- David Jason
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Sir David Jason Born David John White
2 February 1940
Edmonton, London, EnglandOccupation Actor Years active 1964–present Spouse Gill Hinchcliffe (m. 2005–present) Partner Myfanwy Talog
(1977–95, her death)Children Daughter Relatives Arthur White (brother) Sir David John White, OBE (born 2 February 1940) better known by his stage name David Jason, is an English BAFTA award-winning actor. He is best known as the main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981, the voice of Mr Toad in The Wind In The Willows and as detective Jack Frost on the ITV crime drama A Touch of Frost from 1992. Other high profile television roles were as Granville in the sitcom Open All Hours, and Pop Larkin in the comedy drama The Darling Buds of May. His last original appearance as Del Boy was in 2003, while Jason retired his role as Frost in 2010.
Jason was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993, and knighted in 2005, both for services to drama. Jason has won four British Academy Television Awards (BAFTAs), (1988, 1991, 1997, 2003), four British Comedy Awards (1990, 1992, 1997, 2001) and six National Television Awards (1997, 2001, 2002 twice, 2003, 2011). These included the British Comedy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, and the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in 2003. In 2006, Jason topped the poll to find TV's 50 Greatest Stars, as part of ITV's 50th anniversary celebrations.
While his best-known roles have spanned three decades from 1981, he started his television career in 1963 as Bert Bradshaw in the soap-opera Crossroads, and after several appearances as Captain Fantastic on the children's television show Do Not Adjust Your Set, by the 1970s Jason was already an established screen comedy actor with recurring appearances in television series. In 1974 he starred in the title role in The Top Secret Life of Edgar Briggs and in 1977 he played the main character of Peter Barnes in A Sharp Intake of Breath. He had also debuted in the Granville role in 1976 for the first series of Open All Hours, before it resumed for three more from 1981. Later television roles have included two appearances in Sky One's two-part adaptations of Terry Pratchett's fantasy novels, as Albert in Hogfather in 2006, and Rincewind in The Colour of Magic in 2008. Jason has also appeared on several radio comedy shows, and had numerous voice acting parts, notably in the long running animated series Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and The Wind in the Willows of the 1980s and early 1990s.
Jason lived with his long term girlfriend, actress Myfanwy Talog for eighteen years until her death from breast cancer in 1995. Jason became a father for the first time at age 61, after his girlfriend, 41 year old Gill Hinchcliffe, gave birth to a baby girl in 2001. In 2005, Jason and Hinchcliffe married. Jason's older brother, Arthur White, is also an actor and plays Ernie Trigg alongside Jason in A Touch of Frost.
Raised in Lodge Lane, North Finchley, David went to Northside primary school on the same road where he lived. After leaving school, he trained as a car mechanic (as revealed by Anne Diamond in an interview with David Jason on TV AM in 1984) while negotiating his way into repertory theatre. He was just 15 years old in July 1955 when noted local drama critic, W.H. Gelder, spotted his talent and warmly praised his performance in the Incognito Theatre Group's production of "Robert's Wife" by St John Ervine. Later, Gelder wrote in the Barnet and Finchley Press praising his performances for another local amateur dramatic group, The Manor Players, as the highlight of the evening: '... the extraordinarily precocious schoolboy by David White, looking like a young James Cagney, and playing, though only 16, with the ease of a born actor.... possibly the highlight of the evening, which was bright enough in all conscience...' The acclaim delighted David, who carefully cut out Gelder's reviews and made sure they didn't escape his parents' notice. Later, on discovering there was already a David White on Equity's books, he took the stage name Jason from his favourite film at the time Jason and the Argonauts (1963). However, many of David's friends and family (including his mother) claim that he took the name Jason from his twin brother who died at birth, although David himself has never commented on this. [edit]Radio and TV career
Contents
Honours
In 1993, David Jason was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and twelve years later, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2005, he was knighted for services to acting and comedy.[1] The granting of the knighthood was well received by the public. On the day his knighthood was announced, many British newspapers used the headline "Arise Sir Del Boy" or similar, in reference to his most famous role. The Daily Mirror ran the headline "It's Sir Del and Sir Tel" (popular BBC Radio 2 DJ Terry Wogan was also knighted on the same day). Upon receiving the knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 1 December 2005, he said he was "humbled" by the "fantastic tribute".[2][3]
Personal life
Jason lived with long-term girlfriend Welsh actress Myfanwy Talog, for eighteen years,until her death in 1995. This experience inspired him to organise his own charity, The David Jason Trust, for terminally ill children.[citation needed]
In 2001 Jason's girlfriend, 41 year old Gill Hinchcliffe, gave birth to a baby girl, Sophie Mae.[4] It was Jason's first child and he was 61 at the time. Jason and Hinchcliffe married on 30 November 2005, in a private ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Jason's elder brother is the actor Arthur White (actor), born in 1933. The two have appeared together in the crime drama A Touch of Frost, Arthur playing police archivist Ernie Trigg. He also appeared briefly with his brother in an episode of a Touch of Frost and again in 2008, on the comic fantasy The Colour of Magic, where Arthur starred as a character called "Rerpf".
