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John Laurie

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Actor

The Resume

    (March 25, 1897-June 23, 1980)
    Born in Dumfries, Scotland, United Kingdom
    Portrayed Private James Frazer in 'Dad's Army' (1968-77)
    Appeared in the films 'Juno and the Paycock' (1930), The 39 Steps' (1935), 'As You Like It' (1936), 'A Royal Divorce' (1938), 'The Four Feathers' (1939), 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' (1943), 'Henry V' (1944), 'I Know Where I'm Going' (1945), 'Hamlet' (1948), 'Treasure Island' (1950), 'The Great Game' (1953), 'Hobson's Choice' (1954), 'Devil Girl from Mars' (1954), 'Richard III' (1956), 'Kidnapped' (1960), 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' (1971), 'One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing' (1975), and 'The Prisoner of Zenda' (1979)

Why he might be annoying:

    He portrayed Edward Chapman's son in 'Juno and the Paycock,' but was actually four years older.
    He had a reputation on the 'Dad's Army' set as a pessimist.
    He said he could not see how the Home Guard could be made funny and predicted 'Dad's Army' would flop.
    He complained about 'Dad's Army,' 'I’ve played every part in Shakespeare. I was considered to be the finest Hamlet of the twenties... and now I'm famous for doing this crap.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He served in an artillery unit during World War I.
    He was the only cast member of 'Dad's Army' to have actually served in the Home Guard during World War II.
    He portrayed Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and Richard III at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon.
    He was one of three actors to appear in all three of the Shakespeare films directed by Laurence Olivier.
    He and Oonah Veronica Todd-Naylor were married for 51 years.

Credit: C. Fishel


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Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying