James Hayter
Known for Acting · 103 credits
- Born
- 1907-04-23
- Died
- 1983-03-27
- Place of birth
- Lonavala, India
- Also known as
- Джеймс Хэйтер · Henry James Hayter
Biography
James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor.
He was born in Lonavala, India, brought up in Scotland and died in Spain. His best remembered film roles include Friar Tuck in the 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and Samuel Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers of the same year. His rotund appearance and fruity voice made him a natural choice for such roles.
A pupil of Dollar Academy, he 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 later career included roles in TV series such as The Forsyte Saga (1967), The Onedin Line and Are You Being Served?. 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. He was also the original narrator of the UK television advertisements for Mr. Kipling cakes. In fact, these ads 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 snack advertisements.
In the film Oliver!, he played Mr Jessop the book shop owner. He appeared in scenes when Dodger steals a gentleman's wallet outside the book shop and also when Oliver is in court charged with the robbery.
Hayter used to have a tree house in his back garden where he would retire of an evening to learn and practise his lines from his current script.
Known For
TV Shows (12)
The Avengers
1961
as Ticket Collector
The World of Hammer
1994
as Self (archive footage)
Are You Being Served?
1972
as Mr. Tebbs
The Onedin Line
1971
as Captain Webster
Mark Saber
1954
as Longhair Smith
Father Brown
1974
as Sir Aaron Armstrong
The Flaxton Boys
1969
as Nathan
The World of Wodehouse
1967
as Smithers
Armchair Theatre
1956
as Bert Taylor / Arthur Tanner / Mayor / Joe Alden
Fair Game
1958
as Mr Shaw
The Adventures of Don Quick
1970
as Hendenno
Huntingtower
1957
as Dickson McCunn
Movies (91)
Lawrence of Arabia
1962
as Sheik in Arab Council (uncredited)
I Was Monty's Double
1958
as Sgt. Adams
Sailors Three
1940
as Hans
Oliver!
1968
as Mr. Jessop
Vice Versa
1948
as Bandmaster
The Crimson Pirate
1952
as Prof. Prudence
Night and the City
1950
as Figler (uncredited)
Mañana...
1957
as Silvestre
Always a Bride
1953
as Dutton
Seven Waves Away
1957
as 'Cookie' Morrow
The Horror of Frankenstein
1970
as Bailiff
The Fallen Idol
1948
as Perry
The Blood on Satan's Claw
1971
as Squire Middleton
Marigold
1938
as Peter Gloag
The Awakening
1954
as The Chief
Land of the Pharaohs
1955
as Mikka
Royal Review
1953
as Commentator (voice)
Helter Skelter
1949
as Inn Landlord (uncredited)
It's a Wonderful World
1956
as Bert Fielding
Beau Brummell
1954
as Mortimer
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952
as Friar Tuck
The Pickwick Papers
1952
as Samuel Pickwick
School for Secrets
1946
as Warrant Officer
Passport to Pimlico
1949
as Commissionaire
The 39 Steps
1959
as Mr Memory
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
as Mr. Percival Tebbs (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
1947
as Ned and Charles Cheeryble
The Light Princess
1978
as Owl (voice)
Gideon's Day
1958
as Robert Mason
For Better, for Worse
1954
as Plumber
David Copperfield
1969
as Porter
Calling Bulldog Drummond
1951
as Bill
Port Afrique
1956
as Nino
Big Fella
1938
as Chuck
The Woman with No Name
1950
as Captain Bradshawe
The Blue Lagoon
1949
as Dr Murdock
Burke & Hare
1972
as Dr. Selby
Flesh and Blood
1951
as Sir Douglas Manley
Trio
1950
as Albert Foreman (segment "The Verger")
Song of Norway
1970
as Butler to Berg
Tom Brown's Schooldays
1951
as Old Thomas
My Brother Jonathan
1948
as Tom Morse
Morning Departure
1950
Bonnie Prince Charlie
1948
as Kingsburgh
A Day to Remember
1953
as Fred Collins
Quartet
1948
as Foreman of the Jury (segment "The Alien Corn")
Stranger in the House
1967
as Harry Hawkins
The October Man
1947
as Garage Man
For Them That Trespass
1949
as John Craigie 'Jocko' Glenn
A Song for Tomorrow
1948
as Nicholas Klausmann
Waterfront
1950
as Ship's Captain
The Captain's Table
1959
as Chief Engineer Earnshaw
I'm A Stranger
1952
as Horatio Flowerdew
Carry On Admiral
1957
as Sir Henry Tomkinson (uncredited)
A Challenge for Robin Hood
1967
as Friar Tuck
Your Witness
1950
as Prouty
Don't Ever Leave Me
1949
as Man with Summons
All Over the Town
1949
as Councillor Baines
Once a Jolly Swagman
1949
as Pa Fox
Touch and Go
1955
as Kimball
The Boy and the Bridge
1959
as Tugboat Skipper
Four Sided Triangle
1953
as Dr. Harvey
The Spider and the Fly
1949
as Mayor
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones
1976
as Briggs
Captain Boycott
1947
as Music Hall Comic (uncredited)
You'll Never See Me Again
1959
as Joe Alden
The Firechasers
1971
as Inspector Herman
The Ghosts of Berkeley Square
1947
as Capt. Dodds (uncredited)
No Room at the Inn
1948
as Councilor Trouncer
Will Any Gentleman...?
1953
as Dr. Smith
Go to Blazes
1962
as Pipe Smoker
The End of the River
1947
as Chico
The Great Game
1953
as Joe Lawson
Murder in Soho
1939
as Nick Green
Dear Mr. Prohack
1949
as Carrell Quire
The Big Money
1958
as Mr Frith
Come on George!
1939
as Barker
Woman Hater
1948
as Mr. Burrell
The Heart Within
1957
as Grandfather Willard
Band Waggon
1940
as (uncredited)
Sensation
1936
as Jock
Out of the Fog
1962
as Daniels
The Laughing Lady
1946
as Ostler
Not Tonight, Darling
1971
as Mr. Finlay / grocer owner
The Moon in the Yellow River
1938
as Captain Potts
Sail Into Danger
1957
as Monty
Silent Dust
1949
as Pringle
The Mark of Cain
1947
as Dr. White
Scrapbook for 1933
1950
as (voice)
Keep It Clean
1956
as Mr. Bouncenboy
Aren't Men Beasts!
1937
as Minor Role
About James Hayter
James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor. He was born in Lonavala, India, brought up in Scotland and died in Spain. His best remembered film roles include Friar Tuck in the 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and Samuel Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers of the same year. His rotund appearance and fruity voice made him a natural choice for such roles. A pupil of Dollar Academy, he became a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, his film career began in 1936 in Sensation, but was interrupted by Worl… With 103 credits spanning from 1936 to 2005, James Hayter has appeared in 91 films and 12 TV shows.
Fans searching for James Hayter movies, James Hayter filmography, or the latest projects starring James Hayter can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular James Hayter Movies
- Lawrence of Arabia (1962) — as Sheik in Arab Council (uncredited)
- I Was Monty's Double (1958) — as Sgt. Adams
- Sailors Three (1940) — as Hans
- Oliver! (1968) — as Mr. Jessop
- Vice Versa (1948) — as Bandmaster
Where to Watch James Hayter Films
Most James Hayter movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring James Hayter, check our movies catalogue and browse page.