Martin Jarvis
Biography
Martin Jarvis OBE is a British leading actor with a career encompassing film, television, theatre, radio, and audio recording. Born on August 4, 1941, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, he is also the author of two bestselling books published by Methuen: his autobiography Acting Strangely and Broadway, Jeeves - The Diary of a Theatrical Adventure, which is an account of his time on Broadway in 2001. In television, he starred as Vincent Hogg in a production of Agatha Christie's The Mirror Cracked for the Miss Marple series on ITV and WGHB in 2010. He also starred in the BBC2 comedy and drama Taking the Flak in 2009, for which he received reviews.
Career overview
Martin Jarvis OBE is a versatile leading actor born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK on August 4, 1941. His career encompasses film, television, theatre, radio, and audio recording. He is also an author, having written two bestselling books published by Methuen, which are his autobiography titled Acting Strangely and a compelling account of his time on Broadway in 2001 titled Broadway, Jeeves - The Diary of a Theatrical Adventure.
In television, he starred as Vincent Hogg in a production of Agatha Christie's The Mirror Cracked for the Miss Marple series on ITV and WGHB in 2010. Additionally, he starred in the BBC2 comedy and drama Taking the Flak in 2009, receiving outstanding reviews for his performance.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
130 titles- Brave the Dark (2025) as Henry V (voice)
- Tales of the Tardis (2023) as Governor
- New Chilling Tales: The Anthology (2018) as Self - Narrator
- Hallelujah! (2016) as Self
- Cosmos (2014) as Humphry Davy (voice)
- Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) as Alfred Pennyworth (voice)
- United Passions (2014) as Sir Stanley Rous
- Father Brown (2013) as Graham Snow
- Endeavour (2013) as Henry Broom
- By Any Means (2013) as Paul Hollander
- Phil Spector (2013) as British TV Interviewer
- Wreck-It Ralph (2012) as Saitine (voice)
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) as Birger
- Batman: Arkham City (The Movie) (2011) as Alfred Pennyworth
- Just William (2010) as Narrator (voice)
- Inside the Actor's Workshop (2010) as Interviewer
- Beware of What You Wish For (2010) as hinself
- Taking the Flak (2009)
- Neander Jin - Die Rückkehr des Neandertalers (2009) as Peter Blodnik
- Underfist: Halloween Bash (2008) as Nergal / Police Officer / Tarvis (voice)
- Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007) as Johannes Hentschel (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Ruby in the Smoke (2006) as Voice of Capt. Lockhart (voice)
- Numb3rs (2005) as Taylor Ashby
- The Life and Times of Juniper Lee (2005) as William / Bartok (voice)
- The Life and Times of Juniper Lee (2005) as William / King Teddy (voice)
- ShakespeaRe-Told (2005) as Leonard
- Much Ado About Nothing (2005) as Leonard
- Tales of Isop (2005) as Self
- Stargate Atlantis (2004) as Davos
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Vincent Hogg
- Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (2003) as JB
- The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2002) as Cowfrey Pitt
- Bootleg (2002) as Mr. Blades
- The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (2001) as Nergal
- Lorna Doone (2001) as Baron de Whichehalse
- By Jeeves (2001) as Jeeves
- Jackie Chan Adventures (2000) as (voice)
- Max Steel (2000) as John Dread (voice)
- Lorna Doone (2000) as Baron de Whichehalse
- Sex 'n' Death (1999) as Neil Biddle
- Titanic (1997) as Sir Duff Gordon
- Extreme Ghostbusters (1997)
- Testament: The Bible in Animation (1996) as Moses / God (voice)
- Richie Rich (1996) as Cadbury, Bascomb
- Moses (1996) as Moses / God (voice)
- Space: Above and Beyond (1995)
- Space: Above and Beyond (1995) as Cyril MacKendrick
- The Queen's Nose (1995) as Frank
- The Absence of War (1995) as Linus Frank
- The Tick (1994) as Breadmaster (voice)
- An Audience with Ken Dodd (1994) as Self
- Calliope (1994) as O'Brien
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Colin Draper
- Scarlet and Black (1993) as Monsieur de Renal
- The Tempest (1993) as Narrator
- A Touch of Frost (1992) as Harvey Wade
- Shakespeare: The Animated Tales (1992) as Narrator (voice)
- Emily's Ghost (1992) as Papa
- Murder Most Horrid (1991) as Maurice Howling
- The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship (1990) as Sharp Shooter / Lightening (voice)
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Captain Warburton
