, and other films such as "Darling" and "The Servant."

During the 1960s, Mr. Bogarde sought a quieter life and retreated from England to a 15th century farmhouse in France.

He began a second career, as a writer, producing several novels and a series of autobiographical works, including "For The Time Being," published last year.

The actor was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.