Gerald Harper

Gerald Harper (born 15 February 1929, London, England) is an actor, best known for his work on television, having played the title roles in Adam Adamant Lives! (1966–67) and Hadleigh (1969–76).

Harper originally wanted to be a doctor but became interested in acting while still at school. He was educated at Haileybury and, after National Service, trained at RADA. He started in the London Arts Theatre followed by Liverpool Playhouse before returning to London to perform in Charley's Aunt with Frankie Howerd. He also had roles in Free as Air and Ross and toured in America with the Old Vic and Boeing-Boeing. He toured the country in 2008 as the lead in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None directed by Joe Harmston for producer Bill Kenwright.

His film credits include: The Admirable Crichton (1957), A Night to Remember (1958), The League of Gentlemen (1960), Tunes of Glory (1960) and The Punch and Judy Man (1963), The Lady Vanishes (1979). On radio he did The Sunday Affair; for Capital Radio. Television also included; The Sleeper, The Corsican Brothers and Gazette.

Harper presented a series of weekday morning shows for Capital Radio in the late 1970s, and, later, a series of Saturday afternoon shows for BBC Radio 2 in the early 1990s, in which he played classic songs from the past and gave away bottles of champagne and chocolates. His opening phrase, usually spoken over the introduction of the first song, was "Hello....I'm Gerald Harper. Welcome to my Saturday selection". The radio show was resurrected for Talksport radio for a few months between 2000-2001, and re-titled Champagne and Roses.

He married Jane Downs with whom he had a daughter, Sarah Jane. He then married Carla with whom he had a son, Jamie. He lists his hobbies as horse riding, skiing and chess and financial issues.

Selected filmography

• The Dam Busters (1955)
• Stars in Your Eyes (1956)
• The Extra Day (1956)
• Tiger in the Smoke (1956)
• The Admirable Crichton (1957)
• A Night to Remember (1958)
• The League of Gentlemen (1960)
• Tunes of Glory (1960)
• The Young Ones (1961)
• The Punch and Judy Man (1963)
• Wonderful Life (1964)
• The Lady Vanishes (1979)

External links

• Gerald Harper at the Internet Movie Database