Gerald Campion
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Gerald Campion | |
---|---|
Born | Gerald Theron Campion 23 April 1921 |
Died | 9 July 2002 | (aged 81)
Alma mater | RADA |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1938-1992 |
Spouse(s) | Jean Symond (1947-1972) (divorced) (3 children) Susan Mark (1972-2002) (his death) |
Children | Ann, Anthony, Angelica |
Parent | Cyril Campion |
Gerald Theron Campion (23 April 1921 – 9 July 2002) was an English actor best remembered for his role as Billy Bunter in a 1950s television adaptation (Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School) of books by Frank Richards (Charles Hamilton).[1]
Biography
Campion was born in Bloomsbury, London, and was the son of screenwriter Cyril Campion.[2] He won a place at RADA at age 15, and appeared in numerous films and television programmes — mostly comedies.[3] In 1937, he appeared in Tavs Neiiendam's radio play Inspiration to a Poet on the BBC Home Service.[4]
His only major success was as Bunter, a juvenile role he played successfully despite being much older than his character (he was 40 when the series ended).[5] Campion later reprised the role (now Lord Bunter of Hove, who had succeeded in betting shops and property) in the BBC Radio 7 series Whatever Happened to ...? in the episode that speculated on whether Bunter's form master at Greyfriars School, Horace Henry Samuel Quelch, became a secret agent.[6]
In 1979, he recorded an appearance in Shada, a Doctor Who story which was not completed in its intended form.[7]
After dropping out of acting, Campion ran clubs and restaurants in London's Soho, the best known of which is Gerry's, a long running private members' club attracting a mainly theatrical membership.[8][9]
He died in Agen, Aquitaine, France.[3]
Personal life
He was married twice: to Jean Symond in 1947 (divorced 1972) and to Susan Marks in 1972 until his death.[2] He had three children with his first wife: Anthea (a singer who married composer Thomas Rajna), Anthony and Angelica.[9] He lived in Wittersham, Kent for many years. His mother Blanche Louise Tunstall Bear was Charlie Chaplin's first cousin.[10]
Gerry's Bar
The Soho drinking bar in Dean Street, London, is named after him.[8]
Selected filmography
- The Drum (1938) - Soldier (uncredited)
- The Ghost of St. Michael's (1941) - Pupil at Rear of Class (uncredited)
- Take My Life (1947) - Newspaper Seller at Station (uncredited)
- Miranda (1948) - Lift Boy (uncredited)
- The Pickwick Papers (1952) - Joe, the Fat Boy
- Top of the Form (1953) - Pugley
- Knave of Hearts (1954) - Harry (uncredited)
- Up to His Neck (1954) - Skinny
- Fun at St. Fanny's (1956) - Fatty Gilbert
- Jumping for Joy (1956) - Man with Ice Cream (uncredited)
- Keep It Clean (1956) - Rasher
- Hergé's Adventures of Tintin (1957-58) (TV Show) - Tintin
- Carry On Sergeant (1958) - Andy Galloway
- Inn for Trouble (1960) - George
- School for Scoundrels (1960) - Proudfoot
- Double Bunk (1961) - Charlie
- Jigsaw (1962) - Glazier (uncredited)
- The Fast Lady (1962) - Actor in Scottish TV show
- A Home of Your Own (1964)
- The Comedy Man (1964) - Gerry
- Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965) - Fireman (uncredited)
- The Sandwich Man (1966) - Fred - Sandwich Man in Suit of Armour
- The Sorcerers (1967) - Customer in China Shop
- Half a Sixpence (1967) - Fat Boy
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) - Minister
- Atlantic Wall (1970) - Clergyman 2
- Little Dorrit (1987) - Mr. Tetterby
- Just Ask for Diamond (1988) - Uncle Holly
References
- ^ Profile of Gerald Campion Archived 4 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine: ComicsUK.co.uk website. Retrieved on 4 October 2007.
- ^ a b "Gerald Campion". 11 July 2002 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ a b "Gerald Campion".
- ^ The Times, "Broadcasting: A Danish Play", 11 March 1937.
- ^ Dixon, Stephen (10 July 2002). "Obituary: Gerald Campion". the Guardian.
- ^ "Horace Henry Samuel Quelch, Series 1, Whatever Happened to...? - BBC Radio 7". BBC.
- ^ Campbell, Mark (24 March 2011). "Doctor Who: The Complete Guide". Little, Brown Book Group – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Simkins, Michael (11 July 2002). "Michael Simkins recalls an evening with actor Gerald Campion". the Guardian.
- ^ a b Press, Hastings Independent (9 February 2018). "My Dad, Gerald Campion".
- ^ David Robinson, Chaplin His Life And Art