Peter Sallis

British actor (1921–2017) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peter Sallis

Peter John Sallis (1 February 1921 – 2 June 2017) was an English actor.[2][3] He was the original voice of Wallace in the Academy Award-winning Wallace & Gromit films and played Norman "Cleggy" Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine from its 1973 inception until the final episode in 2010, making him the only actor to appear in all 295 episodes. Additionally, he portrayed Norman Clegg's father in the prequel series First of the Summer Wine.

Quick Facts OBE, Born ...
Peter Sallis
Thumb
Sallis in 2008
Born
Peter John Sallis

(1921-02-01)1 February 1921
Died2 June 2017(2017-06-02) (aged 96)
Resting placeSt John the Evangelist Churchyard, Upperthong, West Yorkshire, England
Occupation(s)Actor, Voice Actor, Singer
Years active1943–2017[1]
Notable workWallace & Gromit,
Last of the Summer Wine
Spouse
(m. 1957; div. 1965)
ChildrenCrispian Sallis
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Among his television credits, Sallis appeared in Danger Man, The Avengers, Doctor Who (The Ice Warriors), The Persuaders! and The Ghosts of Motley Hall. Sallis' film appearances included the Hammer horror films The Curse of the Werewolf (1961) and Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970).

Early life

Peter John Sallis[4] was born on 1 February 1921 in Twickenham, Middlesex (now in Greater London), the only child of bank manager Harry Sallis (1889–1964) and Dorothy Amea Frances (née Barnard; 1891–1975).[5][6] After attending Minchenden Grammar School in Southgate, Sallis went to work in a bank, working on shipping transactions. He and his family moved to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, after his mother had fallen in love with her physician. But he continued to attend school, for a year, at Minchenden.[7] After the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the Royal Air Force. He was unable to serve as aircrew because of a serum albumin disorder and was told he might black out at high altitudes.[8][better source needed] He became a wireless mechanic instead and went on to teach radio procedures at RAF Cranwell for which he won a Korda Scholarship.

Career

Summarize
Perspective

Theatre work

Sallis appeared in the Hal Prince-produced musical She Loves Me in 1963.[7] Sallis later appeared in a 1979 TV Movie adaptation of She Loves Me based of the 1963 musical, although he played the role of Ladislav Sipos instead of Mr. Maraczek.[9] The 1963 musical of She Loves Me was a big success and it led to him making his Broadway debut the following year. Prince was the director of a musical based on the work of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes called Baker Street. Sallis was asked by Prince to take the role of Dr. Watson to Fritz Weaver's Sherlock Holmes. The show ran for six months on Broadway.[7] Just before Baker Street ended he was offered the role of Wally in John Osborne's Inadmissible Evidence, which had been played by Arthur Lowe in London with Nicol Williamson reprising the lead role. The production was troubled with Williamson hitting producer David Merrick with a bottle and walking out before being persuaded to continue. The show was a minor success and ran for six months in New York, opening at the Belasco Theatre before transferring to the Shubert Theater.[7] Sallis reprised his role in the 1968 film adaptation.[9] Later, he was in the first West End production of Cabaret in 1968 opposite Judi Dench.[10]

Television and films

Sallis appeared in more than 150 films and in more than 170 television shows. From 1955–1979 Sallis appeared in many of the ITV and BBC playhouse/play/theatre programmes including ITV Television Playhouse, Play of the Week, Sunday Night Theatre, World Theatre, BBC Sunday Night Play, Musical Playhouse, Armchair Theatre, The Wednesday Play, Play of the Month, Plays of Today, Thirty Minute Theatre, Comedy Playhouse, Play for Today, Armchair Cinema, Playhouse, BBC2 Playhouse and Jackanory Playhouse.[9]

In 1956 Sallis appeared in three episodes of the television series Strange Experiences, playing a different character in each episode, such as criminal Squishy Taylor in the episode "Safe and Sound"; pickpocket Chippy Griggs in the episode "The Pickpocket"; and a Poor Man in the episode "The Inveterate Gambler". Sallis was also the only guest star actor to appear in more than one episode out of all the cast members from the TV series. The episodes "Safe and Sound" and "The Knife Thrower" were first shown in the 1955 TV movie/TV play Fcb TV Show No.1. They were included in the TV movie/TV play to give some idea of how an evening's viewing might appear on the forthcoming ITA channel in London. Both of the episodes where eventually given a separate release on television by themselves as episodes of the TV series Strange Experiences in 1956.[9]

Sallis' first extended television role came in 1958 where he played Samuel Pepys in the BBC serial The Diary of Samuel Pepys.[9] That same year Sallis started in the TV series The Black Arrow as Sir Oliver Oates and he appeared in the TV series The Lost King as abbe Fleuriel in the episode "Monsieur Charles Deslys".[9] In 1959 Sallis played Cady in the 1959 TV series The Widow of Bath based on the book of the same name by Margot Bennett.[9] He appeared in Jango in the episode "Treacle on Three Fingers" (1961) as Oscar Grant.[9] He appeared in Danger Man in the episode "Find and Destroy" (1961) as Gordon.[11]

