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James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor.
1972
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.
Gender
Male
Birthday
April 23, 1907
Died
March 27, 1983
Birthplace
Lonavala, India
Also Known As
Captain Boycott
1947
Burke & Hare
1972
Morning Departure
1950
Lawrence of Arabia
1962
Oliver!
1968
The Big Money
1958
Sail Into Danger
1957
The Crimson Pirate
1952
The Laughing Lady
1946
The Captain's Table
1959
Aren't Men Beasts!
1937
A Song for Tomorrow
1948
Beau Brummell
1954
Come on George!
1939
Woman Hater
1948
For Them That Trespass
1949
Don't Ever Leave Me
1949
Gideon's Day
1958
Gideon's Day
1958
Seven Waves Away
1957
+ 68 more movies