James Hayter
Acting
Biography
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.
Born: April 23, 1907
Place of Birth: Lonavala, India
Known For
Filmography
as Owl (voice)
as Mr. Tebbs
as Dr. Selby
as Captain Webster
as Mr. Finlay / grocer owner
as Squire Middleton
as Inspector Herman
as Bailiff
as Butler to Berg
as Porter
as Nathan
as Mr. Jessop
as Friar Tuck
as Harry Hawkins
as Sheik in Arab Council (uncredited)
as Daniels
as Pipe Smoker
as Ticket Collector
as Tugboat Skipper
as Mr Memory
as Chief Engineer Earnshaw
as Sgt. Adams
as Mr Frith
as Robert Mason
as Mason
as Monty
as Grandfather Willard
as Sir Henry Tomkinson (uncredited)
as Silvestre
as 'Cookie' Morrow
as Bert Fielding
as Nino
as Mr. Bouncenboy
as Kimball
as Mikka
as Mortimer
as The Chief
as The Plumber
as Fred Collins
as Dr. Smith
as Dutton
as Dr. Harvey
as Joe Lawson
as Samuel Pickwick
as Prof. Prudence
as Horatio Flowerdew
as Friar Tuck
as Bill
as Old Thomas
as Sir Douglas Manley
as Albert Foreman (segment "The Verger")
as Ship's Captain
as Figler (uncredited)
as Prouty
as Mayor
as Commissionaire
as Carrell Quire
as Inn Landlord (uncredited)
as Man with Summons
as Councillor Baines
as John Craigie 'Jocko' Glenn
as Dr Murdock
as Pa Fox
as Pringle
as Councilor Trouncer
as Foreman of the Jury (segment "The Alien Corn")
as Kingsburgh
as Mr. Burrell
as Perry
as Nicholas Klausmann
as Tom Morse
as Bandmaster
as Chico
as Garage Man
as Music Hall Comic (uncredited)
as Dr. White
as Ned and Charles Cheeryble
as Warrant Officer
as Ostler
as Hans
as (uncredited)
as Barker
as Nick Green
as Captain Potts
as Peter Gloag
as Chuck
as Minor Role
as Jock