‘A Christmas Carol’ Actor Bill Raymond Bids Goodbye To Scrooge Role

Veteran actor Bill Raymond, who brought Ebenezer Scrooge to life in the Hartford Stage production of “A Christmas Carol– A Ghost Story of Christmas" says that this will be his last season. Raymond, who has starred in numerous stage plays and movies, expressed how he loves his Hartford family, and that playing Scrooge for the last 17 seasons would always be one of his greatest treasures as an actor.

According to News Times, the 78-year-old actor has spent nearly 40 years in the film and theater industry and deems that he needs to have more time for his family. Leaving his Scrooge role was not an easy decision, but he believes that at his age, he has come far enough as an artist. Raymond is far from leaving the stage, though, he simply wants to try and learn something new.

The “Lincoln” actor has been in more than 100 movies and TV appearances throughout his entire career. Those include "Dogville," "Michael Clayton" led by George Clooney in 2007 and the "Twelve Monkeys" in 1995. Other famous television series he appeared on are “Law & Order,” where he played as Barry Cavanaugh, and as the Greek in HBO's “The Wire.”

Mass Live reports that the Charles Dicken's adaptation will run starting this Nov. 25 through Dec. 30. Director Michael Wilson will be replaced by Rachel Alderman.

Looking back at how he started in the 1960s, Raymond has had incredible stage credits which include the 2008 revival of "Gypsy" on Broadway. Other than that, he took part on the experimental theater troupe Mabou Mines for nearly 20 years.

When Raymond was asked what are those new interests he wants to pursue after he leaves Hartford, his quick answer is riding his new bicycle. Currently, Ebenezer Scrooge leaves the 19th-century play and continues to appear as Dr. Carroll on "The Cobblestone Corridor."