John Carson (actor)
John Derek Carson-Parker, known as John Carson, was an English actor known for his appearances in film and television.
Early life and education
Born to English parents in Colombo, Ceylon, where his father worked on tea and rubber plantations, he was educated in Australia and went to Britain to do national service as an artillery officer in an anti-aircraft regiment between 1944 and 1945. He then studied law at Queen's College, Oxford before leaving for New Zealand, where he worked in amateur theatre before returning to Britain to begin his professional career. His stage appearances included the original productions of A Man For All Seasons and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.Career
Making his film debut in 1947, Carson carved out a career appearing in low-budget British films such as Seven Keys, Smokescreen, and Master Spy. His saturnine looks and sinister voice led to him starring in a number of horror films including The Night Caller, The Plague of the Zombies, The Man Who Haunted Himself, Taste the Blood of Dracula, and Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter.Beside his appearances in horror films he was also known for his many villainous turns in adventure series of the 1960s, such as The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Avengers, The Saint, Adam Adamant Lives!, The Baron, Man in a Suitcase, The Champions and Department S.
His long and varied list of television credits include Emergency - Ward 10, Ivanhoe, William Tell, Armchair Theatre, Maigret, Out of the Unknown, Emma, Dixon of Dock Green, Crown Court, The New Avengers, Telford's Change, Secret Army, Special Branch, The Professionals, Tales of the Unexpected, Hammer House of Horror, Doctor Who, Shaka Zulu and Poirot. He was also the voice-over performer in Sunsilk TV commercials.
He joined the BBC oil industry drama The Troubleshooters in its final series as new deputy chairman James Langley. A spin-off starring his character was considered, but never made it to production.
Personal life
Carson moved with his family to South Africa in 1983 and continued to work in film and television. He died at his home in Cape Town on 5 November 2016 at the age of 89. Married twice, he was survived by his second wife, novelist Luanshya Greer, a British actress, who is best known for her roles on television during the 1960s. In 1966, she had changed her forename from Pamela to Luanshya, and become a writer for TV shows including Dixon of Dock Green, Thriller and Triangle. Carson was also survived by his six children, four from his first marriage, Richard, Chris, Katie and Harry, and two from his second marriage, Ben and Suzanna.Selected filmography
Film
Conspiracy in Teheran Quentin Durward - Duke of OrléansRamsbottom Rides Again - Intent to Kill - Hospital ReceptionistThe Lady Is a Square - Reporter- Identity Unknown (1960 film) - Ray Seven Keys - NormanGuns of Darkness - First OfficerEdgar Wallace Mysteries, Locker Sixty-Nine - Miguel TerilaThe Set Up - Insp. JacksonMaster Spy - Richard ColmanAccidental Death - Paul LansonSmokescreen - Trevor BaylissEdgar Wallace Mysteries, Act of Murder - Tim FordThe Night Caller - MajorThe Plague of the Zombies - Squire Clive HamiltonThunderbird 6 - Captain Foster Taste the Blood of Dracula - Jonathon SeckerThe Man Who Haunted Himself - AshtonMale Bait Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter - Dr. MarcusSkating on Thin Uys - BBC ManSurvivor - Engineer CouncillorTenth of a Second - Man from OrganizationCity of Blood - Prime MinisterAn African Dream - Harry EndicottDiamonds High - HeinrichThe Last Warrior - PriestSchweitzer - Horton HerschelThe Sheltering Desert - HardingThe Last Hero - Fred ZimmermanMy Daughter's Keeper - Bernard EtonWoman of Desire - Judge ParkerMandela and de Klerk - Willem de KlerkOperation Delta Force 3: Clear Target - President FarringtonI Dreamed of Africa - Pembroke HeadmasterThe Deal - Nigel BlandDoomsday - George Dutton