Jimmy Thompson (actor)
Encyclopedia
James Edward Thompson (30 October 1925 – 21 April 2005) was an English actor, writer, and director.
He was born in Halifax
and educated at St. Peter’s school
in York
. As a young man he began his career in repertory
theatre in Yorkshire
and he toured with a theatrical company headed by Jean Forbes-Robertson.
After his national service, he moved to London
, and his early appearances on the West End stage
were in intimate revue
.
In 1956, he became known for his impersonation of the American pianist and entertainer, Liberace
, in the revue, For Amusement Only, at the Apollo Theatre
. Thompson was called in the 1959 libel action brought by the pianist against the Daily Mirror, and was himself subsequently sued by Liberace. Thompson settled out of court, making a donation to an actors’ charity.
In 1959, he and his wife, Nina, co-authored a musical comedy, The Quiz Kid, which was presented at the Lyric, Hammersmith
. In 1964, he starred in Monsieur Blaise at the Royal Court
and Phoenix
theatres, a play adapted by his wife from the Claude Magnier farce. In 1974, Thompson starred in The Englishman Amused at the Young Vic, a production which again he co-wrote with his wife. In 1992, he was once more in revue, appearing at the Whitehall Theatre in Spread A Little Happiness, the Vivian Ellis
musical.
In the 1960s, Thompson appeared regularly in the BBC
television programme, Pinky and Perky
, created by Jan and Vlasta Dalibor. In 1967, he starred in the title role in the first BBC Two play in colour, Lieutenant Tenant. Other television appearances included The Benny Hill Show
(1970), and George and Mildred
(1978).
His film appearances included Carry on Regardless
, Carry On Cruising
(1962), and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
(1965).
His directorial credits included directing Simon Ward
in Perchance to Dream, Patrick Cargill
in Don’t Misunderstand Me, Mollie Sugden
in My Giddy Aunt, Windsor Davies
in My Wife Whatsername, Peggy Mount
in Blithe Spirit
, and the original production of Jeeves Takes Charge with Edward Duke.
After the death of his wife in 1999, he retired to York where he died in 2005.
He was born in Halifax
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
and educated at St. Peter’s school
St Peter's School, York
St Peter's School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in the English City of York, with extensive grounds on the banks of the River Ouse...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
. As a young man he began his career in repertory
Repertory
Repertory or rep, also called stock in the United States, is a term used in Western theatre and opera.A repertory theatre can be a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation...
theatre in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
and he toured with a theatrical company headed by Jean Forbes-Robertson.
After his national service, he moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and his early appearances on the West End stage
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
were in intimate revue
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
.
In 1956, he became known for his impersonation of the American pianist and entertainer, Liberace
Liberace
Wladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...
, in the revue, For Amusement Only, at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
. Thompson was called in the 1959 libel action brought by the pianist against the Daily Mirror, and was himself subsequently sued by Liberace. Thompson settled out of court, making a donation to an actors’ charity.
In 1959, he and his wife, Nina, co-authored a musical comedy, The Quiz Kid, which was presented at the Lyric, Hammersmith
Lyric Hammersmith
The Lyric Theatre, also known as the Lyric Hammersmith, is a theatre on King Street, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, which takes pride in its original, "groundbreaking" productions....
. In 1964, he starred in Monsieur Blaise at the Royal Court
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
and Phoenix
Phoenix Theatre (London)
The Phoenix Theatre is a West End theatre in the London Borough of Camden, located on Charing Cross Road . The entrance is in Phoenix Street....
theatres, a play adapted by his wife from the Claude Magnier farce. In 1974, Thompson starred in The Englishman Amused at the Young Vic, a production which again he co-wrote with his wife. In 1992, he was once more in revue, appearing at the Whitehall Theatre in Spread A Little Happiness, the Vivian Ellis
Vivian Ellis
Vivian Ellis was an English musical comedy composer best known for the song "Spread a Little Happiness" and the theme "Coronation Scot".-Life and work:...
musical.
