Jack May
Born April 23, 1922 (Age: 103)
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Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Biography
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
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Filmography
Without Air
1997
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as
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Age: 74
Willie's War
1994
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as Grandfather
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Age: 71
Hard Road
1988
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as Psychiatrist
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Age: 65
The Doctor and the Devils
1985
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as Dr Stevens
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Age: 63
The Shooting Party
1985
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as Sir Harry Stamp
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Age: 62
The Bounty
1984
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as Prosecuting Captain
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Age: 62
No Image
The Wind in the Willows
1984
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as Sea Rat (voice)
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Age: 62
No Image
Friends and Other Lovers
1981
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as Mr. Franklyn
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Age: 59
The Life and Times of David Lloyd George
1981
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as Lord Runciman
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Age: 58
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
1981
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as Garkbit (Head Waiter)
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Age: 58
Whinfrey's Last Case
1979
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as General Chapman
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Age: 57
The Man Who Would Be King
1975
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as District Commissioner
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Age: 53
Soap Opera in Stockwell
1973
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as Detective
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Age: 51
Big Zapper
1973
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as Jeremiah Horn
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Age: 51
No Image
The Breaking of Colonel Keyser
1972
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as Watts
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Age: 50
Emma's Time
1970
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as Emma's father
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Age: 48
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
1969
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as Price (uncredited)
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Age: 47
Night After Night After Night
1969
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as Judge Lomax
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Age: 46
Stranger in the Family
1965
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as Evans
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Age: 43
A Prize of Arms
1962
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as MO
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Age: 40
Solo for Sparrow
1962
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as Inspector Hudson
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Age: 40
The Traitors
1962
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as Burton
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Age: 40
Two-Way Stretch
1960
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as Prison Visitor (uncredited)
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Age: 38
There Was a Crooked Man
1960
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as Police Sergeant
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Age: 38
The Professionals
1960
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as Edwards
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Age: 37
A Night to Remember
1958
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as Steerage Passenger (uncredited)
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Age: 36
The Silent Enemy
1958
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as Navy Doctor
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Age: 35
The Men of Sherwood Forest
1954
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as
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Age: 32
The Gay Dog
1954
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as Pub Customer
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Age: 32
Trouble in Store
1953
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as Bus Passenger (uncredited)
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Age: 31
Behind the Headlines
1953
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as
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Age: 31
The Blue Lamp
1950
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as Old Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
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Age: 27
Brief Encounter
1945
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as Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
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Age: 23
Johnny Frenchman
1945
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as Choir Member (uncredited)
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Age: 23