Michael Billington (December 24, 1941 — June 3, 2005) was a popular British film and television actor.

British actor Michael Billington.

Billington was best known for his role as Colonel Paul Foster in the 1970 science fiction series, UFO, and for creating the character of Daniel Fogarty in the 1971-1974 historical drama, The Onedin Line. He also appeared as Sergeant Jacko Jackson of the Royal Wessex Rangers in the series Spearhead. Billington’s final television role was in the 1986 BBC drama The Collectors (TV series).

Billington was screen tested for the role of James Bond more than any other actor and was said to have been Albert R Broccoli’s first choice had Roger Moore not appeared in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only. Billington also screen tested for Live and Let Die (1973), Moonraker (1979), and Octopussy (1983). He ultimately appeared in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, playing Sergei Barzov, Agent XXX’s ill-fated lover, at the start of the film.