Henry James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor of television and film. He is best remembered for his roles as Friar Tuck in the film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) and as Samuel Pickwick in the film The Pickwick Papers (1952), the latter earning him a BAFTA Award for Best British Actor nomination.[1]
James Hayter
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Hayter in 1975
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| Born | Henry James Goodenough Hayter (1907-04-23)23 April 1907 |
| Died | 27 March 1983(1983-03-27) (aged 75)
Villajoyosa, Spain
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| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1936–1980 |
| Spouse(s) | Marjorie Lane (m. 1934; div.) Mary E. R. Shaw (m. 1946) |
| Children | 8 |
| Relatives | Charity Wakefield (granddaughter) |
Hayter was born in Lonavala, India, and brought up in Scotland, attending Dollar Academy. He made his West End debut in the 1936 comedy The Composite ManatDaly's Theatre. His best remembered film roles include Friar Tuck in the 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (he reprised the same role in the 1967 film A Challenge for Robin Hood) and Samuel PickwickinThe Pickwick Papers of the same year. His rotund appearance and fruity[clarification needed] voice made him a natural choice for such roles.
As an actor, Hayter became a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His film career began in 1936 in Sensation, but was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Royal Armoured Corps. His 1946 television series Pinwright's Progress, shown on the BBC, is recognised as the first real example of the half-hour situation comedy format in the history of British television.
In the 1968 film Oliver!, Hayter played Mr Jessop, the bookshop owner. He appeared in scenes when Dodger steals a gentleman's wallet outside the bookshop and also when Oliver is in court charged with the robbery.[2] Hayter was the Ministry doorman in the film Passport to Pimlico (1949).
His later career included roles in TV series such as The Forsyte Saga (1967) and The Onedin Line. In 1967, Hayter appeared in The Avengers episode "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Station" as the ticket master. He also appeared as Dickson McCunn in the BBC serial Huntingtower, based on the bookbyJohn Buchan.
Hayter also appeared in the long-running BBC department store sitcom Are You Being Served? as the senior salesman Mr Tebbs in 1978. He was the original narrator of the UK television advertisements for Mr Kipling cakes. These adverts actually led to his departure from Are You Being Served?; the cake company paid him a significant bonus to withdraw from the series, as they felt his reputation lent an air of dignity to their advertisements. "Who can blame an actor in his seventies for accepting money for staying at home? I, now 78, would jump at the chance!" wrote Frank Thornton (Captain Peacock in the series) in a letter to one of Hayter's eight children in 1999.[3]
He died in Spain in 1983, aged 75.[4]
