“Grinning, arrogant, sharp-witted — and alive — Chessman, committer of indescribable crimes, is a heavy reproach to the state’s conscience,” The Times argued, saying his supporters were ignorant of the gravity of his crimes “because the newspapers dare not publish the horrible details.”

After a single audition, Coughlan was cast as Penelope, a thoughtful, sharp-witted young woman with an overbearing mother and tacky, dim-witted sisters.

Gwen Crockett said her daughter was a sharp-witted speaker from a young age.

The character — a sharp-witted, Brooklyn-loving, Air Jordan-wearing Knicks superfan — would go on to star in a slew of commercials for Michael Jordan’s sneaker line, still played by Lee.

Zephaniah, who was born in Birmingham in central England on April 15, 1958, was a sharp-witted and often provocative presence across British media as well as regularly performing at political gatherings and demonstrations.