In the late 1940s and 1950s, Gough appeared in such motion pictures as ANNA KARENINA, THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT, THE SWORD AND THE ROSE, RICHARD III, REACH FOR THE SKY and THE HORSE'S MOUTH.

During the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, Gough starred in a series of horror films for Hammer and other studios, which brought him permanent cult status among fans of the genre. They included HORROR OF DRACULA, THE BLACK ZOO, KONGA, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE SKULL, TROG, and BERSERK!.

Gough later returned to prestigious mainstream films, including WOMEN IN LOVE, JULIUS CAESAR, THE GO-BETWEEN, HENRY VIII AND HIS SIX WIVES, SAVAGE MASSIAH, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL, THE DRESSER, TOP SECRET! (in which he appeared with Val Kilmer), CARAVAGGIO, THE FOURTH PROTOCOL, OUT OF AFRICA, STRAPLESS, BLACKEYES, LET HIM HAVE IT, NOSTRADAMUS and THE AGE OF INNOCENCE.

On television, Gough was seen in the mini-series THE SEARCH FOR THE NILE, QB VII, SMILEY'S PEOPLE, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED and INSIDE THE THIRD REICH, as well as on the popular fantasy series DR. WHO.