- 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 ofWalmington-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 inBombay , 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 ofLollipop written byJimmy 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 occasionalvoice over work, and appearances for theDAAS . He also appeared in other Jimmy Perry andDavid Croft sitcomHi De Hi as a Head Waiter. Years Active 1963 - 1996He 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 inLondon . 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 "]
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