Eric Longworth

Eric Longworth (20 July 1918 - 20 August 2008) was a British actor, best known for his semi-regular part in Dad's Army as Mr. Gordon, the town clerk of Walmington-on-Sea. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519522/ Eric Longworth ] ]

Biography

Eric Groves Longworth was born in Shaw, Lancashire.cite book|title=The Complete A-Z of Dad’s Army|author=Croft, David; Perry, Jimmy; Webber, Richard|date=2000|publisher=Orion|ISBN= 0-75284-637-X|pages=126] citation|title=Dad's Army Death|page=8|newspaper=Oldham Advertiser|date=2008-10-02|last=Greer|first=Stuart] He had decided from an early age to become an actor, but had his hopes dashed when his father died and Eric had to help support the family. He was 17 at the time. Up to his call up in 1939, which included a spell in Bombay, he had joined the Crompton Stage Society, a local amateur company, playing character parts to stall his ambitions.

After demob, he decided to go professional, joining the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, staying with them for 11 years. A break in acting occurred when he decided to work as a theatre manager between 1951 and 1957. His first television appearance was in 1963, and was usually cast as civil servants or retired colonels. Longworth appeared in a 1972 episode of Lollipop written by Jimmy Perry, which could have lead to him being chosen for the part of the Town Clerk. During the Dad's Army Stage Show, Longworth understudied (but, as he states, was thankfully never used for) Arthur Lowe. He also made a few films, and spent time flying around the globe visiting family, mixed in with the occasional voice over work, and appearances for the DAAS. He also appeared in other Jimmy Perry and David Croft sitcom Hi De Hi as a Head Waiter. Years Active 1963 - 1996

He had been a regular at Dad's Army events over the years. His most recent public appearance was at the Dad's Army 40th Birthday celebrations at the Imperial War Museum in London. He died on 20 August 2008. His funeral was held on 5 September [ [http://www.dadsarmy.co.uk/latestnews.html Eric Longworth's obituary at the Dad's Army Appreciation Society] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/3062751/Eric-Longworth.html Obituary in "The Telegraph"]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4902121.ece Obituary in "The Times"]