He was born in Hamnish Clifford, Herefordshire in 1929 with the birth name John Clifford Rose (the "Clifford" adopted from his place of birth). He was educated at the King's School, Worcester and King's College London, before appearing in repertory theatre and later with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).His most famous role was as the character Sturmbannführer Ludwig Kessler in the BBC World War 2 television drama Secret Army (1977) and its sequel Kessler (1981). He later played SS General Heinz Kammler in the series "War and Remembrance (1988).He also played leading roles in The Pallisers (1974), Fortunes of War (1987) and Alan Bleasdale's drama G.B.H. (1991). Additionally, he appeared as the maverick mercenary spaceship captain Rorvik in the Doctor Who(1963) story Warriors' Gate (1981).Rose also played a judge in several episodes of the 1970s British television series Crown Court, and as Dr Snell, a sadistic psychologist in the British 1960s/'70s spy drama Callan (1967).He played King George V in the TV film Wallis & Edward (2005). In 2008, he appeared as Bishop Wood, in an episode of the ITV historical drama Foyle's War (2002).In October 2010 he played the part of Father Gregory in an episode of Midsomer Murders (1997).In March 2011 he played the part of The Judge in Enid Bagnold's The Chalk Garden on BBC Radio 3.Also in 2011 he played the bailiff in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with Johnny Depp.In the same year he played James R in The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep.He performs regular poetry and prose recitals in Stratford upon Avon, UK.He became a company director of the charity the Actors Benevolent Fund in July 2013, aged 84.He is an RSC Honorary Associate Artist and winner of the Clarence Derwent Award 2009 for his appearance in The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse, London.