In 1962 Sallis appeared in Maigret in the episode "The Reluctant Witnesses" as Armand Lachaume.[9] In 1963 Sallis played the lead role of the scientist Mad Willy in the Drama and Mystery series The Chem. Lab. Mystery.[9] In 1964 Sallis played a big role in the TV series The Avengers where played role of Hal Anderson in the episode "The Wringer".[9] He appeared in the BBC Doctor Who story "The Ice Warriors" (1967), playing renegade scientist Elric Penley;[12] and in 1983 was due to play the role of Striker in another Doctor Who serial, "Enlightenment", but had to withdraw.[13]

Sallis appeared as schoolteacher Mr Gladstone in an episode of the first series of Catweazle in 1970. He was cast in the BBC comedy sitcom series The Culture Vultures (1970), which saw him play stuffy Professor George Hobbs to Leslie Phillips's laid-back rogue Dr Michael Cunningham.[14] During the production, Phillips was rushed to hospital with an internal haemorrhage and as a result, only five episodes were completed.[15]

He appeared twice in the series Hadleigh, first in 1971 in the episode "Bow to the Lady" as Dakin and again in 1976 in the episode "The Charm Factor" as Strapper Strapton.[9]

He appeared three times in the British police series Softly, Softly: Task Force. First in 1971 in the episode "Cash and Carry" as Lodge, then 1975 in the episode "High Life" as Professor Dowell and in 1976 in the episode "A Shot in the Dark" as Edward Letheridge.[9]

In 1971 Sallis played a lead role in the TV series The Ten Commandments in the episode "The Nineteenth Hole" where he played the second commandment named Gerry.[9]

Sallis started alongside Robin Ellis, Suzanne Neve, Garfield Morgan, Margaret Courtenay, Elvi Hale, John Bryans, Maurice Quick, James Cossins and Arthur Pentelow in the 1971 British TV Series Bel Ami, based on the French novel by Guy de Maupassant. Sallis played the character Norbert de Varenne in four episodes of the series.[16]

Sallis acted alongside Roger Moore and Tony Curtis in an episode of The Persuaders! ("The Long Goodbye", 1971).[17] He appeared in many British films of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s including Child's Play (1954), Anastasia (1956), The Doctor's Dilemma (1958), The Scapegoat (1959),[9] Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,[18] Doctor in Love (1960), No Love for Johnnie,[9] The Curse of the Werewolf (1961),[18] I Thank a Fool (1962), The Mouse on the Moon,[9] The V.I.P.s ,[18] Clash by Night (1963), The Third Secret (1964), Rapture (1965),[9] Charlie Bubbles,[18] Inadmissible Evidence (1968),[9] The Reckoning,[9] Scream and Scream Again, Taste the Blood of Dracula, My Lover My Son,[9] Wuthering Heights (1970),[18] The Night Digger (1971),[9] The Incredible Sarah (1976),[18] Full Circle (1977)[9] and Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978).[19]

Sallis appeared in many British TV movies/TV plays of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 2000s, including Fcb TV Show No.1 (1955), Kitty Clive (1956), Cinderella (1958), David and Broccoli (1960), Candida (1961), Heart to Heart (1962), Who Killed Lamb?, Graceless Go I (1974), The Secret Agent (1975), Across A Crowded Room (1978), She Loves Me (1979), The Secret Diaries of the Film Censors, A Dangerous Kind of Love, That's Television Entertainment (1986), A Tale of Two Toads (1989) and Belonging (2004).[9]

Additionally in 1968, he was cast as the well-intentioned Coker in a BBC Radio production of John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids.[20]

Sallis played a priest in the TV film Frankenstein: The True Story (1973), and the following year played Mr Bonteen in the BBC period drama The Pallisers.[9]

Later career

In 1972, Sallis played Mr. Bruff in three episodes of the 1972 TV series The Moonstone, based on the book of the same name by Wilkie Collins.[9] In the same period he started alongside Edward Woodward, T.P. McKenna, Russell Hunter and William Squire in the TV series Callan in the episode "The Richardmond File: A Man Like Me" as Routledge as well as his role as Sammy Harrison in two episodes of the TV series Kate.[9]

Sallis was cast in the pilot for Comedy Playhouse which became the first episode of Last of the Summer Wine (retrospectively titled Of Funerals and Fish, 1973) as the unobtrusive lover of a quiet life, Norman Clegg.[21] The pilot was successful and the BBC commissioned a series. Sallis had already worked on stage with Michael Bates, who played the self-appointed leader Blamire in the first two series. Sallis played the role of Clegg from 1973 to 2010, and was the only cast member to appear in every episode.[22] He also appeared, in 1988, as Clegg's father in First of the Summer Wine,[9] a prequel to Last of the Summer Wine set in 1939.

