John Slater
Biography
John Slater (22 August 1916 – 9 January 1975) was an English character actor born in London. He was known for portraying lugubrious, amiable Cockney types and became a familiar face in British cinema of the 1940s. His film credits include The Day Will Dawn (1942, released in the United States as The Avengers), Went the Day Well? (1942), We Dive at Dawn (1943), A Canterbury Tale (1944), The Seventh Veil (1945), It Always Rains on Sunday (1947) and Passport to Pimlico (1949). In the 1960s and 1970s he moved to television, most prominently playing Detective Sergeant Stone in Z‑Cars from 1967 until 1974, a role in which only James Ellis appeared in more episodes. Slater died of a heart attack on 9 January 1975 at the age of 58.
Career overview
John Slater (22 August 1916 – 9 January 1975) was an English character actor noted for portraying lugubrious, amiable Cockney types. Born in London, he became a familiar face in British cinema during the 1940s. His film work of that decade includes appearances in The Day Will Dawn (1942, released in the United States as The Avengers), Went the Day Well? (1942), We Dive at Dawn (1943), A Canterbury Tale (1944), The Seventh Veil (1945), It Always Rains on Sunday (1947) and Passport to Pimlico (1949). These titles are regarded as classic British films of the period.
In the later part of his career Slater moved into television. From 1967 until 1974 he portrayed Detective Sergeant Stone in the police drama Z‑Cars, a role that gave him a high episode count, surpassed only by fellow cast member James Ellis. His work on the series cemented his reputation as a reliable supporting actor on the small screen. Slater died of a heart attack on 9 January 1975, aged 58. His career spanned more than three decades and left a lasting imprint on mid‑century British film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
71 titles- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1967) as Billy Parker
- King of the River (1966) as Jack Elliot
- The Yellow Hat (1966) as Slack
- Blackmail (1965) as Lucien
- Theatre 625 (1964) as Inspector Karl Topfer
- Giants of Steam (1963)
- A Place to Go (1963) as Jack Ellerman
- Mining Review 16th Year No. 6 (1963)
- Z-Cars (1962) as DS Tom Stone
- Nothing Barred (1961) as Warder Lockitt
- Three on a Spree (1961) as Sid Johnson
- Maigret (1960)
- On Trial (1960) as Claimant
- The Night We Got the Bird (1960) as Wolfie Green
- No Hiding Place (1959)
- International Detective (1959) as Ziggy Mazagan
- Hot Summer Night (1959) as Jack Palmer
- Violent Playground (1958) as Sgt. Walker
- The Devil's Pass (1957) as Bill Buckle
- Thark (1957) as Jones
- Mining Review 10th Year No. 8 (1957) as Himself
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Jack Palmer
- Johnny, You're Wanted (1956) as Johnny
- Cine Gazette No. 14: Do You Remember? (1955) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- The Million Pound Note (1954) as Parsons
- Star of India (1954) as Emile
- John Wesley (1954) as Condemned Man
- Mining Review 7th Year No. 8 (1954)
- The Long Memory (1953) as Pewsey
- Strange Stories (1953) as Storyteller
- The Flanagan Boy (1953) as Charlie Sullivan
- Operation Malaya (1953) as Self - Commentator (voice)
- Puzzle Corner Number Twelve (1953)
- Dollars for Sale (1953) as Loudmouth Willetts
- The Faithful City (1952) as Ezra
- The Ringer (1952) as Bell
- The Promise (1952) as Bates
- Night Call (1952)
- The Third Visitor (1951) as James C. Oliver
- Prelude to Fame (1950) as Dr. Lorenzo
- Mining Review 3rd Year No. 5 (1950) as Commentator
- Passport to Pimlico (1949) as Frank Huggins
- Mining Review 2nd Year No. 10 (1949) as Self - Commentator
- Against the Wind (1948) as Emile Meyer
- Escape (1948) as Salesman
- Noose (1948) as Pudd'n Bason
- It Always Rains on Sunday (1947) as Lou Hyams, Morrie's Brother
- The Seventh Veil (1945) as James
- I Live in Grosvenor Square (1945) as Paratrooper
- Murder in Reverse (1945) as Fred Smith
- Read All About It (1945) as Harry
- Famous Scenes from Shakespeare No. I: Julius Caesar - The Forum Scene - Act III. Scene 2 (1945) as Mob member
- A Canterbury Tale (1944) as Sergt. Len
- For Those in Peril (1944) as Wilkie
- Undercover (1943) as Minor Role (uncredited)
- We Dive at Dawn (1943)
- Millions Like Us (1943) as Alec - Man at Dance Hall
- The New Lot (1943) as Soldier in Truck
- Meeting the U-Boat Menace (1943)
- Deadlock (1943) as Fred Bamber / Allan Bamber
- Went the Day Well? (1942) as Sergeant
- They Flew Alone (1942) as Officer on Interview Panel
- Unpublished Story (1942) as Code Soldier
- The Young Mr. Pitt (1942)
- Uncensored (1942) as Theophile
- Our Film (1942) as Jim Owen
- Those Kids from Town (1942)
- "Pimpernel" Smith (1941) as Reporter
- Love on the Dole (1941) as Agitator on Demonstration
- Shunter Black's Night Off (1941) as Narrator (voice)
- The Common Touch (1941) as Joe
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Slater best known for?
John Slater is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Thunder at the Border (1966), Theatre 625 (1964), Z-Cars (1962), Nothing Barred (1961).
When and where was John Slater born?
John Slater was born on August 22, 1916 in London, England, UK. They passed away on January 9, 1975.
How many credits does John Slater have?
John Slater has accumulated over 71 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1941 to 1967.
What is John Slater's background in cinema and television?
John Slater (22 August 1916 – 9 January 1975) was an English character actor born in London. He was known for portraying lugubrious, amiable Cockney types and became a familiar face in British cinema of the 1940s. His film credits include The Day Will Dawn (1942, released in the United States as The Avengers), Went the...
John Slater by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Z-Cars (1962) as DS Tom Stone — aged about 45
- Theatre 625 (1964) as Inspector Karl Topfer — aged about 47
- Violent Playground (1958) as Sgt. Walker — aged about 41
- Maigret (1960) — aged about 43
- Nothing Barred (1961) as Warder Lockitt — aged about 44
- The Million Pound Note (1954) as Parsons — aged about 37
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