Watching Fawlty Towers recently, I got to thinking about all those British actors that had long, successful careers but that, for whatever reason, would be forever known as ‘being in one episode of Fawlty Towers.” I immediately flashed back to the time we had the good fortune to interview Nicky Henson in 2005 for the PBS program, […]
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It seems like only yesterday that Dr. Martin Ellingham, the surly and self-centered medic with a rude bedside manner and a phobia of blood, blessed the good folks of Portwenn with his vast medical knowledge by becoming the general practicioner in Portwenn, the the sleepy Cornish village where he had spent childhood holidays with his Aunt Joan […]
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Scottish actor, comedian and writer Robbie Coltrane has died at the age of 72. While more than one generation will only know Robbie Coltrane for his decade long role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter film franchise (2001-2011), I first ran across his work in the early to mid-80s sketch comedy series, Alfresco, which he starred alongside Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson.
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Best known for playing Elizabeth Warden, the hyper-nervous next-door neighbor of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, Josephine Tewson has passed at the age of 91. The actress died on Thursday at Denville Hall, a care home for actors and other members of the entertainment industry in north London.
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Bernard Cribbins, the rather fussy spoon salesman mistaken for a hotel inspector in one episode of Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 93. **In spite of a brilliant seven decade plus career, Cribbins will be forever known as ‘being in the “Hotel Inspectors” episode of Fawlty Towers, which is a testament to the greatness of perhaps the best British comedy of all time but speaks more to Cribbins’ brilliant ability to make even a relatively minor role such as Mr. Hutchinson in one episode of Fawlty Towers so memorable.
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As co-writer and co-director of BBC’s The Office, Stephen Merchant is best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais. Several years ago, the British writer, director, radio presenter, stand-up comedian and actor added London West-End appearance to his CV with his first play, The Mentalists by Richard Bean, alongside Steffan Rhodri at the Wyndham Theatre. And, his most recent effort alongside the greatness of […]
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Dennis Waterman, a.k.a. Gerry Standing, of British police procedural New Tricks fame, died Sunday at age 74 in hospital in Spain. As the last original ‘old dog’ member of the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) of the Metropolitan Police Service in New Tricks, Waterman appeared in every episode of the series’ first 11 […]
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Today is Penelope Keith’s 82nd birthday. With a long public television history dating back to the days of Good Neighbors and To the Manor Born to her efforts serving as host for PBS’ The Funny Ladies of British Comedy and More Funny Ladies of British Comedy and right through to her more recent presenting efforts in the numerous […]
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Peter Bowles, most notably known for his role opposite Dame Penelope Keith as the self-made businessman Richard DeVere in To The Manor Born, has died at the age of 85. Airing from 1979-1981, the series was reprised for a one-off special in 2007 celebrating Audrey and Richard’s 25th wedding anniversary with a party at Grantleigh Manor. To the Manor […]
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Best known for her role as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in Open All Hours, Lynda Baron has passed away at the age of 82. Created and written by the great Roy Clarke (Keeping Up Appearances, Still Open All Hours), the iconic British situation comedy starring Ronnie Barker, David Jason and Stephanie Cole ran for four series and […]
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