In 1974 Sallis started alongside Glyn Owen, Isobel Black, John Thaw, Roland Curram, Jill Dixon and John Bown in the TV show The Capone Investment.[23] Sallis appeared twice in the TV series Crown Court first in 1974 in "Triangle" as Gerald Prosser in all three parts and again in 1977 in "Such a Charming Man" as Insp. George Storton in all three parts.[9] He appeared in Prometheus: The Life of Balzac in the episode "The Race of Death" (1975) as Victor Hugo.[9] He appeared in the children's series The Ghosts of Motley Hall (1976–78), in which he played Arnold Gudgin, an estate agent who did not want to see the hall fall into the wrong hands,[9] and he played Rodney Gloss in the BBC series Murder Most English (1977).[24] Sallis also appeared in the TV series Yanks Go Home where he played Randell Todd in four episodes in 1977.[9] In the same period, he starred alongside Northern comic actor David Roper in the ITV sitcom Leave it to Charlie as Charlie's pessimistic boss.[25] The programme ran for four series, ending in 1980. Sallis also played the part of the ghost-hunter Milton Guest in the children's paranormal drama series The Clifton House Mystery (1978).[26] In 1980 he appeared in Lady Killers in the episode "Not for the Nervous" (1980) as O'Brien and that same year he also appeared in Tales of the Unexpected in the episode "A Picture of a Place" (1980) as Solicitor. In 1984 Sallis played Leonard March in three episodes of the TV series Strangers and Brothers.[9] In 1986 Sallis played the role of Lucy Walker's supporting father Mr. Walker in the BBC TV Movie A Dangerous Kind of Love.[9] In 1987 he played a former hangman named Sidney Bliss in the tv series The New Statesman opposite Rik Mayall. Although Sallis only played Sidney Bliss in two episodes of the series where as for the 1990 special episode "Who Shot Alan B'Stard?" John Normington played the role of Sidney Bliss.[9]

In 1990 Sallis played another major acting role in the TV series titled Come Home Charlie and Face Them based on the book of the same name by R. F. Delderfield. In the series Sallis played role of Evan Rhys-Jones in all three episodes of the series. In the series Evan Rhys-Jones and his wife Gwladys Rhys-Jones immediately start throwing their daughter, 27-year-old Ida Rhys-Jones, at Charlie.[27]

Voice acting

In his autobiography, Fading into the Limelight, Sallis recounts a meeting with Orson Welles, where he received a mysterious telephone call summoning him to the deserted Gare d'Orsay in Paris where Welles announced he wanted him to dub Hungarian bit-players in his film adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Trial (1962). Sallis wrote that "the episode was Kafka-esque, to coin a phrase".[7] Sallis was the narrator on Rocky Hollow (1983) for all 26 episodes. He voiced Rat in The Wind in the Willows (1984–90), based on the book by Kenneth Grahame and produced by Cosgrove Hall Films, alongside Michael Hordern as Badger, David Jason as Toad and Richard Pearson as Mole. Also in 1983 he played the lead character Jim Bloggs, alongside Brenda Bruce as Hilda, in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Raymond Briggs' When the Wind Blows.[28][29] From 1986-1987 Sallis voiced Harold in all six episodes of the BBC Radio series Living with Betty and he also voiced the lead character Hercule Poirot, alongside Manning Wilson as Col Johnson, in a BBC Radio 4 audio cassette titled Hercule Poirot's Christmas.[30][31] In 1996 Sallis narrated two audiobooks from the Little Bear book series those being Little Bear and Little Bear's Visit.[32][33] Sallis appeared in the last episode of Rumpole of the Bailey (1992)[34] and he later starred alongside Brenda Blethyn, Kevin Whately and Anna Massey in the one-off ITV1 drama Belonging (2004).[35]

During the 1980s to the 1990s, Sallis provided the voiceover for the Polo Mint television adverts as well as voiceover and live action appearances for many other adverts such as Heinz Classic Soup Cream of Chicken with White Wine, Panasonic, Contac 400, Lift Lemon Tea, Hotpoint, Persil Liquid, Super Poli-Grip, Shredded Wheat Gold, Zoflora Disinfectant, Sudafed, Medinex, Flymo Ventura Lawnmower, Flymo Turbo Compact, Mr Muscle Sink and Plughole Unblocker and Beamish.[36][37]

Sallis also voiced Hugo in the animated series Victor and Hugo: Bunglers in Crime (filling in for The Wind in the Willows co-star David Jason who was the usual voice of Hugo, although Jason's voice of Hugo can still be heard in the opening and closing theme songs) for audio cassettes as well.[citation needed] He narrated "Postman Pat's Parcel of Stories" in the children's television series Postman Pat for audio cassettes.[38] In 2005 Sallis narrated the audio CD of Six-Dinner Sid based on the book of the same name by Inga Moore.[39] The following year when Sallis released his autobiography book titled Fading into the Limelight: Peter Sallis the Autobiography he also narrated his autobiography book for an audio CD that was released the same year.[40]

