Terry-Thomas

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Terry-Thomas (left) and Clive Morton in Lucky Jim (1957)
Terry-Thomas (left) and Clive Morton in Lucky Jim (1957)

Terry-Thomas (July 14, 1911 – January 8, 1990) was a distinctive English comic actor. He was famous for his portrayal of disreputable members of the upper classes, especially cads, the trademark gap in his front teeth, cigarette holder, dressing gown, and such catch-phrases as "You're an absolute shower!" and "Good show!"

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life and career

Born Thomas Terry Hoar-Stevens in Finchley, England, and educated at Ardingly College, West Sussex, Thomas worked in cabaret and as a film extra before finding success as an entertainer during World War II. After the war he worked in TV, radio and variety, but it was during the mid-1950s that he developed his famous persona, first in his television series, How Do You View?, and then in films. His performance as Major Hitchcock in John and Roy Boulting's Private's Progress (1956) gave birth to his catchphrase "you're an absolute shower", and made him a favourite in British comedy films for the next decade. He reprised the role of Hitchcock in I'm All Right Jack (1959), and appeared in several of the Boultings' other films including Lucky Jim and Brothers in Law.

[edit] Career

He played a variety of exuberant, malevolent and silly characters during the 1960s, and became famous for his portrayal of the archetypal cad, bounder, and absolute rotter. He was married twice, first to Ida Patlanski (from 1938-1962, when they divorced) and secondly to Belinda Cunningham (from 1963 - 1990, his death) by whom he had two sons, Timothy and Cushan. He was a cousin of the British actor Richard Briers.

[edit] Personal life and death

In 1971 Terry-Thomas was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and by 1977 he had retired. In 1989 writer and broadcaster Richard Hope-Hawkins visited Terry with his godfather Thorley Walters (who had starred with Terry in numerous Boulting Brothers films) and was shocked at his condition. Richard Hope-Hawkins and actor Jack Douglas organised a benefit concert for Terry after discovering he was living in virtual obscurity and ill health. The gala, held at London's Theatre Royal, ran for five hours and Phil Collins topped the bill along with 120 artistes. Michael Caine was the gala chairman. The show raised over £75,000 for Terry and the Parkinson's Disease Society. Terry's cousin Richard Briers appeared too on stage to talk about his "Uncle Terry". After Terry's death Richard, along with Nick Dance of Serendipity Films, made a TV tribute, which was shown on ITV, and they donated the profits to the Parkinson's Disease Society. Also appearing in the gala was internationally known pianist and composer Russ Conway, and in 1990 Richard and Russ founded a fundraising charity called the Russ Conway Cancer Fund, which raised tens of thousands of pounds for numerous cancer charities.

Terry-Thomas died in 1990 at the age of 78.

[edit] Trivia

The British children's TV puppet Basil Brush was based on many aspects of Terry's mannerisms and they share the same gapped two front teeth.

Radiology: Scapho-lunate ligament rupture, seen on radiographs as a widening of the space between the scaphoid and lunate bones of the wrist is called the "Terry Thomas" sign. It is named so after the prominent gap in Terry's front teeth.

The Marvel Comics supervillain Mad Jim Jaspers is visually based on Terry-Thomas, especially the gap in the front teeth.

[edit] Selected filmography

[edit] External links

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