James Hayter
Acting
Born 1907-04-23
Died 1983-03-27
Lonavala, India
105 credits
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James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor.
He was born in Lonavala, India, brought up in Scotland and died in Spain. His best remembered film roles include Friar Tuck in the 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and Samuel Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers of the same year. His rotund appearance and fruity voice made him a natural choice for such roles.
A pupil of Dollar Academy, he became a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, his film career began in 1936 in Sensation, but was interrupted by World War II during which he served in the Royal Armoured Corps. His later career included roles in TV series such as The Forsyte Saga (1967), The Onedin Line and Are You Being Served?. His 1946 television series Pinwright's Progress, shown on the BBC, is recognised as the first real example of the half-hour situation comedy format in the history of British television. He was also the original narrator of the UK television advertisements for Mr. Kipling cakes. In fact, these ads led to his departure from Are You Being Served?; the cake company paid him a significant bonus to withdraw from the series, as they felt his reputation lent an air of dignity to their snack advertisements.
In the film Oliver!, he played Mr Jessop the book shop owner. He appeared in scenes when Dodger steals a gentleman's wallet outside the book shop and also when Oliver is in court charged with the robbery.
Hayter used to have a tree house in his back garden where he would retire of an evening to learn and practise his lines from his current script.
Description above from the Wikipedia article James Hayter, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
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Filmography
— top 60 of 105
Acting
59 credits
The World of Hammer
The Avengers
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Lawrence of Arabia
Are You Being Served?
The Onedin Line
Mark Saber
Father Brown
Oliver!
Wicked Women
The World of Wodehouse
The Crimson Pirate
The Flaxton Boys
Sailors Three
Mañana...
Land of the Pharaohs
The Adventures of Don Quick
The Blood on Satan's Claw
Always a Bride
The Fallen Idol
The Horror of Frankenstein
The Captain's Table
Vice Versa
Night and the City
The 39 Steps
Royal Review
Fair Game
Passport to Pimlico
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Gideon's Day
Seven Waves Away
Helter Skelter
Armchair Theatre
I Was Monty's Double
Beau Brummell
Woman Hater
The Blue Lagoon
My Brother Jonathan
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
The Pickwick Papers
Marigold
Big Fella
For Them That Trespass
A Challenge for Robin Hood
Bonnie Prince Charlie
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones
Huntingtower
Quartet
Port Afrique
Calling Bulldog Drummond
Burke & Hare
Go to Blazes
The Light Princess
Flesh and Blood
Stranger in the House
Waterfront
Carry On Admiral
The Woman with No Name
Other credits
1 credit
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