James Hayter

James Hayter was an American actor best known for his roles in “Are You Being Served?”, “The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men,” and “David Copperfield.”

Personal and Family Life

James Hayter, born Henry James Goodenough Hayter on April 23, 1907, in Lonavala, India, was the son of a police superintendent. He was educated in Scotland and began acting after encouragement from his headmaster. Hayter had two marriages; first to Marjorie Lane, which ended in divorce, and later to Mary E. R. Shaw. He was a father to seven children and was a grandfather to actress Charity Wakefield.

Career

Hayter made his stage debut in 1925 and spent years performing in repertory theatre and the West End, including notable shows like “Pygmalion.” He appeared in films from 1936 and served in the Royal Armoured Corps during World War II. After the war, he gained fame as a character actor, especially in comedic roles, including Friar Tuck in two separate Robin Hood films and notable appearances in “The Pickwick Papers” and “David Copperfield.”

Death and Legacy

James Hayter passed away on March 27, 1983, in Villajoyosa, Spain, shortly before his co-star from “Four Sided Triangle,” Stephen Murray. His contributions to film and television have left a lasting mark, particularly for his memorable character roles that brought joy to audiences.

Filmography

TitleRelease DateCharacter
The Horror of Frankenstein1970-11-08Bailiff
The Fallen Idol1948-09-30Perry
The Crimson Pirate1952-09-27Prof. Prudence
The 39 Steps1959-03-13Mr Memory
The Blood on Satan’s Claw1971-01-28Squire Middleton
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men1952-05-26Friar Tuck
Burke & Hare1972-02-03Dr. Selby
Beau Brummell1954-11-16Mortimer
For Better, for Worse1954-06-20The Plumber
Tom Brown’s Schooldays1951-04-17Old Thomas
Gideon’s Day1958-03-25Robert Mason
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby1947-03-12Ned and Charles Cheeryble
A Challenge for Robin Hood1967-07-01Friar Tuck
Once a Jolly Swagman1949-02-02Pa Fox
Four Sided Triangle1953-06-15Dr. Harvey
Abandon Ship1957-03-12‘Cookie’ Morrow
Trio1950-10-10Albert Foreman (segment “The Verger”)
Murder in Soho1939-02-01Nick Green
The Pickwick Papers1952-11-14Samuel Pickwick
Always a Bride1953-08-12Dutton
The Big Money1958-06-09Mr Frith
Dear Mr. Prohack1949-09-07Carrell Quire
Silent Dust1949-02-01Pringle
I’m A Stranger1952-07-01Horatio Flowerdew
Out of the Fog1962-09-01Daniels
Song of Norway1970-11-04Butler to Berg
A Day to Remember1953-11-10Fred Collins
A Song for Tomorrow1948-06-08Nicholas Klausmann
The Blue Lagoon1949-03-01Dr Murdock
Big Fella1938-01-03Chuck
Bonnie Prince Charlie1948-10-26Kingsburgh
Morning Departure1950-02-21
All Over the Town1949-04-25Councillor Baines
Port Afrique1956-06-18Nino
The Great Game1953-01-01Joe Lawson
Touch and Go1955-10-02Kimball
It’s a Wonderful World1956-08-28Bert Fielding
Come on George!1939-12-01Barker
The Captain’s Table1959-01-06Earnshaw
Keep It Clean1956-05-01Mr. Bouncenboy