In 2001 Sallis had a cameo voiceover role in the TV movie Hotel! where he provided the radio voice of Little Ashford Flying Club.[41]

While a student in 1983, Nick Park wrote to Sallis asking him if he would voice his character Wallace, an eccentric inventor. Sallis agreed to do so for a donation of £50 to his favourite charity. The work was eventually released in 1989 and Aardman Animations' Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out went on to win a BAFTA award. Sallis reprised his role in the Oscar and BAFTA Award-winning films The Wrong Trousers in 1993 and A Close Shave in 1995.[42]

Throughout the late 1990s to the early 2000s Sallis continued to voice Wallace in many Wallace & Gromit video games, adverts and audio cassettes, and returned to voice Wallace in 2002 TV series Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions and in the Oscar-winning 2005 motion picture film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, for which he won an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production. In 2008, Sallis voiced a new Wallace & Gromit adventure, A Matter of Loaf and Death. Following the Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Sallis's eyesight began to fail as a result of macular degeneration and he used a talking portable typewriter with a specially illuminated scanner to continue working. His last role as Wallace was in 2010's Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention. Two years later Sallis retired from acting due to ill health, with Ben Whitehead taking over as the voice of Wallace.[43]

Autobiography

In 2006, Sallis published an autobiography entitled Fading into the Limelight.[7] As well as his 36 years in Last of the Summer Wine, Sallis also recounts the early era of his relationship with Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park when it took six years for A Grand Day Out to be completed. He says that his work as Wallace has "raised his standing a few notches in the public eye".[44]

Personal life

Sallis married actress Elaine Usher at St. John's Wood Church in London on 9 February 1957.[45][5][46] However, it was a turbulent relationship, with Usher leaving him sixteen times before they divorced in 1965 on grounds of desertion and adultery.[2] They eventually reconciled and continued to live together until 1999. Sallis remained close to Usher until her death in 2014.[47][48] They had one son, Crispian Sallis (born 1959), and two grandchildren.[47] Sallis also had three cats.[49]

Sallis suffered from macular degeneration,[47] and in 2005 recorded an appeal on BBC Radio 4 on behalf of the Macular Society, of which he was a patron.[50] He also recorded on behalf of the society a television appeal, which was broadcast on BBC One on 8 March 2009. Following his diagnosis of the disease, Aardman produced a short animated film for the society.[51]

Sallis was awarded the OBE in the 2007 Birthday Honours for services to Drama.[47] On 17 May 2009, he appeared on the BBC Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs, selecting Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major as his favourite.[52]

Death

Sallis died from natural causes at the Denville Hall nursing home in Northwood, London on 2 June 2017, aged 96.[3][53] He was buried next to fellow Last of the Summer Wine actor Bill Owen in the churchyard of St John's Parish Church, Upperthong, near the town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire, the home of the sitcom.[54]

