Jack May
Acting
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
Known for
Acting103
movieWillie's War
1994
Grandfather
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1
1989
Igor/Giant (voice)
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2
1989
Igor (voice)
tvCount Duckula
1988
Igor (voice)
movieHard Road
1988
Psychiatrist
tvBig Muzzy
1987
Muzzy (voice)
movieThe Doctor and the Devils
1985
Dr Stevens
tvBulman
1985
Sir Thomas Boycott
movieThe Shooting Party
1985
Sir Harry Stamp
movieThe Bounty
1984
Prosecuting Captain
movieA Swarm in May
1983
Mr. Ardent - the Headmaster
movieThe Return of the Soldier
1983
Brigadier General
tvThe Agatha Christie Hour
1982
Colonel Jaggers
movieThe Life and Times of David Lloyd George
1981
Lord Runciman
movieThe Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
1981
Garkbit (Head Waiter)
tvThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
1981
Garkbit (Head Waiter)
movieWhinfrey's Last Case
1979
General Chapman
tvShoestring
1979
Judge
movieHenry VIII
1979
Lord Chancellor
tvA Horseman Riding By
1978
Lord Gilroy
Hawkmoor
1978
John Stedman
tvAll Creatures Great and Small
1978
Reverend Henty
tvTarget
1977
Chief Officer
movieThe Seven-Per-Cent Solution
1976
Dr. Schultz
movieThe Man Who Would Be King
1975
District Commissioner
tvPoldark
1975
Ralph Allen Daniell
movieSoap Opera in Stockwell
1973
Detective
Black and Blue
1973
Detective
movieBig Zapper
1973
Jeremiah Horn
tvVan der Valk
1972
Minister
tvThe Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
1971
James Ladbroke, Q.C.
Brett
1971
Mason
tvBudgie
1971
Mr. Pratt
The Ten Commandments
1971
Herbert Ward
movieThe Yes Girls
1971
King Reiter
movieTrog
1970
Dr. Selbourne
tvUFO
1970
English Delegate
movieEmma's Time
1970
Emma's father
movieGoodbye, Mr. Chips
1969
Price (uncredited)
tvThe Main Chance
1969
Derrick Asher / Harry Turner
movieDoctor Who: The Space Pirates
1969
General Hermack
movieNight After Night After Night
1969
Judge Lomax
movieA Twist of Sand
1968
Inspector Seekert
tvAdam Adamant Lives!
1966
William E. Simms
tvThe Wednesday Play
1964
Lt. Krov
tvDetective
1964
Inspector Dubois
tvDoctor Who
1963
General Nicolai Hermack
Festival
1963
Voice of God (voice)
tvEspionage
1963
Brent
movieSolo for Sparrow
1962
Inspector Hudson
movieThe Traitors
1962
Burton
tvA for Andromeda
1961
Major Quadring
movieTwo-Way Stretch
1960
Prison Visitor (uncredited)
tvDanger Man
1960
Third Secretary
movieThere Was a Crooked Man
1960
Police Sergeant
tvAn Age of Kings
1960
Duke of York
movieThe Professionals
1960
Edwards
tvNo Hiding Place
1959
Major Westbrook
movieA Night to Remember
1958
Steerage Passenger (uncredited)
movieThe Silent Enemy
1958
Navy Doctor
tvPride and Prejudice
1958
Mr Collins
Nicholas Nickleby
1957
Lord Frederick Verisopht
movieCat Girl
1957
Richard Johnson
tvThe Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
1955
Citizen (uncredited)
tvMark Saber
1954
Newsvendor
movieThe Gay Dog
1954
Pub Customer
movieTrouble in Store
1953
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
moviePool of London
1951
Sailor on the Dunbar (uncredited)
movieThe Blue Lamp
1950
Old Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
tvSunday Night Theatre
1950
David Gottlieb / Burton
movieBrief Encounter
1945
Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
movieJohnny Frenchman
1945
Choir Member (uncredited)
movieThis Happy Breed
1944
Mourner
movieDeadlock
1943
Postman
movieMillions Like Us
1943
Old Man
movieThe Gentle Sex
1943
Postman (uncredited)