Arthur Brough was an English actor who is best known for his role as Mr. Grainger on the BBC-TV comedy series Are You Being Served? Born Frederick Arthur Baker on February 26, 1905, in Petersfield, Hampshire, he had a long and dedicated career in theater and television.
Personal and Family Life
Arthur Brough married actress Elizabeth Addeyman in 1929, and they remained together until her death in 1978. The couple used their wedding dowry to establish a repertory theater called the Leas Pavilion in Folkestone. Together, they were involved in many theatrical productions, contributing significantly to the local arts scene.
Career Highlights
Brough spent nearly fifty years in theater before gaining fame on television. He built various repertory theater companies across the UK and later transitioned to television and films, recognizing the changing landscape of entertainment. Despite initial struggles in adapting from stage to screen, he found success in small roles on TV and in movies.
Death and Legacy
Arthur Brough passed away on May 28, 1978, just weeks after the death of his wife, Elizabeth. His co-star Mollie Sugden and producer David Croft remembered him fondly for his contributions to acting. Croft chose not to replace Brough’s character in Are You Being Served?, ensuring that his legacy would live on through the show’s enduring popularity.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Are You Being Served? The Movie | 1977-06-10 | Mr. Ernest Grainger |
| The Night We Dropped a Clanger | 1959-10-10 | Adm. Bewdly |
| The Green Man | 1956-12-21 | Landlord |
| Royal Flash | 1975-10-10 | King Ludwig of Bavaria |
| Dead Man’s Chest | 1965-10-27 | Groves |
| The Singer Not the Song | 1961-01-05 | Farmer |
| The Challenge | 1960-05-17 | Landlord |
| London Conspiracy | 1974-10-04 | Moorehead |
| Are You Being Served? | 1972-09-08 | Mr. Grainger |
| The Persuaders! | 1971-09-17 | Moorehead |
| Jason King | 1971-09-15 | |
| No Hiding Place | 1959-09-16 | |
| Barnaby Rudge | 1960-09-30 | |
| Upstairs, Downstairs | 1971-10-10 | Stallinbrass |
| The Main Chance | 1969-06-18 | County Court Judge |