Harold Bennett
| Harold Bennett | |
|---|---|
 as Young Mr. Grace in Are You Being Served? | |
| Born |
Harold Bennett 17 September 1899 Hastings, Sussex, England |
| Died |
15 September 1981 (aged 81) London, England |
| Years active | 1965–1981 |
Harold Bennett (17 September 1899 – 15 September 1981) was an English actor best remembered for having played 'Young Mr. Grace' in the 1970s British sitcom Are You Being Served?.
Biography
Bennett was born in Hastings, Sussex. In his early life he toured America as a clown with a circus. During World War I he was a courier, initially on horseback, then on motorcycle. After the war he took up acting and eventually worked as stage producer in the now defunct Tower Theatre, London. He subsequently pursued a career as an architect, only taking up his acting career again following retirement. He played the recurring character Mr. Blewitt in Dad's Army from 1969 to 1977.
Bennett appeared at length in Are You Being Served? as the ancient, amiably callous owner of Grace Brothers department store. He last performed in the Christmas 1981 episode; this aired some three months after his death, having been filmed earlier in the year.
Bennett also played the role of the aged Archdeacon Pulteney in The Stalls of Barchester, the 1971 BBC A Ghost Story for Christmas broadcast 24 December 1971 and adapted from the M.R. James story of the same name.
Harold Bennett died of a heart attack on 15 September 1981, two days before his 82nd birthday.
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1976–1977 | Clayhanger | Mr Shushions |
| 1969–1977 | Dad's Army | Mr Blewitt |
| 1972–1981 | Are You Being Served? | Young Mr Grace |
| 1980 | Oh Happy Band | Reverend |
Selected filmography
- Games That Lovers Play (1970)
- Au Pair Girls (1972)
- The Ups and Downs of a Handyman (1975)
- Are You Being Served? (1977)