John Horsley (actor)


John Lovell Horsley was an English actor.

Early life

Horsley was born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England. The son of a doctor, he made his acting debut at the Theatre Royal in Bournemouth. After appearing in repertory theatres he was called up for military service in the Royal Devon Yeomanry, in which he served in Sicily and Italy during the Second World War. He then contracted hepatitis and become a member of an Army drama company that toured military units.

Career

Horsley's early career as a professional actor saw him playing a succession of doctors and policemen, including a doctor in the film Hell Drivers and a policeman in the television show Big Breadwinner Hog. Between 1957-'59, he played Superintendent Whitelaw, in Shadow Squad.
He was more prolific in television from the 1960s, and played character roles in many series and programmes including The Lotus Eaters and The Duchess of Duke Street. He is best known for his role as Doc Morrissey in the BBC sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, in which his catchphrase was "Take two aspirins." He reprised the role in The Legacy of Reginald Perrin in 1996. Horsley starred opposite David Roper, Peter Sallis, Gwen Cherrell, Sally Kinghorn, Jean Heywood and David Ross in the ITV comedy series Leave it to Charlie as Desmond ffolliott. He also starred in the 1980s comedy series My Husband and I.
Horsley played Giles Rowley in "The Colonel's Lady", an episode of Tales of the Unexpected. He played Sir Ralph Shawcross in the BBC sitcom You Rang, M'Lord? and the Bishop of Tatchester in the BBC's adaptation of John Masefield's The Box of Delights. He appeared as Professor Wanstead in Nemesis, an episode of Miss Marple, in 1987, and as Edward Tressilian in Hercule Poirot's Christmas, an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot, in 1995. He also appeared as Clive in "Co-respondents Course", an episode of the sitcom Hi-de-Hi!. His final role was in the TV mini-series Rebecca in 1997.

Personal life

Horsley was married to the actress June Marshall from 1948 until her death, and they had two daughters.
Horsley died on 12 January 2014 at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors.

Selected filmography

Highly Dangerous – Customs officerBlackmailed – Maggie's doctorThe Quiet Woman – Inspector BromleyAppointment with Venus – Naval Officer KentEncore – Joe, Mate The Frightened Man – Harry ArmstrongThe Lost Hours – BrownThe Long Memory – BletchleyTime Bomb – Constable Charles BaronDeadly Nightshade – Inspector ClementsSailor of the King – Commander John WillisWheel of Fate – Detective Sergeant SimpsonRecoil – Inspector TrubridgePersonal Affair – Parson Meet Mr. Malcolm – Tony BarlowImpulse – Police officerThe Maggie – Man in office The Runaway Bus – Inspector HenleyDouble Exposure – LamportNight People – Lieutenant Colonel StanwaysForbidden Cargo – Customs officer Father Brown – Inspector WilkinsDelayed Action – WorsleySeagulls Over Sorrento – John Phillips – doctor / surgeon Up to His Neck – Navigating officer Mad About Men – Sports organiser The Brain Machine – Dr RichardsAbove Us the Waves – Lieutenant AndersonLittle Red Monkey – Det. Sgt GibsonBarbados Quest – Det. Insp. TaylorThey Can't Hang Me – Assistant CommissionerA Time to Kill – Peter HastingsBond of Fear – Motorcycle policemanBreakaway – Michael MatlockThe Weapon – JohnsonCircus Friends – Bert MarlowYangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst – Chief staff officerStranger in Town – Inspector PowellHell Drivers – Doctor attending GinoMan in the Shadow – Alan PetersBarnacle Bill – First surgeonDunkirk – PadreStormy Crossing – Detective Inspector ParryOperation Amsterdam – Commander BowermanBen-Hur – Spintho A Touch of Larceny – First editor Wrong Number – Superintendent BlakeSink the Bismarck! – Captain Seven Keys – Police sergeant The Secret Ways – Jon BrainbridgeThe Sinister Man – PathologistSerena – Mr FisherJigsaw – Superintendent Ramsey Night of the Prowler – Detective Inspector CameronReturn to Sender – Superintendent GilchristPanic – Inspector MalcolmThe Comedy Man – Co-pilot Where the Bullets Fly – Air MarshalThe Limbo Line – RichardsSecrets – Dr JefferiesThe Doctor and the Devils – Dr MackendrickThe Fourth Protocol – Sir Anthony PlumbStanley's Dragon – Mr Little