RIP thread

[capnjack50]

Eric Sykes one of the funniest men ever to grace the tv screen

[haliose]

eric sykes was also a great comic writer for others,his best was the plank with the late tommy cooper.thank you erik for all the laughs you gave us sadly missed .R.I.P.A LEGEND

[Oswald]

Long, lean and lugubrious, Eric Sykes, who has died at the age of 89, starred for many years in his own television series, Sykes And A...



It cast him as the inoffensive inhabitant of 24 Sebastopol Terrace, constantly beset by the problems of domestic life.

The comedian's suburban adventures and gentle off-beat humour first went out on television in 1960 and delighted audiences of up to 20 million.

Sykes the performer never minded such a large audience. But Eric Sykes the person was far more of a recluse.

He was born on 4 May, 1923 in Oldham, Lancashire, the son of a millworker. His mother died while giving birth to him and his father remarried a year later.

At school he excelled in art. But his family could not afford to send him to college, so he became a store keeper in a cotton mill.

Wartime service gave him the chance to shine in several Royal Air Force entertainment shows, as well as a role in the Normandy landings.

Ever modest, Sykes maintained he had bluffed his way into those wartime shows.

"They asked if I had theatrical experience and I thought, I'd been to the theatre three times before the war."

Nonetheless, after World War II, he decided to make his living writing comic scripts.

His first break came when he managed to sell one to Frankie Howerd for £10. Before long he was writing regularly for radio.

[mizlaplan]

Eric Sykes was a comedy giant.
He worked with some of comedy's greats.
Here's a small glimpse into his life.
On the set of "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines" thousands of extras were being made ready for a crowd scene, a huge logistical nightmare but it was just about ready to begin shooting.
Suddenly, Terry Thomas walked up to the Director and told him he had to discuss a part of the scene with Eric.
The Director agreed and thousands of extras, and probably hundreds of film crew stood-down while Terry led Eric off to where his car was parked.
"What did you want to talk about?" asked Eric.
"Nothing, dear boy", at which point Terry opened the boot of his car revealing a portable bar,"I just fancied a drink, care for one?"
Thanks for all the laughs Eric.

[Greenman]

Very sad to hear of his passing. His series SYKES was being reshown on GOLD satellite channel two months ago albeit late night. The two best episodes which he appeared with Hattie Jacques was one in black and white with them handcuffed to each other and later in colour with Peter Sellers as an escaped convict who falls for Hattie. He also appeared in later life in the Harry Potter films which was a surprise but still played a blinder in anything he did. R.I.P. Eric. you've earned your rest.

[pharoahegypt]

RE ERIC SYKES.................

anyone else remember THE PLANK...?

One of the first comedy movies my father made me sit and watch with him; ably assisted of course by the also sadly departed Tommy Cooper; among others. A total classic of both comedy timing and writing. Eric wrote for all the top comedians all through the 70's and 80's, as well as for some of the newer crop to; most of whom looked up to such a clever and talented writer and actor. Radio will also mourn his passing, as he probably did even more for them throughout his long life as he did for tv.

[ozprof]

Remember "The Plank" very well. Saw it too many years ago as a short before the main movie in a theater. Very funny movie!

[Foxbark]

I also remember the episode where Eric Sykes tried to make his house 'burglar-proof' by installing all sorts of crazy alarms, traps etc.
To prove his home's invulnerability he posted adverts nviting potential burglars to come and try their luck.
Needless to say he returned home to find his house ransacked.

It's a dim childhood memory though - but even as a 9 year old kid I thought it hilarious.

Originally Posted by Greenman

Very sad to hear of his passing. His series SYKES was being reshown on GOLD satellite channel two months ago albeit late night. The two best episodes which he appeared with Hattie Jacques was one in black and white with them handcuffed to each other and later in colour with Peter Sellers as an escaped convict who falls for Hattie. He also appeared in later life in the Harry Potter films which was a surprise but still played a blinder in anything he did. R.I.P. Eric. you've earned your rest.

[taffy2]

James David Grout has died aged 85 (22 October 1927 - 24 June 2012)



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18720117

James Grout, the actor best known for playing Inspector Morse's boss Chief Superintendent Strange, has died in Wiltshire, aged 84.

The Rada-trained actor appeared on stage, film, television and radio and received a Tony award nomination for his role as Harry Chitterlow in Half a Sixpence.

The 1965 musical lead to a series of major West End roles until the 1990s.

Grout, who had been ill for some time, died on Sunday.

While he is probably best known for his role as Inspector Morse's boss on the long-running TV series with John Thaw, he also played prominent characters in other much-loved series, including Yes Minister, Rumpole of the Bailey and David Copperfield.

Born in London, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, making his debut as Valentine in Twelfth Night at the Old Vic in 1950.

Theatre roles

Following his Tony Award nomination for his performance of Harry Chitterlow in Half a Sixpence on Broadway in 1965, Grout went on to play many major roles in productions in London's West End.

In the 1980s, he took up residence at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket, playing opposite Peter O'Toole in Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman.

He had brief stint at Richard Eyre's National Theatre in the mid-1990s in Charles MacArthur's Johnny On a Spot.

Grout also appeared on BBC Radio, taking part in the King Street Junior series, as well as Old Harry's Game.

He played Barliman Butterbur in the 1981 Radio Four adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, as well as Rev. Timothy Corswell in The Secret Life of Rosewood Avenue and a role in Any Other Business.



In 1977, he and his wife Noreen moved from west London to Malmesbury in Wiltshire, where he wrote a much-loved column for the local newspaper.

[Immy]

We've lost Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=741559