James Hayter

Acting

Born Apr 23, 1907

From Lonavala, India

Died Mar 27, 1983

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.

James Hayter

Known For

Lawrence of Arabia

Oliver!

The Blood on Satan's Claw

The Crimson Pirate

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

The Fallen Idol

Land of the Pharaohs

Night and the City

I Was Monty's Double

The 39 Steps

Filmography — Acting

Lawrence of Arabia

Oliver!

The Blood on Satan's Claw

The Crimson Pirate

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

The Fallen Idol

Land of the Pharaohs

Night and the City

I Was Monty's Double

The 39 Steps

Beau Brummell

Quartet

Gideon's Day

School for Secrets

Vice Versa

Out of the Fog

The Spider and the Fly

The Horror of Frankenstein

Morning Departure

A Challenge for Robin Hood

Seven Waves Away

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones

The October Man

The Blue Lagoon

Stranger in the House

Trio

The Captain's Table

David Copperfield

A Day to Remember

The Funny Blokes of British Comedy

Passport to Pimlico

Touch and Go

Go to Blazes

Burke & Hare

For Better, for Worse

Waterfront

My Brother Jonathan

Your Witness

Tom Brown's Schooldays

Bonnie Prince Charlie

The Mark of Cain

The End of the River

The Pickwick Papers

Woman Hater

Dear Mr. Prohack

Song of Norway

Once a Jolly Swagman

Silent Dust

The Firechasers

The Awakening

No Room at the Inn

Big Fella

Flesh and Blood

Carry On Admiral

For Them That Trespass

Port Afrique

The Boy and the Bridge

Captain Boycott

Sailors Three

All Over the Town

Helter Skelter

The Ghosts of Berkeley Square

The Big Money

Sensation

A Song for Tomorrow

Always a Bride