Prolific comedy actor who worked with Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan and Hattie Jacques
The stony-faced, beaky comedy actor Graham Stark, who has died aged 91, is best remembered for his appearances alongside Peter Sellers, notably in the Pink Panther movies. His familiar face and voice, on television and radio, were part of the essential furniture in the sitting room of our popular culture for more than half a century. A stalwart in the national postwar comedy boom led by Sellers, Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Dick Emery, Eric Sykes and Benny Hill, he worked with them all in a sort of unofficial supporting repertory company that also included Hattie Jacques, Deryck Guyler, Patricia Hayes and Arthur Mullard. He was also a man of surprising and various parts: child actor, trained dancer, film-maker, occasional writer, and dedicated and critically acclaimed photographer.
Like Gypsy Rose Lee, he had a resourceful and determined...
The stony-faced, beaky comedy actor Graham Stark, who has died aged 91, is best remembered for his appearances alongside Peter Sellers, notably in the Pink Panther movies. His familiar face and voice, on television and radio, were part of the essential furniture in the sitting room of our popular culture for more than half a century. A stalwart in the national postwar comedy boom led by Sellers, Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Dick Emery, Eric Sykes and Benny Hill, he worked with them all in a sort of unofficial supporting repertory company that also included Hattie Jacques, Deryck Guyler, Patricia Hayes and Arthur Mullard. He was also a man of surprising and various parts: child actor, trained dancer, film-maker, occasional writer, and dedicated and critically acclaimed photographer.
Like Gypsy Rose Lee, he had a resourceful and determined...
- 11/1/2013
- by Michael Coveney
- The Guardian - Film News
London — Eric Sykes, the widely-acclaimed British comedy actor and writer, died Wednesday. He was 89.
Sykes was one of the most popular comic actors of his generation, appearing in shows in London's West End into his 80s. He began his career writing scripts for BBC shows, co-writing 24 episodes of the classic radio comedy "The Goon Show" with the late Spike Milligan.
He appeared in the "Sykes and a" sitcom about a brother and sister living together in west London, which ran in the 1960s and 1970s. He went on to write and act in theater shows and movies, including an appearance in "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman and in the Harry Potter film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
Sykes also wrote scripts for Peter Sellers and other major British actors.
Manager Norma Farnes said that Sykes died following a brief illness and was with his family when he passed away,...
Sykes was one of the most popular comic actors of his generation, appearing in shows in London's West End into his 80s. He began his career writing scripts for BBC shows, co-writing 24 episodes of the classic radio comedy "The Goon Show" with the late Spike Milligan.
He appeared in the "Sykes and a" sitcom about a brother and sister living together in west London, which ran in the 1960s and 1970s. He went on to write and act in theater shows and movies, including an appearance in "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman and in the Harry Potter film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
Sykes also wrote scripts for Peter Sellers and other major British actors.
Manager Norma Farnes said that Sykes died following a brief illness and was with his family when he passed away,...
- 7/5/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
His name may not be well-known to international audiences, but UK film and TV fans are mourning the loss of Eric Sykes, who passed away at age 89. Sykes was an original writer, with Spike Milligan, on the classic Goon Show before establishing himself as one of England's most popular and enduring comedic character actors. He also appeared in such diverse feature films as Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Theatre of Blood and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Despite having to cope with serious health issues and physical handicaps in recent years, Sykes continued to perform regularly. He had been awarded both an OBE and Cbe over the years. For more click here ...
- 7/5/2012
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Comedy writer and actor who starred in 70s sitcom Sykes and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has died after a short illness
From writing a film where the only word uttered is "rhubarb" to creating one of TV's most popular sitcom partnerships, Eric Sykes – who died on Wednesday aged 89 – will be remembered as one of Britain's finest comedy actors and writers.
Tributes came in thick and fast for a man who was seldom off radios, stages or screens in a career spanning 60 years that will spark different memories for different generations.
Some will know him best for writing and directing the silly slapstick film The Plank while others will remember his sitcom partnership with Hattie Jacques, who played his perpetually exasperated sister.
More recently, in the face of near total deafness and blindness, Sykes appeared in the fourth Harry Potter film and, in 2007, the British comedy Son of Rambow.
From writing a film where the only word uttered is "rhubarb" to creating one of TV's most popular sitcom partnerships, Eric Sykes – who died on Wednesday aged 89 – will be remembered as one of Britain's finest comedy actors and writers.
Tributes came in thick and fast for a man who was seldom off radios, stages or screens in a career spanning 60 years that will spark different memories for different generations.
