Peter Gilmore | |
|---|---|
) Gilmore as James Onedin in The Onedin Line | |
| Born | John Peter Gilmore 25 August 1931 Leipzig, Germany |
| Died | 3 February 2013 (aged 81) |
| Education | Great Ayton Friends' School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1958–1996 |
| Spouse(s) | Una Stubbs (1958–1969; divorced) Jan Waters (1970–1976; divorced) Anne Stallybrass (1987–2013; his death) |
| Children | 1 |
John Peter Gilmore (25 August 1931 – 3 February 2013), known as Peter Gilmore, was an English actor, known for his portrayal of Captain James Onedin in 91 episodes of the BBC television period drama The Onedin Line (1971–1980), created by Cyril Abraham.[2]
Career
Born in Leipzig, Germany, and brought up in Nunthorpe, North Riding of Yorkshire, Gilmore left school at the age of 14. He had roles in eleven Carry On films, and appeared in many British films including The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966), Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and Warlords of Atlantis (1978). During his early career, he appeared in several stage musicals, including Lock Up Your Daughters and released a single, "Follow That Girl" (HMV POP 740), in 1960. He played Macheath opposite Jan Waters as Polly in a 1968 production of the Beggar's Opera in London, in which both were praised for their portrayals.[3] After achieving notice in the role of James Onedin, Gilmore felt he had become typecast as the rugged sea captain.[4]
He later appeared in a Doctor Who serial Frontios (1984) in which he played a character called Brazen. Gilmore also appeared in a Heartbeat episode, called "The Frighteners", during the Nick Berry era; his third wife, actress Anne Stallybrass was a regular in the series.
Personal life
He married three times: to actress Una Stubbs (1958–1969), with whom he adopted a child; to Jan Waters (1970–1976); and to actress, and former Onedin Line colleague, Anne Stallybrass (1987–2013), who survived him.
Gilmore quit school at the age of 14 and started pursuing his dream of becoming an actor. In 1952, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art preparatory school Parada for a short time before being expelled.[5] When he joined the army he discovered that he had a talent for singing and after his discharge from the army he joined a singing group called the George Mitchell singers. They appeared in a couple of stage plays but they didn't have the success they wanted. Gilmore soon gave up singing and continued his acting.
Death
Peter Gilmore died in London on 3 February 2013, aged 81. He was survived by his third wife (Stallybrass), and a son, Jason, adopted during his first marriage.[1]
Selected filmography
- Master Spy (1963) - Tom Masters
- Carry On Cabby (1963) - Dancy
- Bomb in the High Street (1963) - Shorty
- Carry On Jack (1963) - Patch, Pirate Captain, aka Roger
- Every Day's a Holiday (1964) - Kenneth
- Carry On Cleo (1964) - Galley Master
- I've Gotta Horse (1965) - Jock
- You Must Be Joking! (1965)
- Carry On Cowboy (1965) - Henchman Curly
- Doctor in Clover (1966) - Len the choreographer
- The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966) - Butters
- Don't Lose Your Head (1966) - Citizen Robespierre
- The Jokers (1967) - Man at Party
- Follow That Camel (1967) - Captain Humphrey Bagshaw
- Carry On Doctor (1968) - Henry
- Carry On Up the Khyber (1968) - Private Ginger Hale
- Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) - Private Burgess
- Carry On Again Doctor (1969) - Henry
- My Lover My Son (1970) - Barman
- Carry On Henry (1971) - King Francis of France
- The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) - Dr. Kitaj
- Freelance (1971) - Boss
- Warlords of Atlantis (1978) - Charles Aitken
- The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987) - Kevin O'Nell
- Carry On Columbus (1992) - Governor of the Canaries
References
- ^ a b Stuart Jeffries (6 February 2013) Peter Gilmore obituary, The Guardian
- ^ "Onedin Line star Peter Gilmore dies aged 81", The Telegraph, 7 February 2013. Accessed 9 February 2013
- ^ London Opera Diary : The Beggar's Opera. Apollo Theatre, September 16. Opera, November 1968, Vol.19 No.11, p927-8.
- ^ Obituary in The Times, 8 February 2013; accessed 9 February 2013
- ^ "Obituaries: Peter Gilmore". The Telegraph. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2019.