Errol John

Errol John
Born 20 December 1924(1924-12-20)
Gulf of Paria, Trinidad
Died 10 July 1988(1988-07-10) (aged 63)
London, England, UK
Occupation Actor
Playwright

Errol John (20 December 1924 – 10 July 1988) was a Trinidadian actor and playwright.

Born in Trinidad, he was home schooled then began his career as an artist and journalist. Deciding to pursue a career in acting, he joined the Whitehall Theatre Group in Trinidad.[1]

Following the Second World War, Errol moved to England in 1951 and continued to work in the theatre. He had several small roles in films and television. In 1953 he appeared in the film adaptation of The Heart of the Matter, followed by parts in The Emperor Jones (1953) and Simba (1955). He gained a major role in A Man from the Sun (1955), followed by a significant role in Hiding Place. The five-part series Rainbow City was written for him by John Elliott.[1][2]

His first script written for a play was The Tout (1949),[1] then his 1953 Moon on a Rainbow Shaw won the play of the year award from The Observer. He was also the author of The Exiles, part of the BBC Wednesday Play series.[2]

He attempted to join the US film industry, but was limited to minor roles in Assault on a Queen (1966) and Buck and the Preacher (1972).[3] He died in Camden, North London.[2]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c Chambers, Colin (2006). Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 407. ISBN 1847140017. 
  2. ^ a b c Ray, Ed. Mohit K. (2007). The Atlantic Companion to Literature in English. Atlantic Publishers & Dist, 2007. p. 271. ISBN 8126908327. 
  3. ^ "John, Errol (1924-1988)". BFI Screen Online. http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/537119/. Retrieved 2011-05-06. 

External links