Stage credits

Theatre

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleDirectorTheatre
1943Hay Fever[47]UnknownNoël CowardUnknown
1946The Scheming Lieutenant[2]Unknown
1949Grand National Night[55]Lionel DunnCivic Theatre, Chesterfield
Suspect[56]
1951Three Sisters[57]Alexei Petrovitch FedotikPeter AshmoreAldwych Theatre
Summer and Smoke[58]Roger DoremusPeter GlenvilleLyric Theatre, Duchess Theatre
Timon of Athens[59]UnknownTyrone GuthrieThe Old Vic
1953The Way of the World[60]WaitwellJohn GielgudLyric Theatre
Venice Preserv'd[2]RetrosiThomas Otway
1954The Dark Is Light Enough[61]1st SoldierUnknownWest End theatre
The Matchmaker[62]A Musician, Joe ScanlonTyrone GuthrieTheatre Royal Haymarket
1955Into Thin Air[63]Virgil PennyGarson KaninCambridge Arts Theatre, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Prince of Wales Theatre, Cardiff, Streatham Hill Theatre, Golders Green Hippodrome, Gielgud Theatre
Moby Dick—Rehearsed[47]A Stage Manager/ FlaskOrson WellesDuke of York's Theatre
The Count of Clerambard[64]PriestMurray MacdonaldRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, Manchester Opera House, Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Garrick Theatre, Streatham Hill Theatre, Golders Green Hippodrome
1956The Rivals[65]FagJohn ClementsSaville Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre
Nude with Violin[66]Clinton PremingerJohn GielgudOlympia Theatre, Dublin, Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, Manchester Opera House, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Gielgud Theatre
Who Cares?[67]J.G.Basil DeanFortune Theatre
1957Janus[68]DennyLionel HarrisTheatre Royal, Brighton, Aldwych Theatre
Be My Guest[69]Frank VerhoffPeter WoodTheatre Royal, Brighton, Streatham Hill Theatre, Palace Theatre, Manchester, Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, Gillian Lynne Theatre
1958The Day Before Yesterday[70]UgPeter CoeQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch
1959Brand[71]Doctor, ProvostMichael ElliottLyric Theatre
Look After Lulu![47]GigotNoël CowardRoyal Court Theatre
1960Rhinoceros[2]BottardEugène IonescoRoyal Court Theatre, West End theatre, Novello Theatre
1962Two Stars for Comfort[72]Mr. MoxerMichael ElliottRoyal Court Theatre, Liverpool, Manchester Opera House, Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Garrick Theatre, Golders Green Hippodrome
1963A Shot in the Dark[73]MorestanHarold ClurmanRoyal Court Theatre, Liverpool Lyric Theatre, London, Theatre Royal, Brighton
1964She Loves Me[7]Mr MaraczekHarold PrinceWest End theatre
Inadmissible Evidence[74]HudsonAnthony PageBelasco Theatre, Shubert Theatre
1965Baker Street[7]Dr. WatsonFritz WeaverBroadway theatre
1966Wait Until Dark[61]RoatArthur PennWest End theatre
1968Cabaret[75]Herr SchultzHarold PrincePalace Theatre, London
1969Anything for Baby[76]NickyPatrick CargillNew Wimbledon Theatre, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Grand Theatre, Leeds, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, Theatre Royal, Norwich
1972A Doll's House[77]Nils KrogstadHugh GoldieForum Theatre, Billingham, Rex Theatre, Wilmslow, New Wimbledon Theatre, New Theatre, Cardiff, The Alexandra, Birmingham, Kings Theatre, Southsea
1974The Pay-Off[78]Edwin PalmerNigel PatrickTheatre Royal, Brighton, Harold Pinter Theatre, Westminster Theatre
1980Much Ado About Nothing[79]VergesPeter DewsChichester Festival Theatre
Old Heads and Young Hearts[80]adapted byUnknownChichester Festival Theatre
1982Sisterly Feelings[81]Dr Ralph MatthewsPeter BarkworthYvonne Arnaud Theatre, Ashcroft Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Richmond Theatre, Towngate Theatre, Poole, New Theatre Oxford
1983The Wizard of Oz[82]Cowardly LionTeddy GreenCongress Theatre
Pride and Prejudice[83][84]Mr BennetBill PrydeTheatre Royal, Bath, Ashcroft Theatre
1985-1986Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, The Old Vic
1987Three Sisters[85]Dr ChebutykinElijah MoshinskyGreenwich Theatre, Noël Coward Theatre
1989Ivanov[86]LyebedevUK Tour, Novello Theatre
Much Ado About Nothing[87]DogberryNovello Theatre
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Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1947A Midsummer Night's Dream[9]Quince
1948Scenes from Twelfth Night and Macbeth[9]Sir Toby Belch
Scenes from Twelfth Night and Macbeth/II[9]
1951Mr. Denning Drives North[88]Minor RoleUncredited
1953King in Motley[9]Will
The New Shilling[9]Mr. Bligh
1954Stranger from VenusSoldierUncredited
Child's PlayBill (grocery merchant)Filmed in 1952
Nineteen Eighty-Four[9]Unknown
1955Fcb TV Show No.1[9]Guest
Moby Dick Rehearsed[9]Actor
Cheltenham Festival of Contemporary Literature[9]Oscar Wilde
1956Kitty Clive[9]John Hall
AnastasiaGrischaUncredited
1958A Night to Remember[89]Minor Role
The Doctor's DilemmaSecretary at Picture Gallery
Cinderella[9]Baron Aristide de Pennilac
1959The Scapegoat[9]Customs Official
1960David and Broccoli[9]Mr. Slingsby
Doctor in Love[9]Love-Struck PatientUncredited
The Millionairess[2]Minor Role
The Poet[9]Giulio
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning[9]Man in SuitUncredited
The Adventures of Alice[9]Tweedledee
1961No Love for Johnnie[9]M.P.
Dear CharlesEdward
The Curse of the Werewolf[9]Don Enrique
The RenegadeHenry Stolt
Candida[9]Rev. Alexander Mill
1962I Thank a FoolSleazy Doctor
The Trial[9]Uncle Max (voice)
1963The Mouse on the MoonRussian Delegate
The V.I.P.s[9]Doctor
Clash by NightVictor Lush
1964Don't Ever Talk to ClocksUnknown
The Third Secret[9]Lawrence Jacks
1965Rapture[9]Armand
1966The Bible: In the Beginning...[9]Minor RoleUncredited
1968Charlie Bubbles[9]Solicitor
Inadmissible Evidence[9]Hudson
1970Menace[9]Narrator (voice)
The Reckoning[9]Keresley
Scream and Scream Again[9]Schweitz
Taste the Blood of Dracula[9]Samuel Paxton
My Lover, My Son[9]Sir Sidney Brent
Marie Stopes: Sexual RevolutionaryErnest Charles, KC
Wuthering Heights[9]Mr. Shielders
1971The Night Digger[9]Reverend Rupert Palafox
The Bristol EntertainmentWater Seller, Coachman, Ameryk, Mayor, Captain Kimber
1972The Reprieve[9]Cossack Horseman
1973Hitler: The Last Ten Days[9]Banker #2
Frankenstein: The True StoryPriest
1974Who Killed Lamb?[9]Lloyd
Graceless Go I[9]Guest Star
1975The Secret Agent[9]Chief Inspector Heat
The Snowdropper[90]Spicer
1976The Incredible Sarah[9]Thierry
1977Full Circle[9]Jeffrey Branscombe
1978Across a Crowded Room[9]Cyril Smallpiece
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?[9]St. Claire
1979She Loves Me[9]Ladislav Sipos
1982Witness for the Prosecution[9]Carter
The Funny Side of Christmas[9]Clegg
1986The Secret Diary's of the Film Censors[9]Unknown
A Dangerous Kind of Love[9]Mr. Walker
That's Television Television[9]Clegg
1989A Tale of Two Toads[9]Rat (voice)
A Grand Day Out[9]Wallace (voice)
1993The Wrong Trousers[9]
1995A Close Shave[9]
1998Everyday Readers[9]Narrator (voice)
1999Shaggy Dog Story[9]Norman Clegg
2001Hotel!Radio Voice of little Ashford Flying ClubUncredited
2004Belonging[9]Nathan
2005Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit[9]Wallace, Hutch (voice)Won – Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production
Colour Me Kubrick[91]The Second PatientCameo appearance
2008A Matter of Loaf and Death[9]Wallace (voice)
2012The Lark AscendingSelf
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Television

