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.
Acted in 96
1970s
- 1978
The Light Princess
Owl (voice)
- 1976
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones
Briggs
- 1974
- 1972
Burke & Hare
Dr. Selby
- 1971
Not Tonight, Darling
Mr. Finlay / grocer owner
The Firechasers
Inspector Herman
- 1970
The Horror of Frankenstein
Bailiff
Song of Norway
Butler to Berg
The Adventures of Don Quick
Hendenno · 1 episode
Wicked Women
Dr. Macrae · 1 episode
1960s
- 1969
David Copperfield
Porter
The Flaxton Boys
Nathan · 13 episodes
- 1968
- 1967
A Challenge for Robin Hood
Friar Tuck
Stranger in the House
Harry Hawkins
- 1962
Go to Blazes
Pipe Smoker
- 1961
1950s
- 1959
The Boy and the Bridge
Tugboat Skipper
The Captain's Table
Chief Engineer Earnshaw
- 1958
The Big Money
Mr Frith
- 1957
Sail Into Danger
Monty
The Heart Within
Grandfather Willard
Carry On Admiral
Sir Henry Tomkinson (uncredited)
Seven Waves Away
'Cookie' Morrow
- 1956
It's a Wonderful World
Bert Fielding
Armchair Theatre
Bert Taylor, Arthur Tanner, Mayor, Joe Alden · 1 episode
Port Afrique
Nino
Keep It Clean
Mr. Bouncenboy
- 1955
Touch and Go
Kimball
Land of the Pharaohs
Mikka
- 1954
Beau Brummell
Mortimer
The Awakening
The Chief
For Better, for Worse
Plumber
- 1953
A Day to Remember
Fred Collins
Will Any Gentleman...?
Dr. Smith
Always a Bride
Dutton
Four Sided Triangle
Dr. Harvey
The Great Game
Joe Lawson
- 1952
The Pickwick Papers
Samuel Pickwick
I'm A Stranger
Horatio Flowerdew
- 1951
Calling Bulldog Drummond
Bill
Tom Brown's Schooldays
Old Thomas
Flesh and Blood
Sir Douglas Manley
- 1950
The Woman with No Name
Captain Bradshawe
Trio
Albert Foreman (segment "The Verger")
Waterfront
Ship's Captain
Your Witness
Prouty
Morning Departure
Movie
1940s
- 1949
The Spider and the Fly
Mayor
Dear Mr. Prohack
Carrell Quire
Helter Skelter
Inn Landlord (uncredited)
Don't Ever Leave Me
Man with Summons
All Over the Town
Councillor Baines
For Them That Trespass
John Craigie 'Jocko' Glenn
Once a Jolly Swagman
Pa Fox
Silent Dust
Pringle
- 1948
No Room at the Inn
Councilor Trouncer
Bonnie Prince Charlie
Kingsburgh
Quartet
Foreman of the Jury (segment "The Alien Corn")
Woman Hater
Mr. Burrell
The Fallen Idol
Perry
A Song for Tomorrow
Nicholas Klausmann
My Brother Jonathan
Tom Morse
Vice Versa
Bandmaster
- 1947
The End of the River
Chico
The Ghosts of Berkeley Square
Capt. Dodds (uncredited)
The October Man
Garage Man
Captain Boycott
Music Hall Comic (uncredited)
The Mark of Cain
Dr. White
- 1946
School for Secrets
Warrant Officer
The Laughing Lady
Ostler
- 1940
Band Waggon
(uncredited)
1930s
- 1939
Come on George!
Barker
Murder in Soho
Nick Green
- 1938
Marigold
Peter Gloag
- 1937
Aren't Men Beasts!
Minor Role
- 1936
Sensation
Jock