- Huxley Pig (1989)
- Buster (1988) as Inspector Jack Mitchell
- Dispatches (1987)
- Inspector Morse (1987) as Randall Rees
- The Reluctant Dragon (1987) as Narrator / Boy / Father (voice)
- Make and Break (1987) as Frank
- Casualty (1986) as Bart
- Lovejoy (1986) as Adam Bailey
- Artists and Models (1986) as Commentary (voice)
- Screen Two (1985) as Linus Frank
- The Black Tower (1985) as Wilfred Anstey
- Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos (1985) as The Governor
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Giles Havelock
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Cyril Ruddy
- Mr. Palfrey of Westminster (1984) as Armitage
- Hamlet (1984) as Self - Presenter
- Natural World (1983) as Narrator
- Countdown (1982)
- The Bunker (1981) as Johannes Hentschel
- Sunday Night Thriller (1981) as Stone
- Breakaway (1980) as Det. Insp. Sam Harvey
- Ike (1979) as King George VI
- An Audience with... (1978) as Self
- Enemy at the Door (1978) as Nils Borg
- Rings on Their Fingers (1978) as Oliver Pryde
- BBC2 Play of the Week (1977) as Klaus
- The Sunday Drama (1977) as Narrator
- True Patriot (1977) as Klaus
- Charades (1977) as Sir Fergus / Sir James
- Killers (1976) as Alfred Arthur Rouse
- Rumpole of the Bailey (1975) as Canon Timothy Donkin
- NOVA (1974) as G.H. Hardy (voice)
- NOVA (1974) as Narrator (voice)
- The Pallisers (1974) as Frank Greystock
- David Copperfield (1974) as Uriah Heep
- Seven Faces of Woman (1974) as James Thurley
- Doctor Who: Invasion of the Dinosaurs (1974) as Butler
- European Heritage (1973) as Narrator (voice)
- Arthur of the Britons (1972)
- The Moonstone (1972) as Godfrey Ablewhite
- The Moonstone (1972) as Godfrey Ablewhite
- The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971) as Philip Marsden
- Play for Today (1970) as Sir Fergus / Sir James
- Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) as Jeremy Secker
- Little Women (1970) as John Brooke
- The Last Escape (1970) as Lt. Donald Wilcox
- ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969) as Godfrey Footman
- Paul Temple (1969)
- W. Somerset Maugham (1969) as Dr. Naughton
- Look at Life: Look at Man (1969) as Self - Commentator
- Nicholas Nickleby (1968) as Nicholas Nickleby
- Look at Life: The Sinking City (1968) as Self - Commentator
- Look at Life: On the Meter (1968) as Self
- Look at Life: High Living (1968) as Self - Commentator
- Look at Life: Where Have All the Butterflies Gone? (1968) as Self - Commentator
- ITV Playhouse (1967) as David Bryant
- The Forsyte Saga (1967) as Jolyon 'Jon' Forsyte
- Escape (1967) as Peter
- Look at Life: Hopping Along (1967) as Commentator
- Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966)
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Aircraftman Dickinson
- Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965) as Father Ramon
- Doctor Who: The Web Planet (1965) as Hillo
- Detective (1964)
- Doctor Who (1963) as Hilio
- Doctor Who (1963) as Butler
- Doctor Who (1963) as Butler / Voice in Reminder Room
- Doctor Who (1963) as Governor
- Dixon of Dock Green (1955) as Vic Hallan
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Martin Jarvis best known for?
Martin Jarvis is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Jackpot (1993), Cosmos (2014), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014), United Passions (2014).
When and where was Martin Jarvis born?
Martin Jarvis was born on August 4, 1941 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK.
How many credits does Martin Jarvis have?
Martin Jarvis has accumulated over 130 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2025.
What is Martin Jarvis's background in cinema and television?
Martin Jarvis OBE is a British leading actor with a career encompassing film, television, theatre, radio, and audio recording. Born on August 4, 1941, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, he is also the author of two bestselling books published by Methuen: his autobiography Acting Strangely and Broa...
Martin Jarvis by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Cosmos (2014) as Humphry Davy (voice) — aged about 72
- The Forsyte Saga (1967) as Jolyon 'Jon' Forsyte — aged about 25
- Jackie Chan Adventures (2000) as (voice) — aged about 58
- Max Steel (2000) as John Dread (voice) — aged about 58
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Captain Warburton — aged about 47
- Enemy at the Door (1978) as Nils Borg — aged about 36
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