Richard Wattis
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- February 25, 1912 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England, UK
- Died
- February 1, 1975
- Active Years
- 1938–2004 (67 Years)
- Total Credits
- 111 credits in database
Biography
Richard Wattis was an English actor born on February 25, 1912, in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England, UK. He made his stage debut at the Croydon Repertory Theatre and went on to appear in many West End productions in London. Wattis's film debut was in A Yank at Oxford in 1938. His acting career was interrupted by war service, during which he served as a second lieutenant in the Small Arms Section of Special Operations Executive. Wattis is best known for his appearances in British comedies of the 1950s and 1960s, often playing a character known as the "Man from the Ministry." He died on February 1, 1975, at the age of 62.
Career overview
Richard Wattis began his acting career after leaving his family business. He made his stage debut at the Croydon Repertory Theatre and went on to appear in numerous productions in the West End in London. His first film appearance was in A Yank at Oxford in 1938.
Wattis's career as an actor was interrupted by war service. He served as a second lieutenant in the Small Arms Section of Special Operations Executive at Station VI during World War II. Following the war, Wattis resumed his acting career, becoming known for his appearances in British comedies of the 1950s and 1960s. He often played a character type, frequently wearing his distinctive thick-rimmed round spectacles.
Wattis's acting credits include appearances in many popular British comedies of the 1950s and 1960s. He co-starred in a number of these productions, although specific titles are not mentioned in the available sources. Wattis's acting career spanned several decades, with a total of 111 known credits.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
111 titles- The Prince, The Showgirl and Me (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Eric Sykes: One of the Great Troupers (1981) as Self (archive material)
- Confessions of a Window Cleaner (1974) as Mr. Prendergast
- Aladdin (1974) as Emperor Nanki
- Centre Play (1973) as Arthur
- Diamonds on Wheels (1973) as Sir Hilary Stanton
- Take Me High (1973) as Sir Charles Furness
- Sykes (1972) as Charles Brown
- That's Your Funeral (1972) as Simmonds
- Sex and the Other Woman (1972) as Presenter
- Coppers End (1971) as PC Eddie Edwards
- Games That Lovers Play (1971) as Mr. Lothran
- Too Close for Comfort (1971) as Narrator
- The Goodies (1970) as TV Show Host
- The Ballad of Tam Lin (1970) as Elroy
- Egghead's Robot (1970)
- Wonderwall (1969) as Perkins
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) as Secretary at Sweet Factory (uncredited)
- The Prisoner (1967) as Fotheringay
- Casino Royale (1967) as British Army Officer
- The Troublesome Double (1967) as Mr. Wentworth
- The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966) as Manton Bassett
- Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) as Clerk in Shipping Office
- Operation Crossbow (1965) as Sir Charles Sims
- The Liquidator (1965) as Flying Instructor
- The Alphabet Murders (1965) as Wolf
- The Bargain (1965) as Narrator
- The Battle of the Villa Fiorita (1965) as Travel Agent
- Up Jumped a Swagman (1965) as Lever, Music Publisher
- You Must Be Joking (1965) as Parkins
- Carry On Spying (1964) as Cobley
- The V.I.P.s (1963) as Sanders
- Come Fly with Me (1963) as Oliver Garson
- The Longest Day (1962) as British Paratrooper
- Bon Voyage! (1962) as Party Guest
- I Thank a Fool (1962) as Ebblington
- Play It Cool (1962) as Nervous Man
- Venus fra Vestø (1962)
- The Avengers (1961) as Clarke
- Very Important Person (1961) as Entertainments Officer Woodcock
- Dentist on the Job (1961) as Macreedy
- Nearly a Nasty Accident (1961) as Wagstaffe
- Danger Man (1960) as Hardy
- The Dickie Henderson Show (1960)
- Sykes and a... (1960)
- Your Money or Your Wife (1960) as Hubert Fry
- Follow That Horse! (1960)
- Ten Seconds to Hell (1959) as Major Haven
- Left Right and Centre (1959) as Harding-Pratt
- Libel (1959) as The Judge
- The Captain's Table (1959) as Chief Purser Herbert Prittlewell
- Follow a Star (1959) as Dr. W. Chatterway
- The Ugly Duckling (1959) as Barclay
