Brian Hall (actor)

Brian Charles Hall [ [http://www.findmypast.com Deaths England and Wales 1984-2006] ] (November 20, 1937 in Brighton – September 16, 1997 in Worthing, West Sussex) was an English actor perhaps best known for his role in the British sitcom "Fawlty Towers" where he played the hotel chef Terry.

He also played leading roles in police drama "" (1971-1972), crime drama "McVicar" (1980), and sitcom "You Must Be The Husband" (1987).

He played several guest-starring roles including "The Professionals", "The Long Good Friday", "The Bill" and "The Sweeney". He died in September 1997, aged 59, after a long battle with cancer.

John Cleese told of his sadness after fellow Fawlty Towers star Brian Hall died of cancer at the age of 59. Hall, who played chef Terry in the zany TV comedy, had fought a three-year battle against cancer. Cleese said: "I am very upset. I was particularly fond of Brian and had several conversations with him this year" (1997). "I admire profoundly the way in which he dealt with the cancer. I do not know where he found the strength." A year ago, Hall told The Mirror: "Cancer is a bully ­and I hate bullies. This old boy cancer will get about as much change out of me as all the other bullies I've met - nothing."

One of Hall's closest friends, Billy Murray, also paid tribute. He said: "Brian and I grew up in the East End together. "He was one of the most likeable, down- to-earth guys you could wish to meet and he confronted this terrible illness with the bravery and humour he showed throughout his life."

Hall and Cleese both shared a wry sense of humour. Years after they had finished making the Fawlty Towers series, Cleese sent him a signed photograph as a joke. Hall wrote back and demanded a signed Rolls-Royce instead. Three days later one arrived in the post -- it was a kiddies' toy.

As well as Fawlty Towers, Hall had a string of movie and TV roles, including playing bodyguard to Bob Hoskins in the gangster film The Long Good Friday.

In a Daily Mirror interview , Hall, who left a wife and three children, said: "cancer happens to millions of people and it's happening to me. It's something I'll have to deal with. "Death has never bothered me. The only sure thing about life is that it must end one day. No matter who you are, if you're 18 or 88, you've got to be ready for it.

"I love life and, obviously, I'd like to be around for another 30 years. But if it's my turn to go, what's the point in getting too upset? It's not going to change things, is it?" Hall died in a hospice in Worthing, West Sussex, on Tuesday, after undergoing several operations since the cancer was first detected in 1994. He once said: "I'm convinced the problems started when I twisted my side while filming a fight scene in The Long Good Friday in 1979."My side was badly bruised and from that day, I had nothing but trouble."

He also stated: "I've never believed in God. If I've made a mistake and there is a God, I'll say: 'sorry Guv'nor, I never believed in you but I'm glad you're here. Can I come in?" "If it's just The Big Sleep, that will be OK too -- I've always enjoyed a nice kip".

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