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1948For The Children[9]Sir Toby BelchEpisode: "Scenes from Twelfth Night and Macbeth"
1952The March of the Peasants[9]Blakeley Episode: "The Raven's Father"
1953The Heir of SkiptonThomas4 episodes
1955–1961ITV Television Playhouse[9]Daniel Kevin, Corporal Foster, Professor Coogan, Pasquale Sanzio, Peter5 episodes
1956Strange Experiences[9]Squishy Taylor, Chippy Criggs, Poor Man3 episodes
1957–1963Play of the Week[9]Homer Bolton, Hannibal, 'Dusty' Miller
1957–1959Sunday Night Theatre[9]J. G., Snug, Wallace Porter
1958The Black Arrow[9]Sir Oliver Oates4 episodes
The Diary of Samuel Pepys[2]Samuel Pepys14 episodes
The Invisible ManNesibEpisode: "Crisis in the Desert"
The Lost King[9]Abbe Fleuriel Episode: "Monsieur Charles Deslys"
1959The Widow of Bath[9]Cady6 episodes
World Theatre[9]Barere, Simon, Prisoner, Doctor, Provost2 episodes
1960–1963BBC Sunday-Night Play[9]Robinet, Capt. Hardy, Hesketh-Payne, Harry Shell, Danny Fellows, Housing clerk, Gerald Swinney7 episodes
1960Musical Playhouse[92]Max1 episode
International DetectiveEugene Payas
1960–1973Armchair Theatre[9]Sam Carter, Alfred Purdie, Mr. Pender, Onslow5 episodes
1961Jango[9]Oscar Grant1 episode
Danger ManJohn GordonEpisode: "Find and Destroy"
Amelia[9]William Hogarth7 episodes
A Chance of ThunderHoward3 episodes
1962Maigret[9]Armand LachaumeEpisode: "The Reluctant Witnesses"
The Largest Theatre in the World[9]Frank GodsellEpisode: "Heart to Heart"[9]
Crying Down the Lane[9]Champion6 episodes
1963The Chem. Lab. Mystery[9]Mad Willy
It Happened Like This[9]Bill CanfordEpisode: "The Hidden Witness"
1963–1964Drama 61-67Philip Mallard, Ronald Green2 episodes
Z-Cars[9]Seaton, Williams
FestivalCaptain of the Fire Brigade, Romainville2 episodes
1963Zero One[9]Major KonelEpisode: "The Trial"
1964The AvengersHal AndersonEpisode: "The Wringer"
Story BoxBilbo Baggins2 episodes
Detective[9]ManEpisode: "The Drawing"
Sergeant Cork[9]Rev. Hubert Wales, Feng2 episodes
The Sullavan BrothersKenneth K. HirstEpisode: "A Question of Honor"
1965–1971Public EyeColin Renolds, Eddie Meadows2 episodes
1966Knock on Any Door[9]StannageEpisode: "A Laugh in the Dark Question"
Blackmail[9]Miles BeckettEpisode: "The Setup"
1967Doctor Who[9]PenleySerial: "The Ice Warriors"
1968–1969The Wednesday Play[9]Eric, Unknown3 episodes
1969–1978Omnibus[9]Guest, Mirbeau4 episodes
1969Play of the Month[9]UnknownEpisode: Maigret at Bay
Plays of Today[9]Mr. Street Episode: The Ladies: Joan
1970CatweazleStuffy Gladstone Episode: "The Curse of Rapykin"
Mystery and Imagination[9]Brogden, Mundel, Hopkins Episode: "Sweeney Todd"
Parkin's Patch[9]Chief Supt. Mitchum Episode: "Two Gentlemen Standing"
The Culture VulturesProfessor George Hobbes3 episodes
The TroubleshootersHenry WynnEpisode: "We All Need Experts"
Menace[9]Sonny WatersEpisode: "The Millicent Sisters, Edward de Bruno and Ruth - Where Are They Now?"
1971–1976Hadleigh[9]Dakin, Strapper Strapton2 episodes
Softly, Softly: Task Force[9]Lodge, Professor Dowell, Edward Letheridge3 episodes
1971Thirty-Minute Theatre[9]LumleyEpisode: The Railwayman's New Clothes"
The Ten Commandments[9]Gerry Episode: "The Nineteenth Hole"
BudgiePeter Olliphant Episode: "Grandee Hotel"
Bel AmiNorbert de Varenne4 episodes
Paul TempleGeorge RobertsonEpisode: "The Quick and the Dead"
TrialAlmond Episode: "Debris"
