Brian Murphy (actor)
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| Brian Murphy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 September 1933 Ventnor, Isle of Wight, U.K. |
Brian Murphy (born September 25, 1933 in Ventnor, Isle of Wight) is a British actor.
Although a prolific actor in many films and theatre productions for almost half a century, Murphy's most famous role was as the henpecked husband George Roper in the sitcom Man About The House and spin-off George and Mildred.
He was called up to do his military service at RAF Northwood, where he met future The Good Life actor Richard Briers. Murphy was a member of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, and a jobbing actor in the 1960s and early 1970s, combining his theatre work with appearances in television shows such as The Avengers, Z Cars and Dixon of Dock Green, before being cast in the role which would make him a household name.
In Man About The House, Murphy played the lazy and scheming George Roper, a sub-letting landlord of a house converted into flats who had a young man and two women renting the flat above. His wife, Mildred, was played by Yootha Joyce. Her domineering, social-climbing characteristic was a sharp contrast to George's desire for an easy and quiet life and the pairing were an instant hit. A contributing factor to their immediate chemistry was the fact they had been friends for many years (he starred in Yootha Joyce's very first movie, Sparrows Can't Sing in 1963). When Man About The House reached a conclusion in 1976, a spin-off was created for Murphy and Joyce, entitled George and Mildred. This ran for five series' until 1979. Murphy reprised his role in feature films of both sitcoms.
Yootha Joyce died in 1980 of hepatitis, as a result of years of chronic alcoholism - she had apparently been drinking a litre bottle of brandy every day for many years[1] - and Murphy, who was at her bedside as her closest friend, was left devastated.[2]
He returned to the theatre but has been sporadically on television ever since, with memorable roles in Lame Ducks (as a private investigator); The Bill (as a drunken tramp dressed as an elf at Christmas); comedy series One Foot in the Grave starring Richard Wilson (playing a character called Mr Foskett)[3] ; Last of the Summer Wine (as Alvin Smedley; with his introduction, the stunts, and an element of physical humour returned to the series), Brookside as well as countless others. He most recently made a regular appearance in The Catherine Tate Show.
Murphy's second wife is popular "Hi-De-Hi" actress, Linda Regan.
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[edit] Theatre
- Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Christopher Bond), Theatre Royal Stratford East, Title role (Sweeney Todd), 1973.
- On Your Way, Riley (Alan Plater), The Queen's Theatre, Arthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley), February-March, 1983
- Roll On Friday (Roger Hall, Watford Palace Theatre, Jim, October, 1989.
[edit] Selected television roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 to 1976 | Man About The House | George Roper |
| 1976 to 1980 | George and Mildred | George Roper |
| 1981 | The Incredible Mr Tanner | Ernest Tanner |
| 1984 to 1985 | Lame Ducks (TV series) | Ansell |
| 2003 to Present | Last of the Summer Wine | Alvin Smedley |
[edit] References
- ^ Joyce died hepatitis caused by alcoholism http://www.albertandharold.co.uk/artist.php?artist=3 Retrieved 25/09/07
- ^ Murphy at Joyce's bedside http://www.albertandharold.co.uk/artist.php?artist=3 Retrieved 24/09/07
- ^ Mr Foskett http://uk-tv-guide.com/programme-details/UKTV+Gold/23+September+2007/23:10/One+Foot+in+the+Grave/Sitcom/ Retrieved 24/09/07
[edit] External links
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