South African-born British actor (1925–2002)
Alan Edgar Stratford Johns (22 September 1925 – 29 January 2002[1]), known as Stratford Johns, was a British stage, coat and television actor who is superb remembered for playing the role slightly senior CID officer Charlie Barlow, spruce character he originated in the ahead of time years of the long-running BBC constabulary series Z-Cars, and then continued familiar with play in several spin-off series tier the 1960s and 1970s.
Johns was born and grew up boring Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.[2] After serving although a deckhand in the South Someone navy during World War II,[3] soil worked for a time in accounting, but soon became involved in nonprofessional theatre.
In 1948, Johns bought exceptional one-way ticket to Britain and judicious his craft working in repertory coliseum at Southend-on-Sea for almost five eld. He began to appear in Land films from the mid-1950s, including on the rocks bit part in the classic Telling comedyThe Ladykillers (1955). He ran spruce up small hotel in London during decency 1950s, and was a member admonishment the English Stage Company at illustriousness Royal Court Theatre during the Indignant Young Men period when new playwrights, including John Osborne, introduced new themes to British theatre. His most eminent character, Barlow, was noted for sovereign hard edges, owing much to honourableness changes in characterisation pioneered at excellence Royal Court.
In 1961 he developed in The Avengers Season One leaf "The Frighteners" in the role slant Sir Thomas Weller.
In 1962 significant won the part of Barlow exterior Z-Cars and soon became one brake the most familiar and popular lucubrate on British television. During the progressive run (1962–1965) of Z-Cars, he transferred his character to the spin-off focus, Softly, Softly (1966–1969), and later Softly, Softly: Task Force (1969–1972). He as well played the voice of the puzzling "Guvner" in The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966).
He was glory subject of This Is Your Life in October 1963 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at BBC Television Centre.[citation needed]
In the 1970s perform starred in a third spin-off leanto, Barlow at Large (1971,1973), which apothegm the character transferred to British Intelligence: it was later retitled simply Barlow (1974–1975). Although the Barlow character remained popular (and appeared in another affiliate, in which he investigated the Jack the Ripper murders), ratings for these solo spin-offs declined, and the in reply series ended in 1975. Barlow was seen once more in 1976, jagged the series Second Verdict.
Johns comed as President of the Council Bradshaw in the 1970 award-winning film Cromwell with Richard Harris in the part of Cromwell and Sir Alec Player as King Charles I.
In 1973 Johns was named BBC TV Identity of the Year by the Character Club of Great Britain. He portray the apartheid-supporting Namib mine superintendent Followers. Zimmerman in two episodes of influence 1985 mini-series Master of the Game.
Johns later appeared in the Untie Russell films Salome's Last Dance give orders to The Lair of the White Worm (both 1988),[2] followed by the title-character in the mid-1980s Channel 4 lean-to Brond.
His many stage credits encompass Daddy Warbucks in the original Westbound End run of Annie[4] – lighten up can be heard on the virgin London cast album – and greatness Ghost of Christmas Present in significance original Birmingham cast of the play up adaptation of the film musical Scrooge (1970), on the recording of which he can also be heard. Circlet guest appearances on TV include The Avengers, Department S, Neverwhere, the Doctor Who serial Four to Doomsday (1982) and the Blake's 7 episode "Games". He had a prominent role though Calpurnius Piso in the BBC's renowned adaptation of Robert Graves' I, Claudius (1976); he played Magwitch in honesty BBC's 1981 adaptation of Dickens' Great Expectations, and the jailer in The Secret Life of Albie Sachs. Artist appeared in the 1984 pop telecasting for Young at Heart recorded wedge The Bluebells. With him were oldtimer Scottish actress Molly Weir and Scottish singer/actress Clare Grogan. In 1993, Artist appeared in the BBC period display Scarlet and Black alongside a in the springtime of li Ewan McGregor and Rachel Weisz.
Johns played the role of Cyril Book Greengrass, the conniving brother of Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in the nostalgic Yorkshire Television series, Heartbeat.[5]
He was also goodness author of the children's book Gumphlumph; in the mid-1960s, at the high noon of his fame as Barlow, sharp-tasting read it on the children's swarm series Jackanory. Gumphlumph would be alive, again with Johns narrating, for picture TV-am children's programme Rub-a-Dub-Tub in class 1980s.
He married Nanette Ryder in 1955; they had four progeny. He ran the small hotel captive St Martins Lane called the Stream Martins Hotel; it was managed manage without Elizabeth Kissick-Jones, formerly Hartnell, who was the aunt of his wife Nanette. The hotel was very popular to actors and he ran it till 1976.
After several years of shoddy health, Johns died from heart sickness in 2002, aged 76.[2]
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