James Hayter

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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.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

2005
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Movie Mr. Percival Tebbs (archive footage) (uncredited)
1994
The World of Hammer
TV show Self (archive footage)
1978
The Light Princess
Movie Owl (voice)
1976
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones
Movie Briggs
1974
Father Brown
TV show Sir Aaron Armstrong
1972
Are You Being Served?
TV show Mr. Tebbs
1972
Burke & Hare
Movie Dr. Selby
1971
The Onedin Line
TV show Captain Webster
1971
Not Tonight, Darling
Movie Mr. Finlay / grocer owner
1971
Blood on Satan's Claw
Movie Squire Middleton
1971
The Firechasers
Movie Inspector Herman
1970
The Horror of Frankenstein
Movie Bailiff
1970
Song of Norway
Movie Butler to Berg
1970
The Adventures of Don Quick
TV show Hendenno
1970
Wicked Women
TV show Dr. Macrae
1969
David Copperfield
Movie Porter