In Memoriam 2014
Roger Lloyd-Pack (1944-2014). Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and having considered a career as a Shakespearean actor, Mr. Lloyd-Pack ultimately gained fame for his TV comedy work.
Probably best known in the UK for his role as the dimwitted Trigger in the long-running BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, he was notorious for never keeping poor Rodney Trotter’s name straight no matter how many times he was told.
In the US, PBS viewers may be more familiar with Roger’s portrayal of bachelor farmer Owen Newitt from The Vicar of Dibley. More recently he and Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances) co-starred as pensioner roommates in the Odd Couple-esque comedy, The Old Guys. While those from a younger generation are likely to recognize him as the ill-fated Barty Crouch Sr. from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Bob Hoskins (1942-2014). According to Wikipedia and IMDB, in his early life Mr. Hoskins held down a variety of odd jobs ranging from a circus fire eater to a camel herder in Syria. He even tried his hand at accounting before accidentally finding his calling at age 26. Without any formal education, Hoskins attained a level of professional praise many more classically trained actors have not.
This Oscar nominated actor has won countless honors including a Golden Globe, BAFTA and International Emmy Award. His most acclaimed role is from the 1986 film Mona Lisa. Bob portrayed an ex-con, George, who befriends a high-priced call girl drawing him back into the life that put him away in the first place.
As years went on Hoskins took smaller parts and finally retired from acting in 2011 after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2011. However, he never stopped producing moving performances such as this one from 2010’s Made in Dagenham.
Rik Mayall (1958-2014). Since both his parents were drama teachers, Mr. Mayall got an early start on the stage. He continued his studies at the University of Manchester where he met his soon-to-be partner in comedy, Ade Edmondson, and several other future collaborators including famous stand-up and writer Ben Elton.
Rik and Ade formed a double act and subsequently went on to join with other comedians to found a group called The Comic Strip. This partnership then snowballed into other projects, most famously a surreal and sometimes violently slapstick sitcom called The Young Ones. Rik played the pompous yet insecure wannabe anarchist, Rick.
One of the innovators of British alternative comedy, Mayall was also known for playing outrageous characters in series and films such as Bottom, The New Statesman, Drop Dead Fred, and Blackadder. He was also a frequent voice over artist for many animated children’s programs.
Richard Attenborough (1923-2014). With a career that ranged over seven decades, it’s difficult to boil Lord Attenborough’s accomplishments down to a few paragraphs. He not only attended RADA but during the Second World War was seconded to the Royal Air Force Film Unit where he filmed actual combat situations while airborne.
From his early roles in classics such as Brighton Rock to his later performances as John Hammond in the Jurassic Park films, he earned his fair share of acting accolades. However, Lord Richard’s greatest achievements are arguably his work behind the camera.
As director and producer of films as diverse as A Chorus Line, Chaplin and Cry Freedom, his masterpiece is surely the 1982 Oscar winning epic, Gandhi. Lord Attenborough’s acceptance speech demonstrates the passion and great significance this film and its subject held for him.
Joe Cocker (1944-2014). This Yorkshire-born rock and blues singer was famous for his raspy singing voice, his almost convulsive movements while performing, his inspired covers of other artists’ songs and the hit duet he performed with Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong.”
Mr. Cocker famously performed his version of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends” at Woodstock. He is a Grammy Award winner and received an OBE from Buckingham Palace for his services to music. I’m featuring this live performance of “You Can Leave Your Hat On”, not only because I like the tune, but it was featured in The Full Monty which was set in Cocker’s hometown of Sheffield.
Lynda Bellingham (1948- 2014). Ms. Bellingham trained at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. Her career included work on the stage, film and TV including a stint as a regular panelist on the daytime panel show, Loose Women (think The View). Despite her appearance as The Inquisitor on Doctor Who and her time with All Creatures Great and Small as Helen Herriot, it is probably her role as the mum in the OXO adverts that made her a British national treasure.
[This video is no longer available.]
Warren Clarke (1947-2014). Mr. Clarke began his acting career in local amateur theater and moved on to a Yorkshire repertory company before going professional. Early in his career he had several recurring parts on the long-running soap, Coronation Street and even snagged a role in the disturbing dystopian film, A Clockwork Orange. Warren was a regular fixture in films and in guest appearances on TV series.
My favorite Warren Clarke performance is his turn as the mayor/master of ceremonies in the comedy Blow Dry. However, he is surely best known for his portrayal of Det. Superintendent Andy Dalziel in the perennially popular crime drama Dalziel and Pascoe. Clarke plays the more experienced, old school cop who cares nothing for political correctness.
[This video is no longer available.]
Kate O’Mara (1939-2014). Despite the fact that Ms. O’Mara was often typecast as sexy villainesses, her first profession was as a speech therapist. She appeared in several Hammer Horror films in the early 1970’s and as Joan Collin’s sister in a season of the American prime-time soap opera, Dynasty. Doctor Who fans will recognize her as a renegade Time Lord called the Rani.
Sam Kelly (1943-2014). Mr. Kelly had a short-lived career as a civil servant before training as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Like many British actors his first love was the theater and he appeared in a wide array of West End productions including Wicked, The Odd Couple and War and Peace. He was also frequently cast in Mike Leigh films and plays.
Noted for his comic timing, Kelly appeared in popular UK sitcoms such as Barbara and Porridge. PBS audiences are probably best acquainted with his work from the war-time comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo as Captain Hans Geering, a frequent visitor to Café Rene and a not-so-loyal Nazi soldier.
[This video is no longer available.]
As we remember these gifted individuals who enriched our lives or even just made us laugh, please share your thoughts about them in the comments section below. May they all rest in peace.