Some will know him best for writing and directing the silly slapstick film The Plank while others will remember his sitcom partnership with Hattie Jacques, who played his perpetually exasperated sister.
More recently, in the face of near total deafness and blindness, Sykes appeared in the fourth Harry Potter film and, in 2007, the British comedy Son of Rambow.
- 7/4/2012
- by Mark Brown
- The Guardian - Film News
Fans of British radio, television and film will doubtless remember Eric Sykes as a tireless performer who entertained generations of U.K. audiences. Not only did he appear and star in several TV projects and movies, but he also wrote scripts for major British actors including Peter Sellers.
Sykes began his career writing for BBC radio shows and co-wrote 24 episodes of radio comedy "The Goon Show" with the late Spike Milligan, reports Fox News. He then went on to appear in several TV sitcoms, including "Syes and a" about a brother and sister living in West London. More recently, he made small appearances in movies like "The Others" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
"To me, he was a great inspiration, both as a writer and performer," says Monty Python's Michael Palin.
"Oh no! Eric Sykes gone?" tweets comedian Stephen Fry. "An adorable, brilliant, modest, hilarious, innovative and irreplaceable comic master.
Sykes began his career writing for BBC radio shows and co-wrote 24 episodes of radio comedy "The Goon Show" with the late Spike Milligan, reports Fox News. He then went on to appear in several TV sitcoms, including "Syes and a" about a brother and sister living in West London. More recently, he made small appearances in movies like "The Others" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
"To me, he was a great inspiration, both as a writer and performer," says Monty Python's Michael Palin.
"Oh no! Eric Sykes gone?" tweets comedian Stephen Fry. "An adorable, brilliant, modest, hilarious, innovative and irreplaceable comic master.
- 7/4/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
The entertainment world has lost one of its most respected comedy writers and performers as Eric Sykes has died at the age of 89.Sykes grew up in Oldham, Lancashire and began his entertainment career while serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Following the conflict, he moved to London in 1946 and began looking for work. A lucky break – very lucky, since he’d ended up cold and penniless – saw him meet an old Air Force friend, Bill Fraser, who invited him to come and write material at the Playhouse Theatre. Sykes wound up writing for Fraser and other performers including Frankie Howerd, and quickly made a name for himself as a quality comic scribe.Sykes started performing himself on the radio in 1950, working with, among other notable names, Tony Hancock. During that time, he shared an office with Spike Milligan. In 1954, he began working with Milligan on Goon Show scripts,...
- 7/4/2012
- EmpireOnline
TV and radio comedy legend Eric Sykes has died at the age of 89. Stars have been quick to celebrate the writer and actor who worked with comic icons such as Tommy Cooper and Tony Hancock during his seven decade-long career, praising his comic talents, genius writing skills and humble and generous nature. But for those too young to remember the likes of Sykes and The Plank, here are some classic clips of Eric in action: Sykes, Hattie Jacques on the Billy Cotton Band Show
Eric and his most famous collaborator Hattie Jacques are in fine comic form in this early recording of the Band Show. Billy Cotton joins them for a comic reworking of 'I Caught Mummy Kissing Santa Claus'. Sykes and Jacques
Sykes and Hattie Jacques in one of their earliest TV outings, an early episode of Sykes And A.... Two superb comic actors at (more)...
Eric and his most famous collaborator Hattie Jacques are in fine comic form in this early recording of the Band Show. Billy Cotton joins them for a comic reworking of 'I Caught Mummy Kissing Santa Claus'. Sykes and Jacques
Sykes and Hattie Jacques in one of their earliest TV outings, an early episode of Sykes And A.... Two superb comic actors at (more)...
- 7/4/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Eric Sykes, a well-loved British comedian, actor and writer whose career spanned more than 50 years, has died. His manager Norma Farnes tells Reuters Sykes passed away peacefully this morning after a short illness. He was 89. Sykes began his career as a comedy writer in the 1940s in London on the radio show Variety Bandbox and went on to co-write 24 episodes of the classic radio comedy The Goon Show on BBC. His breakthrough in television came in 1960 in Sykes and a…. in which he co-starred with Hatti Jacques in a brother-sister act. He had several supporting roles in feature films including Heavens Above (1963), Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines (1965) and The Spy With A Cold Nose (1966). He is possibly best remembered for the virtually dialogue-free film called The Plank in which he and Tommy Cooper appeared as two workmen delivering planks to a building site. Most recently Sykes appeared in The Others (2001) starring Nicole Kidman,...
