Gerald Campion
| Gerald Campion | |
|---|---|
 Gerald Campion as Billy Bunter in the eponymous TV series. | |
| Born |
Gerald Theron Campion 23 April 1921 London, England |
| Died |
9 July 2002 (aged 81) Agen, France |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse(s) |
Jean Symond Susan Mark |
| Children | Ann, Anthony, Angelica |
| Parents | Cyril Campion |
Gerald Theron Campion (born 23 April 1921 in Bloomsbury, London; died 9 July 2002 in Agen, Aquitaine, France) was an English actor best known for his role as Billy Bunter in a 1950s television adaptation of books by Frank Richards (Charles Hamilton).[1]
The son of a screen writer, Cyril Campion, Gerald Campion appeared in numerous films and television programmes — mostly comedies. In 1937 he appeared in Tavs Neiiendam's radio play Inspiration to a Poet on the BBC Home Service.[2]
His only major success was as Bunter, a juvenile role he played successfully despite being much older than his character (he was 40 when the series ended). In 1979 he recorded an appearance in Shada, a Doctor Who story which was recorded in part but never broadcast.
After dropping out of acting, he ran clubs and restaurants in London's Soho, the most famous - and enduring - of which is Gerry's, a private member's club attracting a mainly theatrical membership.
Campion later reprised the role of Bunter (now Lord Bunter of Hove, who had succeeded in betting shops and property) in the BBC Radio 7 series Whatever Happened to...? in the episode that speculated on whether his form master at Greyfriars School, Horace Henry Samuel Quelch, became a secret agent.
Personal life
He was married twice: to Jean Simmons in 1947 (divorced 1972) and to Susan Marks in 1972 until his death. He had three children with his first wife: Anthea (a singer who married composer Thomas Rajna), Anthony and Angelica. He lived in Wittersham, Kent for many years. His mother Blanche Louise Tunstall Bear was Charlie Chaplin's first cousin.[3]
Gerry's Bar
The Soho drinking bar in Dean Street, London, is named after him.
Selected filmography
- The Pickwick Papers (1952)
- Knave of Hearts (1954)
- Up to His Neck (1954)
- Fun at St. Fanny's (1956)
- Carry On Sergeant (1958)
- Inn for Trouble (1960)
- School for Scoundrels (1960)
- The Fast Lady (1962)
- The Comedy Man (1964)
- Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965) uncredited
- The Sandwich Man (1966)
- The Sorcerers (1967)
- Half a Sixpence(1967)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
References
- ↑ Profile of Gerald Campion: ComicsUK.co.uk website. Retrieved on 4 October 2007.
- ↑ The Times, "Broadcasting: A Danish Play", 11 March 1937
- ↑ David Robinson, Chaplin His Life And Art
External links
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