Career
Radio
Year Title Role Other notes - Mostly Monkhouse Various 1970–1998 Week Ending Various 1977–1981 The Jason Explanation Various - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Captain of the 'B' Ark/Caveman 2008 Book at Bedtime Reader A 10 part abridged reading of A Christmas Carol for BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime.[5] Television
Year Title Role Other notes 1964 Crossroads Bert Bradshaw Unknown character duration. 1966 Softly, Softly Smith Episode ‘Overtake’ 1967–1969 Do Not Adjust Your Set Various A children’s sketch show; popular with adults. 1968 Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Abel Episode ‘That’s How Murder Snowballs’ 1969 Counterstrike Taffy Sadler Episode ‘On Ice’ 1969 Canada Goose Unknown 1969–1970 Hark at Barker Various 1970 Doctor in the House Mr Drobnic Episode ‘What Seems to be the Trouble?’ 1970 Two D's and a Dog Dingle Bell 1971 Six Dates With Barker Odd Job Man Episode 3 – ‘The Odd Job’; Starred with Ronnie Barker 1971 Doctor at Large Victor Bligh Episode ‘Let’s Start at the Beginning’ 1972 His Lordship Entertains Dithers Starred with Ronnie Barker 1973 Seven of One Various Episodes 1 (Open All Hours) and 2 (I’ll Fly You For A Quid) 1974 Doctor at Sea Manuel Sanchez 1974 The Top Secret Life of Edgar Briggs Edgar Briggs 1975; 1977 Porridge Blanco Webb Guest starred in three episodes; Happy Release, No Peace for the Wicked and Pardon Me.[6] Starred with Ronnie Barker. 1976 Lucky Feller Shorty Mopstead 1976–1985 Open All Hours Granville Broadcast: 1976; 1981-1985. Starred with Ronnie Barker. 1977–1981 A Sharp Intake of Breath Peter Barnes 1981–2003 Only Fools and Horses Del Boy Broadcast: 1981-1983,1985–1993,1996,2001–2003 1985–1987 The Berenstain Bears Papa Bear 1987 Porterhouse Blue Skullion 1989 A Bit of a Do Ted 1990 Amongst Barbarians George 1991–1993 The Darling Buds of May Pop Larkin 1992–2010 A Touch of Frost DI Jack Frost 1993 The Bullion Boys Billy Mac 1997 The Ice House[disambiguation needed 
]Unknown 1998 March In Windy City Steven March 1999 All the King's Men Captain Frank Beck A 1999 television film. 2001 Micawber Micawber 2002–2004 The Quest Dave A three-part film series. 2005–2007 Diamond Geezer Des Pilot in 2005; Series in 2007. 2006 Ghostboat Lt. Prof. Jack Hardy R.N. Rtd Two part ITV drama. 2006 Terry Pratchett's Hogfather Alberto Malich Two part Sky1 drama. 2006 Cartoon Kings Narrator Documentary. 2006 Prehistoric Park Narrator Documentary-style drama. 2008 Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic Rincewind Two part Sky1 drama. 2009 The Green Green Grass Del Boy Archive footage: Episode 'I Done It My Way' 2010 David Jason:The Battle of Britain Presenter ITV documentary 2010 Albert’s Memorial Harry ITV1 feature length drama. 2010 Come Rain Come Shine Don ITV1 feature length drama, starring alongside Alison Steadman 2011 David Jason's Great Escapes Himself Documentary 2011 The Royal Bodyguard Captain Guy Hubble BBC Comedy. Production begins in July 2011. Films
Year Title Role Other notes 1972 Under Milk Wood Nogood Boyo Originally offered to Jason's brother, Arthur, however Jason was cast in the role. 1973 White Cargo Albert Toddey 1975 Royal Flash The Mayor 1977 Wombling Free Womble Voice 1978 The Odd Job Odd Job Man 1983 The Wind in the Willows Toad Spawned a 52-part series. 2010 All the Way Up Director Animation
Year Title Role Other notes 1978 The Water Babies Principal Characters 1981–1992 Danger Mouse Danger Mouse/Narrator/Buggles Pigeon/Count Duckula/Numerous others 1983–1990 The Wind in the Willows Toad/Chief Weasel/Billy Rabbit 1988–1993 Count Duckula Count Duckula/Numerous Others Spin-off from hit series Danger Mouse starring David Jason as the lead voice. 1989 The BFG The BFG 1991–1992 Victor and Hugo Hugo 1993 The Adventures of Dawdle the Donkey Rola Polar 1995 The Snow Queen Eric 1998 Father Christmas and the Missing Reindeer Father Christmas 1999 Angelmouse Narrator 22 parts. 2010 Muddle Earth Randalf 26 parts. Awards and nominations
David Jason has won a total of twenty-three awards between 1986 and 2003. His hit comedy show, Only Fools and Horses won many of these awards, and was also nominated many times. His crime drama, A Touch of Frost, has also won and been nominated numerous times. Porterhouse Blue, The Second Quest, All the King's Men and A Bit of a Do have won David Jason one award each.
