- James Ellis (actor)
James Ellis (born
March 15 ,1931 ,Belfast ) is an actor fromNorthern Ireland who has been a regular on the television screen for more than forty-five years. He attendedMethodist College Belfast during his childhood,and later studied at both Queens University, Belfast, and Bristol Old Vic.His most famous role was that of Bert Lynch in "
Z Cars ", rising from the rank of PC to Inspector over a period of sixteen years from 1962 to 1978.His numerous other roles include parts on "
Doctor Who ", "Ballykissangel ", "Playing the Field " , "One By One" and the cult sitcom "Nightingales ", as well as theshort film as well a guest appearance in "Only Fools and Horses " 2002 christmas special.Ellis is also a writer of poems and prose and a translator. A [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/drama/productions/radio/jimmyellis-stories.shtml selection of his adaptations from French] was broadcast on the
BBC in 2007.Perhaps his finest performance as an actor was as Norman Martin in the acclaimed "Billy" trilogy by Graham Reid, the first play of which, "Too Late to Talk to Billy", was aired in 1982 on BBC1. This ground-breaking series of plays introduced a 22-year-old Kenneth Branagh in the role of Norman's son, the eponymous hero, to the viewing public, and included some fine ensemble playing from TV debutantes Brid Brennan,Tracey Lynch, and Aine Gorman, as his daughters. He has also contributed memorable cameos to series such as "Boys from the Blackstuff" by Allan Bleasdale.
His first marriage to actress Beth Ellis was disolved in the late 1960s and produced three children, he married his second wife (Robina) in 1976, this marriage produced another son.
His first son (Adam) was tragically murdered in August 1988.
In July 2008, he received an Honorary Doctorate at Queen's University, Belfast, as part of their centenary celebrations.
External links
*imdb name|id=0254884|name=James Ellis
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