Lloyd Lamble

Lloyd Lamble (February 8, 1914 - April 9, 2008) was a theater, radio and film actor in Australia before World War II. cite news |first=Harriet |last=Veitch|title=Talented actor had little faith in his own worth |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/talented-actor-had-little-faith-in-his-own-worth/2008/04/09/1207420480969.html |work= Sydney Morning Herald |publisher= |date=2008-04-10 |accessdate=2008-05-05] He left Australia to pursue his career in the United Kingdom when he was in his 30s.

Biography

Personal life

Lamble was born in Melbourne, Australia to William Lamble and Francis Potter. The couple had married in 1903. Lamble was the youngest of four children, all brothers. His father, William H.S. Lamble, was a viola player with the Sisserman String Quartet and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, secretary of the Musicians Union of Australia, as well as a teacher, organist and composer. His grandfather was a music professor.

His first marriage to Marjorie Lamble ended in divorce. His second marriage to Barbara Smith also failed, though the couple had two children together. He married his third wife, Leslie Jackson, in 1944 when he was thirty years old. Lloyd and Leslie remained together for over 60 years.

Early career

Lamble began his career early as a Choir singer at Wesley College, Melbourne and a radio announcer on 3DB, commercial radio station, at the age of 18.

After a stint as a radio announcer, Lamble decided to try his hand as an actor. He received his big break in 1934 when he was chosen as a last minute replacement for the lead juvenile role in the J.C. Williamson production, "Fresh Fields". He also won the role of Danny, a murderous Welsh playboy, in "Night Must Fall" in 1936. He toured Australia and New Zealand as an actor during the 1930s and 1940s. In addition to his acting roles, which allowed him to play opposite Bob Dyer and Roy Rene, he also sometimes worked as a dancehall crooner and in radio. He joined Actors Equity and served as the organization's president for several years.

Post World War II

Because of his distinctive voice which easily caught the listener's attention, Lloyd Lamble was enlisted by the government of Australia to read radio war propaganda during World War II, this was despite his left wing leanings. After World War II, a whisper campaign alleged that Lamble was a Communist. The Communist rumors are believed to have started by his second wife's family. Australian producers blacklisted Lamble, forcing him to sell clothes door to door to make ends meet.

Lamble decided to leave Australia for the United Kingdom in 1950, using a forged passport. One of his first acting roles in England was in 1952 comedy, "Curtain Up", alongside Margaret Rutherford and Robert Morley, whom Lamble had toured with in his native Australia. He continued to receive actings roles in both television and film while living in England. He also founded an English acting schools and penned several radio dramas.

Lamble continued to work after becoming a senior citizen. In his 70s, Lamble appeared at the Scottish Dundee Rep Theatre, where he played a leading role in four of six plays during the theater's six month long season. He next appeared in London's West End in the production of "Me And My Girl". Lamble continued to appear in television roles until he was almost 80 years old.

Lamble donated a copy of his memoir to the National Library of Australia in 1996. The book revealed that he was not satisfied with his personal or professional achievements during his life, despite his success.

Death

Lloyd Lamble died in Australia on April 9, 2008. He was survived by his wife of over 60 years, Leslie, his son Tim; daughter, Elizabeth; his adopted children, Lloyd Jr. and Caroline and three grandchildren.

References

External links

*imdb|0483394|Lloyd Lamble
* [http://film.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/0,,2284670,00.html Obituary: "Guardian"]