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John Leyton

Acting Born Feb 17, 1939 Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England, UK 23 credits

Biography

John Dudley Leyton (born 17 February 1936) is an English actor and singer.

Leyton as a singer is best known for his hit song "Johnny Remember Me" (written by Geoff Goddard and produced by Joe Meek), which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in August 1961 despite being banned by the BBC for its death references. His follow-up single, "Wild Wind", reached number two in the charts.

Alongside singing, Leyton's acting career saw him appearing in television and films throughout the 1960s. His films included The Great Escape, Guns at Batasi, Von Ryan's Express and Krakatoa, East of Java. In 2009 he also had a small role in the film Telstar, a biopic based on Joe Meek's life in which Leyton himself was portrayed by Callum Dixon.

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Known for

Film

The Great Escape

as Willie 'Tunnel King'

Jericho

as Nicholas Gage
Film

Krakatoa, East of Java

as Rigby

River

as Private Wilkes

Full filmography

  • The Great Escape (1963) as Willie 'Tunnel King'
  • Jericho (1966) as Nicholas Gage
  • Von Ryan's Express (1965) as Lt. Orde
  • Ready Steady Go! (1963) as Self
  • The Nearly Man (1974) as Brian Griffin
  • Schizo (1976) as Alan Falconer
  • The Captain's Table (1959) as Passenger Watching Beauty Contest (uncredited)
  • Danger Within (1959) as POW (uncredited)
  • The Idol (1966) as Timothy
  • I'm All Right Jack (1959) as Recruit to Detto (uncredited)
  • Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008) as Sir Edward
  • Krakatoa, East of Java (1969) as Rigby
  • Jukebox Heroes (2001) as Self
  • Colour Me Kubrick (2005) as Lord Charles Benson
  • Guns at Batasi (1964) as Private Wilkes
  • Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981) as Dave Boot
  • It's Trad, Dad! (1962) as Himself
  • Biggles (1960) as Ginger
  • A Life in the Death of Joe Meek (2013) as Self
  • Every Day's a Holiday (1965) as Gerry Pullman
  • The Very Strange Story of the Legendary Joe Meek (1991) as Himself
  • Baby Talk (1981) as Steve
  • The Unexpected Return of Mr. Meek as Self