James Hazeldine
Encyclopedia
James Hazeldine was a British
film
, stage
and television
actor
. He was born in Salford, Lancashire
.
James started his career in repertory theatre, firstly in weekly rep, then at the Manchester Library theatre and on to the Royal Court Theatre in London's Sloane Square, where he appeared in the Edward Bond season and then "Over Garden's Out", by Peter Gill. During his career he played leading parts at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and The National Theatre.
He was best known for his television appearances in London's Burning
in which he played Mike "Bayleaf" Wilson from 1986 to 1996. He also directed some episodes.
In 1973 he appeared as Frank Barraclough in the drama series Sam. He also played the lead role of Tom Crane in the 1979 paranormal thriller series The Omega Factor
, and starred in the series Chocky
(1984) and its sequels Chocky's Children (1985) and Chocky's Challenge (1986), all scripted by one of The Omega Factor's writers, Anthony Read
. In 1988, Hazeldine also starred in BBC comedy series Streets Apart. In 1999, he played Austin Danforth in the ITV drama The Last Train
and in 2001 he played the role of Ivan Braithwaite in Adrian Mole: the Cappuccino Years
. His film credits included The National Health
(1973) and The Medusa Touch
(1978).
Hazeldine also starred in Granada television's production of "The Musgrave Ritual", as part of the "The Return of Sherlock Holmes
" series, alongside Jeremy Brett
, as well as the Miss Marple story "The Murder at the Vicarage
" alongside Joan Hickson
, Paul Eddington
and Cheryl Campbell
. Shortly before he died, Hazeldine appeared as DI Stan Egerton in the ITV
television drama Shipman
(2002).
When Hazeldine died suddenly of aortic dissection, six months after having a triple heart bypass, Trevor Nunn, director of the Royal National Theatre, described him as "a leading actor of minutely observed truthfulness, comic brio and emotional daring".
His son, Sam, is an actor, as are his nieces, Robyn Moore, Charlotte Moore and Angela Hazeldine
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, stage
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He was born in Salford, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
.
James started his career in repertory theatre, firstly in weekly rep, then at the Manchester Library theatre and on to the Royal Court Theatre in London's Sloane Square, where he appeared in the Edward Bond season and then "Over Garden's Out", by Peter Gill. During his career he played leading parts at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and The National Theatre.
He was best known for his television appearances in London's Burning
London's Burning
London's Burning was a British television drama programme produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network that focused on the lives of members of the London Fire Brigade, principally those of the Blue Watch at a fictional fire station called Blackwall.It was broadcast between 1986 and...
in which he played Mike "Bayleaf" Wilson from 1986 to 1996. He also directed some episodes.
In 1973 he appeared as Frank Barraclough in the drama series Sam. He also played the lead role of Tom Crane in the 1979 paranormal thriller series The Omega Factor
The Omega Factor
The Omega Factor is a British television series produced by BBC Scotland in 1979...
, and starred in the series Chocky
Chocky
This article is about the novel; see also the TV series Chocky Chocky is a science fiction novel by John Wyndham, first published in 1968 by Michael Joseph. The BBC produced a radio adaption by John Tydeman in 1967...
(1984) and its sequels Chocky's Children (1985) and Chocky's Challenge (1986), all scripted by one of The Omega Factor's writers, Anthony Read
Anthony Read
Anthony "Tony" Read is a British script editor, television writer and author. He was principally active in British television from the 1960s to the mid-1980s, although he occasionally contributed to televised productions until 1999. Starting in the 1980s, he launched a second career as a print...
. In 1988, Hazeldine also starred in BBC comedy series Streets Apart. In 1999, he played Austin Danforth in the ITV drama The Last Train
The Last Train
The Last Train is a British six-part post-apocalyptic television drama serial first broadcast on the ITV network in 1999. It has since been repeated on ITV2 in 1999/2001 and on numerous occasions on the UK Sci-Fi Channel...
and in 2001 he played the role of Ivan Braithwaite in Adrian Mole: the Cappuccino Years
Adrian Mole: the Cappuccino Years (TV series)
Adrian Mole: the Cappiccino Years is a television series aired by the BBC in 2001. The series was based on the book from the Adrian Mole series, The Cappuccino Years.-Premise:...