JusticeCoroner Episode: "When Did You First Feel the Pain?"
The Persuaders![9]David Piper Episode: "The Long Goodbye"
1972Spyder's Web[9]Grovnik Episode: "Romance on Wheels"
The Moonstone[9]Mr. Bruff3 episodes
CallanRoutledgeEpisode: "The Richmond File: A Man Like Me"
KateSammy Harrison2 episodes
1973–2010Last of the Summer Wine[9]Norman Clegg295 episodes
1973Comedy Playhouse[9]Episode: "Of Funerals and Fish"
1973–1974Thriller[9]Man, Lloyd2 episodes
1973–1981Play for Today[9]Austin Melcroft, Minor Role, Minor Role, Shushin4 episodes
1973The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes[9]Dr. JervisEpisode: "The Moabite Cypher"
For the Sake of Appearance[9]Samuel Pepys Episode: "Perukes and Periwigs"
1974Barlow at Large[9]Joseph Miller Episode: "Snatch"
The Pallisers[9]Mr Bonteen5 episodes
Armchair Cinema[9]BenitetEpisode: The Prison
The Capone InvestmentWheatfield6 episodes
1974–1977Crown Court[9]Gerald Prosser, Insp. George Storton
1974–1979Playhouse[9]Patient, Leslie2 episodes
1975Prometheus: The Life of Balzac[9]Victor HugoEpisode: "The Race to Death"
1976–1978The Ghosts of Motley Hall[9]Mr. Gudgin, Old Gudgin15 episodes
1976BBC2 Playhouse[9]Major VenablesEpisode: The Mind Beyond: The Daedalus Equations
The Mind Beyond[9]1 episode
Jackanory Playhouse[9]Deor Episode: The Winter Warrior
1977Raffles[9]Kingsmill Episode: "The Gold Cup"
Murder Most English: A Falxborough Chronicle[9]Rodney Gloss2 episodes
Yanks Go Home[9]Randall Todd4 episodes
Premiere[9]ErnestEpisode: "The Obelisk"
1978The Clifton House Mystery[9]Milton Guest3 episodes
1978–1980Leave it to Charlie[9]Arthur Simister, Alfred Simister26 episodes
1979Room Service[9]Mr. FellowsEpisode 1.3
1980Ladykillers[9]O'Brien Episode: "Not for the Nervous"
Tales of the Unexpected[9]Solicitor Episode: "A Picture of a Place"
1982The Kids International ShowClegg Episode 1.1
Hallmark Hall of Fame[9]Carter
1983–200860 MinutesMr Bennet, Guest2 episodes
1984Strangers and BrothersLeonard March3 episodes
1984–1990The Wind in the Willows[9]Ratty (voice)66 episodes
1985Rocky Hollow[9]Narrator (voice)26 episodes
1986Mountain Men[9]Mr. WalkerEpisode: "A Dangerous Kind of Love"
1987The New StatesmanSidney Bliss2 episodes
The Bretts[9]Dr. WoodwardEpisode: "The Actresss and the Bishop"
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres[9]Clegg
1988–1989First of the Summer Wine[9]Mr David Clegg13 episodes
1990Come Home Charlie and Face Them[9]Evans Rhys-Jones3 episodes
1991–1992Victor & Hugo: Bunglers in Crime[9]Hugo (voice)30 episodes
1992Rumpole of the Bailey[9]Henry TongEpisode: "Rumpole on Trial"
1996Q.E.D.[9]Narrator (voice)1 episode
Wildlife Showcase[9]
1997First Light[9]Guest
Animal People[9]Narrator (voice)
Exclusive[9]Guest
1998Rex the RuntWallace (voice)
1999Whatever You Want[9]Clegg
2000Turning Point[9]Guest
2001Holby CityLionel Davis Episode: "The Mourning After"
Then and Now[9]Guest1 episode
2002Wallace & Gromit's Cracking ContraptionsWallace (voice)10 episodes
2003Balamory[9]Man at Train StationEpisode: "Snowflake Fairy"
Sooty[9](voice) Episode: "Sooty's Ghost"
2004DoctorsArthur Weartherill Episode: "A Game of Soldiers"
2007Eureka[9]Guest Episode: "Sight Unseen"
2009Kingdom[9]Cyril Episode 3.1
2010Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention[47]Wallace (voice)6 episodes
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Video

