Arguably one of the most tolerant television husbands in history, Richard Bucket was Hyacinth’s husband who was an unwilling accomplice in many of her social-climbing scenes. A mild-mannered man with a love for reading, Richard enjoyed his public servant job –- mainly because it kept him away from Hyacinth -– until Season 3, when he was forced into early retirement. Richard spent much of his time on the series responding wearily to Hyacinth’s latest plan or doing his utmost to remain far afield of them.

Clive Swift rose to fame in the 1990s as Richard on “Keeping Up Appearances” after several decades as a stage, film, and television actor. Roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s were followed by feature films like Peter Hall’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Helen Mirren and Judi Dench as well as the 1981 film “Excalibur.” He also made appearances on TV shows like “Doctor Who” and “Inspector Morse.” When “Keeping Up Appearances” ran its course in 1995, Swift continued to work on television, including a return to “Doctor Who” and episodes of “Hustle” and “Midsomer Murders.” Married to novelist Margaret Drabble from 1960 to 1975, Swift died shortly before his 83rd birthday on February 1, 2019.