. His film credits included The National Health
The National Health (film)
The National Health is a 1973 British comedy film directed by Jack Gold and starring Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely and Eleanor Bron. It is based on the play The National Health by Peter Nichols, in which the staff struggle to cope in an underfunded NHS hospital...
(1973) and The Medusa Touch
The Medusa Touch (film)
The Medusa Touch is a 1978 British supernatural thriller film directed by Jack Gold. It starred Richard Burton, Lino Ventura, Lee Remick and Harry Andrews, with cameos by Alan Badel, Derek Jacobi, Gordon Jackson, Jeremy Brett and Michael Hordern...
(1978).
Hazeldine also starred in Granada television's production of "The Musgrave Ritual", as part of the "The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 13 Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1903-1904, by Arthur Conan Doyle.-History:...
" series, alongside Jeremy Brett
Jeremy Brett
Jeremy Brett , born Peter Jeremy William Huggins, was an English actor, most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in four Granada TV series.-Early life:...
, as well as the Miss Marple story "The Murder at the Vicarage
The Murder at the Vicarage
The Murder at the Vicarage is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in October 1930 and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company later in the same year...
" alongside Joan Hickson
Joan Hickson
Joan Hickson OBE was an English actress of theatre, film and television, famed for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in the television series Miss Marple.- Wivenhoe :...
, Paul Eddington
Paul Eddington
Paul Eddington CBE was an English actor best known for his appearances in popular television sitcoms of the 1970s and 80s: The Good Life, Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.-Early life:...
and Cheryl Campbell
Cheryl Campbell
Cheryl Campbell is an English actor of stage, film and television.-Early years:Cheryl Campbell was educated at Francis Bacon Grammar School, St Albans; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art...
. Shortly before he died, Hazeldine appeared as DI Stan Egerton in the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
television drama Shipman
Shipman (television film)
Shipman is a 2002 ITV television drama film, about the life and crimes of serial killer Harold Shipman. The film was directed by Roger Bamford and written by Michael Eaton.-Cast:*James Bolam as Harold Shipman...
(2002).
When Hazeldine died suddenly of aortic dissection, six months after having a triple heart bypass, Trevor Nunn, director of the Royal National Theatre, described him as "a leading actor of minutely observed truthfulness, comic brio and emotional daring".
His son, Sam, is an actor, as are his nieces, Robyn Moore, Charlotte Moore and Angela Hazeldine
Angela Hazeldine
Angela Lee Hazeldine is a British actress and musician, known for portraying Gemma Craig in the Five soap opera Family Affairs.-Background:The late actor James Hazeldine was a cousin of Hazeldine's father...
.
Selected filmography
- Nicholas and AlexandraNicholas and AlexandraNicholas and Alexandra is a 1971 biographical film which tells the story of the last Russian monarch, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and his wife, Tsarina Alexandra....
(1971) - The Ruling ClassThe Ruling ClassThe Ruling Class is a 1972 British black comedy film. It is an adaptation of Peter Barnes' satirical stage play which tells the story of a paranoid schizophrenic British nobleman who inherits a peerage. The film costars Alastair Sim, William Mervyn, Coral Browne, Harry Andrews, Carolyn Seymour,...
(1972) - The National HealthThe National Health (film)The National Health is a 1973 British comedy film directed by Jack Gold and starring Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely and Eleanor Bron. It is based on the play The National Health by Peter Nichols, in which the staff struggle to cope in an underfunded NHS hospital...
(1973) - StardustStardust (1974 film)Stardust is a 1974 British film directed by Michael Apted and starring David Essex and Adam Faith. The film is the sequel to the 1973 film That'll Be The Day...
(1974) - The Medusa TouchThe Medusa Touch (film)The Medusa Touch is a 1978 British supernatural thriller film directed by Jack Gold. It starred Richard Burton, Lino Ventura, Lee Remick and Harry Andrews, with cameos by Alan Badel, Derek Jacobi, Gordon Jackson, Jeremy Brett and Michael Hordern...
(1978) - Business as UsualBusiness as Usual (film)Business as Usual is a 1987 drama film written and directed by Lezli-An Barrett, the only feature film of her directing career. It stars Glenda Jackson and John Thaw.-Plot:...
(1987)