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Wallace & Gromit in A Grand Day Out (English language teaching adaptation)Wallace (voice)6 episodes
Wallace & Gromit in The Wrong Trousers (English language teaching adaptation)
Wallace & Gromit in A Close Shave (English language teaching adaptation)7 episodes
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Commercials

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Polo "Something Missing"[93]Narrator (voice)
Polo "Sorry"[94]
Polo "Straight Down The Middle"[95]
Polo "What's In A Name"[96]
1986Polo "Holy"[97]
Polo "Planet"[98]
Polo "Runners"[99]
Polo "Taste Drive"[100]
Polo "Trick"[101]
1995Polo "Corridor"[102]
1997-2000sTV Licensing Commercial [Wallace & Gromit][103]Wallace (voice)
1997Kellogg's Commercial [Wallace & Gromit][104]
1998Reebok Theatre of Dreams[105]
2003Renault Kangoo-matic[106][107]
2004Jacobs Cracking[108][109]
2005PG Tips H-H-Hot[110][111]
2008BBC One Wallace & Gromit's Runaway SledPartially voiced by Ben Whitehead
2009Npower Boiler[9][112][113]
Npower Insheepsulation[114][115]
Children in Need Commercial [Wallace & Gromit]
M&S Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without...[116][117]
2010Npower Widescreen[118][119]
Npower Hand of Dog[120]
BBC One They're back![121]
BBC One Steam Powered Wheel Chair[122]
2024BBC One Ice Sculpture[123]Archive recordings; Released posthumously
Radio Times Wallace & Gromit Commercial[124]
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Radio

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1967The War of the Worlds[125]Narrator
1968The Day of the Triffids[20]Coker2 episodes
1971Haunted: Tales of the Supernatural[126]Narrator
1977The Importance of Being Earnest[127]Unknown
1983When the Wind Blows[128][129]Jim Bloggs
1986–1987Living With Betty[130]Betty6 episodes
1992Postman Pat[38]Narrator
1993The Adventure of the Norwood Builder[131]Jones Oldacre
1996Wallace & Gromit[132]Wallace (voice)3 episodes
2000Hercule Poirot's Christmas[133]Hercule Poirot
2009Desert Island Discs[134]Himself
2012BBC Proms[135]Wallace (archive sound)1 episode
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Audio CDs

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1996Little Bear[136]Narrator (voice)
Little Bear's Visit[137]
1997Wallace & Gromit and the Lost SlipperWallace (voice)
1998Anoraknophobia
1999Crackers in Space
2005Six-Dinner Sid[39]Narrator (voice)
2006Fading into the Limelight: Peter Sallis the Autobiography[138]
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Video games

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1996Wallace & Gromit Fun Pack[139]Wallace (voice)
1997Wallace & Gromit Cracking Animator[140]
1998Wallace & Gromit Print O Matic
2000Wallace & Gromit Fun Pack 2[141]
2003Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo
2005Wallace & Gromit PG Tips Flash Game
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (DVD game)[142]Uncredited
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Paint & Create
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Print Studio
2009Wallace & Gromit: Top Bun[143]
Wallace & Gromit Adventures Java[144]
2010Wallace & Gromit: Wallace's Workshop[145]
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Covers

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1965"A Married Man"[146]Singer
1968"It Couldn't Please Me More (Pineapple)"[147]
"Married"[148]
"Meeskite"[149]
1984"You've Got to Have a Little Bit of Style"[150]
"Fancy Dress"[151]
"We'll Go Boating"[151]
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award ...
YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
1946Korda ScholarshipWorkTraining at the Royal Academy of Dramatic ArtWon[2]
1999Unsung Heroes AwardActingFilm and TelevisionWon[152]
2005Annie AwardBest Voice Acting in an Animated Feature ProductionWallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-RabbitWon[153]
2007Order of the British Empire (OBE)Services to DramaHonoured[3]
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References

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