Anecdotes

He died only five days before his Alerte dans l'espace (1970) co-star Ed Bishop.

Perennial James Bond candidate from the seventies into the early eighties - screentested several times according to his website.

Not only had he screen-tested for the part of James Bond (to replace Sean Connery), but he resembles Connery's first replacement, George Lazenby, and he played the Russian version of James Bond (lover of Barbara Bach) in L'Espion qui m'aimait (1977).

Taught at Lee Strasberg's acting school in London during the 1990s.

Acted in cabaret for one year as straight man to Danny La Rue.

Not to be confused with British journalist Michael Billington.

During the 1970s, he was in a relationship with Dutch actress, later author and lyricist Belinda Meuldijk for three years, according to their official websites, and Meuldijk's autobiography "Papa Pipo". They had met in Spain, at her father Wim Meuldijk's farm. The couple lived together in London.