- 7/4/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
TV and radio writer and acting legend Eric Sykes has died aged 89, leaving a huge hole in the comedy world. Sykes, who worked with greats such as Tommy Cooper, Hattie Jacques, Tony Hancock and Spike Milligan, entertained seven generations of audiences with his gentle but zany comedic style. Performers and fans of all ages have left tributes for Sykes with the media and on Twitter today (July 4). Keep reading for a small selection of the plaudits: Stephen Fry on Twitter: "Oh no! Eric Sykes gone? An adorable, brilliant, modest, hilarious, innovative and irreplaceable comic master. Farewell, dear, dear man." Jon Plowman, former Head of BBC Comedy: "We won't see his like again. He was a wonderful improviser. His genius was both as a scriptwriter but also someone who could do stuff off the cuff. He was classless and funny and warm." TV (more)...
- 7/4/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
It is for comedy that Eric Sykes will be remembered, and here – in clips from his own hit shows and alongside Tommy Cooper, Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers – is why
I interviewed Eric Sykes, who has died aged 89, in 2001 and the first thing the subeditor who received my copy said was: "I didn't know he was still alive." The legendary comedian had just filmed a straight role alongside Nicole Kidman in The Others, which demonstrated that his range was wider than people perhaps thought. But it is for comedy that Sykes will be remembered, and here is why.
Reading this on mobile? Click here to view
Sykes started out after the second world war writing for Frankie Howerd and the Goons but by 1960 he had his own sitcom vehicle, Sykes and A …. His unmarried twin sister was played by Hattie Jacques, but perhaps the most memorable episode was more of a solo turn,...
I interviewed Eric Sykes, who has died aged 89, in 2001 and the first thing the subeditor who received my copy said was: "I didn't know he was still alive." The legendary comedian had just filmed a straight role alongside Nicole Kidman in The Others, which demonstrated that his range was wider than people perhaps thought. But it is for comedy that Sykes will be remembered, and here is why.
Reading this on mobile? Click here to view
Sykes started out after the second world war writing for Frankie Howerd and the Goons but by 1960 he had his own sitcom vehicle, Sykes and A …. His unmarried twin sister was played by Hattie Jacques, but perhaps the most memorable episode was more of a solo turn,...
- 7/4/2012
- by Bruce Dessau
- The Guardian - Film News
Eric Sykes, the legendary TV and radio comedian, has passed away aged 89. The writer and star of classic '70s BBC sitcom Sykes, a writer for The Goon Show and a collaborator with stars such as Hattie Jacques, Tommy Cooper, Peter Sellers and Tony Hancock, Sykes entertained and amused audiences for seven decades. [Photo Gallery - The Life & Career of Eric Sykes] Sykes was partially deaf from his 30s and in later age was registered blind, but he continued to perform despite his disabilities. He married Edith Eleanore Milbrandt (more)...
- 7/4/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
The legendary British TV actor and comedian Eric Sykes has passed away following a short battle with illness, aged 89. Sykes's entertainment career as a writer for TV and radio, actor and director spanned seven decades and included work with comedy greats such as Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Hattie Jacques. The TV star's manager Norma Farnes said this morning (July 4): "Eric Sykes, star of TV, stage and films, died peacefully this morning after a short illness. His family were with him." Sykes is best remembered for his work in the 1960s and '70s, when he regularly teamed up with Hattie Jacques in the sitcoms and sketch (more)...
- 7/4/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Eric in The OthersActor Eric Sykes has died, aged 89, according to his manager Norma Farnes.
Speaking this morning, she said: "Eric Sykes, 89, star of TV, stage and films died peacefully this morning after a short illness.
"His family were with him."
The Lancashire actor, who began his career in the Fifties, writing and performing on radio, went on to carve a niche in television and film, including the popular TV series Sykes And A... with Hattie Jacques and Sykes.
Known for both his aptitude for visual slapstick gags - typified by The Plank - and more subtle character acting, he also played a number of memorable supporting roles on the big screen, in films as wide ranging as The Others, Son Of Rambow and Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. He also provided the "Teletubbies" sign off at the end of each episode of the children's favourite.
He once said:.
Speaking this morning, she said: "Eric Sykes, 89, star of TV, stage and films died peacefully this morning after a short illness.
"His family were with him."
The Lancashire actor, who began his career in the Fifties, writing and performing on radio, went on to carve a niche in television and film, including the popular TV series Sykes And A... with Hattie Jacques and Sykes.