Year Group Award Film/Show Result 1985 BAFTA TV Award Best Light Entertainment Performance Only Fools and Horses Nominated 1986 BAFTA TV Award Best Light Entertainment Performance Only Fools and Horses Nominated 1987 BAFTA TV Award Best Actor Porterhouse Blue Won 1988 BAFTA TV Award Best Light Entertainment Performance Only Fools and Horses Nominated 1989 BAFTA TV Award Best Light Entertainment Performance Only Fools and Horses Nominated 1990 British Comedy Award Best TV Comedy Actor A Bit of a Do Won 1990 BAFTA TV Award Best Light Entertainment Performance Only Fools and Horses Won 1992 British Comedy Award Best TV Comedy Actor The Darling Buds of May Won 1996 National Television Award Most Popular Comedy Performer Only Fools and Horses Won 1996 National Television Award Special Recognition Award N/a Won 1996 BAFTA TV Award Best Comedy Performance Only Fools and Horses Won 1997 British Comedy Award Best TV Comedy Actor Only Fools and Horses Won 1997 National Television Award Most Popular Actor Only Fools and Horses Won 1999 National Television Award Most Popular Actor A Touch of Frost Nominated 2000 National Television Award Most Popular Actor A Touch of Frost Nominated 2000 TV Quick Award Best Actor A Touch of Frost
All the King's MenWon 2001 British Comedy Award Lifetime Achievement Award N/a Won 2001 TV Quick Award Best Actor A Touch of Frost Won 2001 National Television Award Most Popular Actor A Touch of Frost Won 2001 National Television Award Most Popular Comedy Performer Only Fools and Horses Won 2002 National Television Award Most Popular Actor A Touch of Frost Won 2002 National Television Award Most Popular Comedy Performance Only Fools and Horses Nominated 2002 TV Quick Award Best Actor A Touch of Frost Won 2003 National Television Award Most Popular Actor A Touch of Frost Nominated 2003 BAFTA TV Award BAFTA Academy Fellowship N/a Won 2003 National Television Award Most Popular Actor The Second Quest
A Touch of FrostNominated 2011 National Television Award Outstanding Drama Performance A Touch of Frost Won References
- ^ London Gazette: no. 58099. p. 12615. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Del Boy knighted in Queen's list". BBC News. 2005-06-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4082074.stm. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ "David Jason collects knighthood". BBC News. 2005-12-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4488330.stm. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ Alleyne, Richard (2001-02-27). "David Jason's new role as father at 61". The Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1324288/David-Jasons-new-role-as-father-at-61.html. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fyzyb
- ^ David Jason at the Internet Movie Database
External links
- David Jason at the Internet Movie Database
- TV Greats biography of David Jason – From website Television Heaven
- Interview by BBC "David Jason collects knighthood", with video
- David Jason Quits as Frost
Do Not Adjust Your Set Radio shows Mostly Monkhouse · Week Ending · The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy · The Jason Explanation · The Next Programme Follows Almost Immediately · The Burkiss Way (guest)Films Sketch shows Television drama Porterhouse Blue · A Bit of a Do · Amongst Barbarians · The Darling Buds of May · A Touch of Frost · The Bullion Boys · The Ice House · March in the Windy City · All the King's Men · Micawber · The Quest · Diamond Geezer · Ghostboat · Terry Pratchett's Hogfather · Terry Pratchett's The Colour of MagicAnimated shows Presented shows Cartoon Kings · Prehistoric ParkBritish Academy Television Award for Best Actor (1980–1999) Alec Guinness (1980) · Denholm Elliott (1981) · Anthony Andrews (1982) · Alec Guinness (1983) · Alan Bates (1984) · Tim Pigott-Smith (1985) · Bob Peck (1986) · Michael Gambon (1987) · David Jason (1988) · Ray McAnally (1989) · John Thaw (1990) · Ian Richardson (1991) · Robert Lindsay (1992) · John Thaw (1993) · Robbie Coltrane (1994) · Robbie Coltrane (1995) · Robbie Coltrane (1996) · Nigel Hawthorne (1997) · Simon Russell Beale (1998) · Tom Courtenay (1999)
Complete list · (1955–1959) · (1960–1979) · (1980–1999) · (2000–2019) Categories:- 1940 births
- Living people
- Actors awarded British knighthoods
- English comedians
- English television actors
- English voice actors
- Knights Bachelor
- Actors from London
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- People from Edmonton, London
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