Biography
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
Acted in 87
1990s
- 1997
Without Air
Movie
- 1994
Willie's War
Grandfather
- 1990
1980s
- 1988
Hard Road
Psychiatrist
- 1987
- 1985
The Doctor and the Devils
Dr Stevens
Bulman
Sir Thomas Boycott · 1 episode
The Shooting Party
Sir Harry Stamp
- 1984
- 1983
A Swarm in May
Mr. Ardent - the Headmaster
- 1982
- 1981
The Life and Times of David Lloyd George
Lord Runciman
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
Garkbit (Head Waiter)
1970s
- 1979
Whinfrey's Last Case
General Chapman
Henry VIII
Lord Chancellor
- 1978
A Horseman Riding By
Lord Gilroy · 3 episodes
- 1977
- 1976
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Dr. Schultz
- 1975
Dawson's Weekly
TV
- 1973
Soap Opera in Stockwell
Detective
Big Zapper
Jeremiah Horn
- 1972
- 1971
The Yes Girls
King Reiter
- 1970
Trog
Dr. Selbourne
Emma's Time
Emma's father
1960s
- 1969
Doctor Who: The Space Pirates
General Hermack
Night After Night After Night
Judge Lomax
- 1968
A Twist of Sand
Inspector Seekert
- 1967
How I Won the War
Toby
- 1966
You Can't Win
TV
- 1965
Stranger in the Family
Evans
- 1964
The Protectors
Hartnell · 1 episode
- 1963
The Spread of the Eagle
Casca · 2 episodes
- 1962
A Prize of Arms
MO
Solo for Sparrow
Inspector Hudson
The Traitors
Burton
- 1961
A for Andromeda
Major Quadring · 2 episodes
- 1960
Two-Way Stretch
Prison Visitor (uncredited)
There Was a Crooked Man
Police Sergeant
The Professionals
Edwards
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
The Silent Enemy
Navy Doctor
Pride and Prejudice
Mr Collins · 2 episodes
- 1957
- 1956
- 1955
- 1954
The Gay Dog
Pub Customer
- 1953
Trouble in Store
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
Behind the Headlines
Movie
- 1951
Pool of London
Sailor on the Dunbar (uncredited)
- 1950
The Blue Lamp
Old Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
1940s
- 1948
- 1945
Johnny Frenchman
Choir Member (uncredited)
- 1944
This Happy Breed
Mourner
- 1943
Deadlock
Postman
Millions Like Us
Old Man
The Gentle Sex
Postman (uncredited)
