Christopher Strauli
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Christopher Strauli (born Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England, April 13th 1946) is a British actor.
Strauli attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art after giving up a career as a teacher of maths and science. He spent many years at the Old Vic in Bristol before earning some minor and supporting TV roles, including the part of Bunny Manders in the TV adaptation of Raffles.
Strauli shot to fame as feeble hospital patient Norman Binns in the ITV sitcom Only When I Laugh, occupying a bed in a ward next to characters played by James Bolam and Peter Bowles. He was then recruited by the show's writer, Eric Chappell, to replace Richard Beckinsale in the movie version of Rising Damp (another of Chappell's shows) in 1980, as Beckinsale had died suddenly the previous year at just 31 years of age. Although Strauli replaced Beckinsale, a new character was created for him at the Rising Damp lodging house called John, a student of art. Strauli's performance was flawless, but critics were not keen on the film because of the gap left by Beckinsale.
In 1985 Strauli played lead character Paul Hatfield in ITV sitcom Full House (known as Mixed Doubles in the USA) and also featured in some of Victoria Wood's sketch shows. In recent years he has concentrated predominantly on theatre work.
Strauli is married with two daughters and two sons.