Known for both his aptitude for visual slapstick gags - typified by The Plank - and more subtle character acting, he also played a number of memorable supporting roles on the big screen, in films as wide ranging as The Others, Son Of Rambow and Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. He also provided the "Teletubbies" sign off at the end of each episode of the children's favourite.
He once said:.
- 7/3/2012
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
You can't show war as it really is on the screen, with all the blood and gore. Perhaps it would be better if you could fire real shots over the audience's head every night, you know, and have actual casualties in the theater. -- Sam Fuller, film director and author
War is a grisly business, a horror of epic proportions. In terms of human carnage alone, war's devastation is staggering. For example, it is estimated that approximately 231 million people died worldwide during the wars of the 20th century. However, this figure does not take into account the walking wounded -- both physically and psychologically -- who "survive" war. Eventually, war will be our undoing. As Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent and author Chris Hedges observes: War is like a poison. And just as a cancer patient must at times ingest a poison to fight off a disease, so there are times...
War is a grisly business, a horror of epic proportions. In terms of human carnage alone, war's devastation is staggering. For example, it is estimated that approximately 231 million people died worldwide during the wars of the 20th century. However, this figure does not take into account the walking wounded -- both physically and psychologically -- who "survive" war. Eventually, war will be our undoing. As Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent and author Chris Hedges observes: War is like a poison. And just as a cancer patient must at times ingest a poison to fight off a disease, so there are times...
- 3/1/2012
- by John W. Whitehead
- Moviefone
When we asked you which film Xan Brooks should liveblog on Thursday there was never really a contest. So what happened when Monte Carlo or Bust! aired on Channel 4 at 12:05pm?
11.58am: Welcome, welcome to Thursday's live-blog of a film off the telly. On Monday we had Michael Hann's Michelin-starred Layer Cake. Tuesday brought us Andrew Pulver's eloquent salon with The Quiet Man. Wednesday exploded and melted down as Catherine Shoard blogged K19: The Widowmaker.
Our film today, as chosen by you, is Monte Carlo or Bust! This, it transpires, was shot in 1969 by director Ken Annakin and was the sequel to his 1965 outing Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. This features cars in place of planes and was released in the Us as Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies. It stars Tony Curtis, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Susan Hampshire.
Now I've...
11.58am: Welcome, welcome to Thursday's live-blog of a film off the telly. On Monday we had Michael Hann's Michelin-starred Layer Cake. Tuesday brought us Andrew Pulver's eloquent salon with The Quiet Man. Wednesday exploded and melted down as Catherine Shoard blogged K19: The Widowmaker.
Our film today, as chosen by you, is Monte Carlo or Bust! This, it transpires, was shot in 1969 by director Ken Annakin and was the sequel to his 1965 outing Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. This features cars in place of planes and was released in the Us as Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies. It stars Tony Curtis, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Susan Hampshire.
Now I've...
- 10/7/2010
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
CBS Announces The Cast For The Next Installment Of "The Amazing Race," Which Premieres With A Special 90-minute Debut On Sunday, Sept. 26
11 Teams Will Travel Over 32,000 Miles, Spanning Four Continents and 30 Cities, with Inaugural Visits to Bangladesh, Ghana and a Trek Deep into the Arctic Circle.
CBS announced today the 11 new teams competing in the next installment of The Amazing Race, which premieres with a special 90-minute debut on Sunday, Sept. 26 (8:30-10:00 Pm, Et/Pt). Phil Keoghan is the host.
This season's cast of Racers will travel over 32,000 miles, covering four continents and 30 cities, with first-time visits to Bangladesh, Ghana and the Arctic Circle. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the Race, the Team to finish in first place during the premiere episode will be awarded a surprise, game-changing advantage.
The new season features Racers from all walks of life, including a Team of Home Shopping hosts,...
11 Teams Will Travel Over 32,000 Miles, Spanning Four Continents and 30 Cities, with Inaugural Visits to Bangladesh, Ghana and a Trek Deep into the Arctic Circle.
CBS announced today the 11 new teams competing in the next installment of The Amazing Race, which premieres with a special 90-minute debut on Sunday, Sept. 26 (8:30-10:00 Pm, Et/Pt). Phil Keoghan is the host.
This season's cast of Racers will travel over 32,000 miles, covering four continents and 30 cities, with first-time visits to Bangladesh, Ghana and the Arctic Circle. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the Race, the Team to finish in first place during the premiere episode will be awarded a surprise, game-changing advantage.
The new season features Racers from all walks of life, including a Team of Home Shopping hosts,...
- 9/1/2010
- by noreply@blogger.com (realitytvnews)
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