John Sharp (actor)


John Herbert Sharp was a British actor who made numerous appearances on television during a career spanning 42 years.

Biography

Sharp made more than 130 appearances in television and occasionally films between 1949 and 1991. Although active in theatre, Sharp began as a film actor in 1949 and appeared in films throughout the 1950s. By the mid-1960s he mostly appeared in British television on popular shows of the era such as The Avengers in the 1967 "Murdersville" episode as the publican, the Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) episode "The Ghost Who Saved the Bank at Monte Carlo"; The Prisoner, Not on Your Nellie opposite Hylda Baker, Z-Cars, and in 1976 in The Sweeney episode "On the Run" in which he played Uncle, a homosexual retired Magistrate who becomes embroiled in the escape of a psychopathic prisoner having befriended the prisoner's former accomplice. He performed in Charles Dickens TV adaptations in the 1980s. In 1991, he made his last television appearance in the programme Lovejoy. He played the role of the "apparently cynical" Uncle Will in Luigi Comencini's 1966 Incompreso.
Sharp's most notable television appearances in a recurring role was on the All Creatures Great and Small television series, in which he portrayed Ezra Biggins, an aged, parsimonious and awkward Yorkshire dairy farmer. "John Sharp was just like you see him," recalled Peter Davison, who played Tristan Farnon in the series. "He was a wonderful raconteur and would tell you these long stories." Christopher Timothy, who played the leading role of James Herriot, added: "I found myself getting quite moved when I watched an episode recently, not because of what we were doing, but because all those lovely people are no longer with us. John Sharp was a lovely, lovely man."

Selected filmography

Dr. Morelle: The Case of the Missing Heiress Celia – Mr. HaldaneDiamond City – Reader Your Witness – Police Constable HawkinsNight and the City – Man A Case for PC 49 – Desk SergeantAngels One Five – 'Soss'The [House Across the Lake (1954 film)|The House Across the Lake] – Mr. HardcastleChild's Play – Police Sgt. ButlerLeft Right and Centre – Mr. ReevesNo Love for Johnnie – Railway Station Master The Golden Rabbit – PeeblesStork Talk – Papa PierreA Jolly Bad Fellow – HodgesBunny Lake Is Missing – Finger Print ManTake a Pair of Private Eyes – CrozierMisunderstood – Uncle William 'Will'Three Bites of the Apple – Joe BatterflyThe White Bus – MacebearerMrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter – OakshotSpring and [Port Wine (film)|Spring and Port Wine] – Bowler 4Brother Sun, Sister Moon – Bishop GuidoThat's Your Funeral – MayorShabby Tiger Piggy White And Now the Screaming Starts! – Henry's friendThe [Wicker Man (1973 film)|The Wicker Man] – Doctor EwanWatch Out, We're Mad – The BossGalileo – Monk OfficialBarry Lyndon – DoolanRobin's Nest – ButcherJabberwocky – Sergeant at GateVelvet Hands – BennyThe Quiz Kid – StanwellThe Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu – Sir Nules ThuddThe Bunker – Dr. MorellThe [Return of the Soldier (film)|The Return of the Soldier] – PearsonThe Dresser – Mr. BottomleyTop Secret! – Maitre D'A Christmas Carol – TiptonThe Bride – BailiffThat Summer of White Roses – Gradonacelnik / The Mayor