- The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) as Mr. Murfin
- Second Fiddle (1957) as Bill Turner
- The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) as Northbrook
- The Abominable Snowman (1957) as Dr. Peter Fox
- Barnacle Bill (1957) as Registrar of Shipping
- Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957) as Manton Bassett
- Hancock's Half Hour: Volume 1 (1957) as Hotelier
- High Flight (1957) as Wilson
- Hancock's Half Hour (1956)
- Colonel March of Scotland Yard (1956) as Arthur Cabot
- The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) as Assistant Manager
- The Man Who Never Was (1956) as Shop Assistant
- It's a Wonderful World (1956) as Harold
- The Silken Affair (1956) as Worthington
- The Iron Petticoat (1956) as Lingerie Clerk
- The Green Man (1956) as Doctor
- A Touch of the Sun (1956) as Purchase
- Jumping for Joy (1956) as Carruthers
- Eyewitness (1956) as Anaesthetist
- The Colditz Story (1955) as Richard Gordon
- I Am a Camera (1955) as Bespectacled Man at Book Launch (uncredited)
- The Time of His Life (1955) as Edgar
- Simon and Laura (1955) as Controller of Television Drama
- An Alligator Named Daisy (1955) as Hoskins
- A Yank in Ermine (1955) as Boone
- As Long as They're Happy (1955) as Hippodrome Stage Manager
- Hobson's Choice (1954) as Albert Prosser
- Doctor in the House (1954) as Medical Book Salesman (uncredited)
- The Belles of St Trinian's (1954) as Manton Bassett
- The Crowded Day (1954) as Mr. Christopher
- Lease of Life (1954) as Solicitor
- Innocents in Paris (1953) as Wilkinson
- Appointment in London (1953) as Pascal
- Top of the Form (1953) as Willoughby-Gore
- The Intruder (1953) as School Master
- The Final Test (1953) as Cricket Fan
- Blood Orange (1953) as Detective Inspector MacLeod
- Background (1953) as David Wallace
- Park Plaza 605 (1953) as Theodore Feather
- Colonel March Investigates (1953) as Cabot
- Small Town Story (1953) as Marsh
- The Liberace Show (1952)
- The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) as Seton
- Penny Princess (1952) as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- Top Secret (1952) as Barnes
- Made in Heaven (1952) as The vicar
- Mother Riley Meets the Vampire (1952) as P.C. Freddie
- Bachelor in Paris (1952) as Carter
- Derby Day (1952) as Editor
- Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951) as Casting Director
- Appointment with Venus (1951) as Carruthers - Higher Executive
- The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) as Arnold Billings: Staff of Nutbourne
- The Clouded Yellow (1950) as Employment Agent
- Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) as Defence Counsel (uncredited)
- Helter Skelter (1949) as Compere of Nick Nack Show (uncredited)
- Marry Me (1949) as Minor Role (uncredited)
- The Chiltern Hundreds (1949) as Vicar (uncredited)
- A Yank at Oxford (1938) as Latin Speaker at Dinner (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Wattis best known for?
Richard Wattis is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Confessions of a Window Cleaner (1974), Centre Play (1973), Take Me High (1973), Trinity Is Still My Name (1971).
When and where was Richard Wattis born?
Richard Wattis was born on February 25, 1912 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England, UK. They passed away on February 1, 1975.
How many credits does Richard Wattis have?
Richard Wattis has accumulated over 111 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1938 to 2004.
What is Richard Wattis's background in cinema and television?
Richard Wattis was an English actor born on February 25, 1912, in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England, UK. He made his stage debut at the Croydon Repertory Theatre and went on to appear in many West End productions in London. Wattis's film debut was in A Yank at Oxford in 1938. His acting career was interrupted by war s...
Richard Wattis by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Avengers (1961) as Clarke — aged about 49
- The Prisoner (1967) as Fotheringay — aged about 55
- The Goodies (1970) as TV Show Host — aged about 58
- The Longest Day (1962) as British Paratrooper — aged about 50
- The Intruder (1953) as School Master — aged about 41
- Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) as Defence Counsel (uncredited) — aged about 37
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