James Hayter (actor)
Henry James Hayter was a British actor of television and film. He is best remembered for his roles as Friar Tuck in the film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and as Samuel Pickwick in the film The Pickwick Papers, the latter earning him a [BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|BAFTA Award for Best British people|British Actor] nomination.
Early life
Hayter was born in Lonavala, India, and brought up in Scotland, attending Dollar Academy. He made his West End debut in the 1936 comedy The Composite Man at Daly's Theatre. 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.
Acting career
As an actor, Hayter 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 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.
In the 1968 film Oliver!, Hayter played Mr Jessop, the bookshop owner. He appeared in scenes when Dodger steals a gentleman's wallet outside the bookshop and also when Oliver is in court charged with the robbery. Hayter was the Ministry doorman in the film Passport to Pimlico.
His later career included roles in TV series such as The Forsyte Saga and The Onedin Line. In 1967, Hayter appeared in The Avengers episode "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Station" as the ticket collector. He also appeared as Dickson McCunn in the BBC serial Huntingtower, based on the book by John Buchan.
Hayter also appeared in the long-running BBC department store sitcom Are You Being Served? as the senior salesman Mr Tebbs in 1978. He was the original narrator of the UK television advertisements for Mr Kipling cakes. These adverts actually 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 advertisements. "Who can blame an actor in his seventies for accepting money for staying at home? I, now 78, would jump at the chance!" wrote Frank Thornton in a letter to one of Hayter's eight children in 1999.
He died in Spain in 1983, aged 75.
Partial filmography
Sensation – JockAren't Men Beasts! – Minor Role Big Fella – ChuckMarigold – Peter CloagMurder in Soho – Nick GreenCome On George! – BarkerBand Waggon – Minor Role Sailors Three – HansThe Laughing Lady – Ostler, Turk's HeadSchool for Secrets – Warrant OfficerNicholas Nickleby – Ned Cheeryble / Charles CheerybleCaptain Boycott – Music Hall Comic The October Man – Garage ManThe Ghosts of Berkeley Square – Capt. Dodds The End of the River – ChicoThe Mark of Cain – Dr. WhiteVice Versa – BandmasterMy Brother Jonathan – Tom MorseA Song for Tomorrow – Nicholas KlausmannThe Fallen Idol – PerryWoman Hater – Mr. BurrellNo Room at the Inn – Councilor TrouncerQuartet – Foreman of the Jury Bonnie Prince Charlie – KingsburghOnce a Jolly Swagman – Pa FoxSilent Dust – PringleThe Blue Lagoon – Doctor MurdochAll Over the Town – Councillor BainesPassport to Pimlico – CommissionaireFor Them That Trespass – John Craigie 'Jocko' GlennDon't Ever Leave Me – Man with SummonsHelter Skelter – Inn landlord Dear Mr. Prohack – Carrell QuireThe Spider and the Fly – MayorYour Witness – Prouty, Trial WitnessMorning Departure – Able Seaman HigginsNight and the City – Figler, King of the Beggars Waterfront – Ship's captainTrio – Albert Foreman – The Woman with No Name – Capt. BradshaweFlesh and Blood – Sir Douglas ManleyCalling Bulldog Drummond – BillTom Brown's School Days – Old ThomasThe Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men – Friar TuckI'm a Stranger – Horatio FlowerdewThe Crimson Pirate – Prof. Elihu PrudenceThe Pickwick Papers – Samuel PickwickThe Great Game – Joe LawsonFour Sided Triangle – Dr. HarveyAlways a Bride – DuttonWill Any Gentleman...? – Dr. SmithA Day to Remember – Fred CollinsFor Better, for Worse – The PlumberBeau Brummell – MortimerThe Awakening - The ChiefSee How They Run – Bishop of LaxLand of the Pharaohs – Mikka, Vashtar's ServantTouch and Go – KimballKeep It Clean – Mr. BouncenboyPort Afrique – NinoIt's a Wonderful World – Bert FieldingSeven Waves Away – 'Cookie' MorrowCarry On Admiral – Member of Parliament The Heart Within – Grandfather WillardSail Into Danger – MontyGideon's Day – Robert MasonThe Big Money – Mr. FrithI Was Monty's Double – Sgt. AdamsThe Captain's Table – EarnshawThe 39 Steps – Mr. MemoryThe Boy and the Bridge – Tugboat SkipperThe Moonstone – Gabriel BetteredgeGo to Blazes – Pipe SmokerOut of the Fog – Tom DanielsLawrence of Arabia – Arab Sheik at Council Stranger in the House – Harry HawkinsA Challenge for Robin Hood – Friar TuckOliver! – Mr. JessopThe Flaxton Boys – NathanSong of Norway – Butler to BergThe Horror of Frankenstein – BailiffScramble – The Firechasers – Inspector HermanThe Blood on Satan's Claw – Squire MiddletonBurke & Hare – Dr. SelbyThe Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones – Briggs