James Hayter

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James Hayter
James Hayter (1975)
Born	23 April 1907(1907-04-23) Lonavala, India
Died	27 March 1983 (aged 75) Spain

James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor. He was born in Lonavala, India, raised 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 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.

James Hayter used to have a tree house in his back garden where he would retire of an evening to learn and practice his lines from his current script.

Partial filmography

• Nicholas Nickleby (1947)
• The Fallen Idol (1948)
• The Blue Lagoon (1949)
• Trio (1950)
• Tom Brown's School Days (1951)
• The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)
• The Crimson Pirate (1952)
• The Pickwick Papers (1952)
• Four Sided Triangle (1953)
• The Great Game (1953)
• Beau Brummell (1954)
• Port Afrique (1954)
• Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
• Seven Waves Away (1957)
• I Was Monty's Double (1958)
• The Moonstone (1959)
• The 39 Steps (1959)
• Oliver! (1968)
• The Horror of Frankenstein (1970)
• Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)

External links

• James Hayter at the Internet Movie Database