- Brian Murphy (actor)
Infobox actor
bgcolour = sky blue
name = Brian Murphy
imagesize =
caption = Brian Murphy as Alvin Smedley on "Last of the Summer Wine "deletable image-caption
birthdate = Birth date and age|1933|9|25|df=yes
location =Ventnor ,Isle of Wight ,U.K.
height =
birthname =
occupation = actor
homepage =Brian Murphy (born September 25, 1933 in
Ventnor ,Isle of Wight ) is a British actor.Although a prolific actor in many
film s andtheatre productions for almost half a century, Murphy's most famous role was as the henpecked husband George Roper in thesitcom "Man About the House " and spin-off "George and Mildred ".He was called up to do his military service at RAF Northwood, where he met future "The Good Life" actor
Richard Briers . Murphy was a member ofJoan Littlewood 'sTheatre Workshop , and a jobbing actor in the 1960s and early 1970s, combining his theatre work with appearances in television shows such as "The Avengers", "Z Cars " and "Dixon of Dock Green ", before being cast in the role which would make him a household name.In "Man About The House", Murphy played the lazy and scheming George Roper, a sub-letting landlord of a house converted into flats who had a young man and two women renting the flat above. His wife, Mildred, was played by
Yootha Joyce . Her domineering, social-climbing characteristic was a sharp contrast to George's desire for an easy and quiet life and the pairing were an instant hit. A contributing factor to their immediate chemistry was the fact they had been friends for many years (he starred in Yootha Joyce's very first movie, "Sparrows Can't Sing " in 1963). When "Man About The House" reached a conclusion in 1976, a spin-off was created for Murphy and Joyce, entitled "George and Mildred". This ran for five series until 1979. Murphy reprised his role in feature films of both sitcoms.Yootha Joyce died in 1980 of
hepatitis , as a result of years of chronicalcoholism – she had apparently been drinking a litre bottle of brandy every day for many years [ [http://www.albertandharold.co.uk/artist.php?artist=3 "Joyce died hepatitis caused by alcoholism"] Retrieved 25/09/07] – and Murphy, who was at her bedside as her closest friend, was left devastated. [ [http://www.albertandharold.co.uk/artist.php?artist=3 "Murphy at Joyce's bedside"] Retrieved 24/09/07]He returned to the theatre but has been sporadically on television ever since, with memorable roles in "Lame Ducks" (as a
private investigator ); "The Bill " (as a drunken tramp dressed as anelf at Christmas); comedy series "One Foot in the Grave " starring Richard Wilson (playing a character called Mr Foskett) [ [http://uk-tv-guide.com/programme-details/UKTV+Gold/23+September+2007/23:10/One+Foot+in+the+Grave/Sitcom 'Mr Foskett'] Retrieved 24/09/07] ; "Last of the Summer Wine " (as Alvin Smedley; with his introduction, the stunts, and an element of physical humour returned to the series), "Brookside " as well as countless others. He most recently made a regular appearance in "The Catherine Tate Show ".Murphy's second wife is popular "
Hi-De-Hi " actress, Linda Regan.He is a keen supporter of the English Premier League side
Portsmouth F.C. (Pompey).Theatre
* "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (
Christopher Bond ), Theatre Royal Stratford East, Title role (Sweeney Todd ), 1973.
* "On Your Way, Riley" (Alan Plater ), The Queen's Theatre,Arthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley), February-March, 1983
* "Roll On Friday" (Roger Hall , Watford Palace Theatre, Jim, October, 1989.Selected television roles
References
External links
*imdb name|0614120|Brian Murphy
* [http://www.lovefilm.com/visitor/browse_contributor/59015/Brian_Murphy.html Brian Murphy role reviews]
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