In the 1960s, Thompson appeared regularly in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television programme, Pinky and Perky
Pinky and Perky
Pinky and Perky is an animated children's television series first broadcast by the BBC in 1957, revived in 2008 as a CGI animation.-Original series:...
, created by Jan and Vlasta Dalibor. In 1967, he starred in the title role in the first BBC Two play in colour, Lieutenant Tenant. Other television appearances included The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill.There were various incarnations of the show between 1951 and 1991, and it aired in over 140 countries. The show is generally sketch-based with heavy use of slapstick, mime, parody and double-entendre...
(1970), and George and Mildred
George and Mildred
George and Mildred is a British sitcom produced by Thames Television that aired from 1976 to 1979. It was a spin-off from Man About the House and starred Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce as an ill-matched married couple, George and Mildred Roper...
(1978).
His film appearances included Carry on Regardless
Carry On Regardless
Carry on Regardless was the fifth in the series of Carry On films to be made. It was released in 1961. By now a fairly regular team was established with Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims and Kenneth Williams all having appeared in previous entries. Hattie Jacques - who was...
, Carry On Cruising
Carry On Cruising
Carry On Cruising is the sixth Carry On film and was released in 1962. It was the first in the Carry On series to be filmed in colour and was based on an original story by Eric Barker. P&O - Orient Lines were thanked in the credits. Regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Kenneth Connor appear in...
(1962), and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes is a 1965 British comedy film starring Stuart Whitman and directed and co-written by Ken Annakin...
(1965).
His directorial credits included directing Simon Ward
Simon Ward
Simon Ward is an English stage and film actor.-Early life:Simon Ward was born in Beckenham, Kent, near London, the son of a car dealer. From an early age he wanted to be an actor. He was educated at Alleyn's School, London, the home of the National Youth Theatre, which he joined at age 13 and...
in Perchance to Dream, Patrick Cargill
Patrick Cargill
Patrick Cargill was a British actor known for his role on the British television sitcom Father, Dear Father.-Career:...
in Don’t Misunderstand Me, Mollie Sugden
Mollie Sugden
Isobel Mary 'Mollie' Sugden was an English comedy actress best known for portraying the saleswoman Mrs. Slocombe in the British sitcom Are You Being Served? from 1972 to 1985. She later reprised this role in Grace & Favour, which ran from 1992 to 1993...
in My Giddy Aunt, Windsor Davies
Windsor Davies
Windsor Davies is a British actor, well known for playing the part of Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the 1970s/1980s British sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum.-Early life and career:...
in My Wife Whatsername, Peggy Mount
Peggy Mount
Margaret Rose "Peggy" Mount OBE, was an English actress of stage and screen. She was perhaps best known for playing battleaxe characters, though her real personality was said to have been far removed from such roles. She was also well-known for her distinctive voice.- Early life :Mount was born in...
in Blithe Spirit
Blithe Spirit (play)
Blithe Spirit is a comic play written by Noël Coward which takes its title from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "To a Skylark" . The play concerns socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to...
, and the original production of Jeeves Takes Charge with Edward Duke.
After the death of his wife in 1999, he retired to York where he died in 2005.
Selected filmography
- The Whole TruthThe Whole Truth (1958 film)The Whole Truth is a 1958 British thriller film directed by John Guillermin and starring Stewart Granger, George Sanders, Donna Reed and Peter Dyneley.-Cast:* Stewart Granger as Max Poulton* Donna Reed as Carol Poulton* George Sanders as Carliss...
(1958) - Doctor in TroubleDoctor in TroubleDoctor in Trouble is a 1970 British comedy film, the last of the long-running Doctor in the House series of British comedy films. It was directed by Ralph Thomas it stars Leslie Phillips as a doctor who gets accidentally trapped on an outgoing cruise ship while it begins a round the world trip...
(1970)
External links
- Jimmy Thompson at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...