James Hayter
Biography
James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor.
He was born in Lonavala, India, brought up in Scotland and died in Spain. 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.
A pupil of Dollar Academy, he 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 later career included roles in TV series such as The Forsyte Saga (1967), The Onedin Line and Are You Being Served?. 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. He was also the original narrator of the UK television advertisements for Mr. Kipling cakes. In fact, these ads 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 snack advertisements.
In the film Oliver!, he played Mr Jessop the book shop owner. He appeared in scenes when Dodger steals a gentleman's wallet outside the book shop and also when Oliver is in court charged with the robbery.
Hayter used to have a tree house in his back garden where he would retire of an evening to learn and practise his lines from his current script.
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Full filmography
- The Avengers (1961) as Ticket Collector
- Lawrence of Arabia (1962) as Sheik in Arab Council (uncredited)
- Are You Being Served? (1972) as Mr. Tebbs
- The Onedin Line (1971) as Captain Webster
- Mark Saber (1954) as Longhair Smith
- The World of Hammer (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- Father Brown (1974) as Sir Aaron Armstrong
- Oliver! (1968) as Mr. Jessop
- The Crimson Pirate (1952) as Prof. Prudence
- The World of Wodehouse (1967) as Smithers
- The Flaxton Boys (1969) as Nathan
- The Adventures of Don Quick (1970) as Hendenno
- Night and the City (1950) as Figler (uncredited)
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Bert Taylor
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Arthur Tanner
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Mayor
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Joe Alden
- The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971) as Squire Middleton
- Vice Versa (1948) as Bandmaster
- The Fallen Idol (1948) as Perry
- Gideon's Day (1958) as Robert Mason
- Gideon's Day (1958) as Mason
- Land of the Pharaohs (1955) as Mikka
- The 39 Steps (1959) as Mr Memory