Ballard Berkeley
Biography
Ballard Berkeley was an English actor who worked in theater, film, and television. Born in 1904, he began appearing in quota quickies during the 1930s, and one of his first parts was the heroic lead in The Last Adventurers (1937). His films included In Which We Serve (1942) and Alfred Hitchcock's Stage Fright (1950). He became best known for his portrayal of the retired Major Gowen in the sitcom Fawlty Towers, which ran in 1975 and 1979, and he took a similar retired military role in The Main Chance. On radio, he played Colonel Freddie Danby in The Archers, and later appeared in the comedy Wrinkles. His final screen appearance was in the animated adaptation of Roald Dahl's The BFG, playing the army's leader. He died in 1988.
83years old at death
- Born Margate
- Died London
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Ballard Blascheck (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 51 years1939 to 1990
First and latest
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A change of course
During the Second World War, Ballard Berkeley was a special constable with the Metropolitan Police. He saw the Blitz himself, among it the bombing of the Cafe de Paris nightclub.
Ballard Berkeley movies on Netflix
The BFGas Head of the Army (voice)
The Weekend Murdersas Peter - The Butler
Blood Beast from Outer Spaceas Cmdr. Savage
3 Steps to the Gallowsas Insp. Haley
Operation Diplomatas Inspector Austin
Stage Frightas Sergeant Mellish
They Made Me a Fugitiveas Rockliffe
In Which We Serveas Engineer Commander
The Saint in Londonas Richard Blake
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
John Gilling directed two of these films. Four actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.





Films together
Maurice Denham2 films together, 1947 to 1965
Maurice Denham's page Blood Beast from Outer Space1965IMDb rating 5.5Berkeley as Cmdr. SavageDenham as Dr. Morley
They Made Me a Fugitive1947IMDb rating 7.2Berkeley as RockliffeDenham as Mr. Fenshaw
Kay Walsh2 films together, 1942 to 1950
Kay Walsh's page Stage Fright1950IMDb rating 7.0Berkeley as Sergeant MellishWalsh as Nellie Goode
In Which We Serve1942IMDb rating 7.2Berkeley as Engineer CommanderWalsh as Freda Lewis / Freda
Michael Wilding2 films together, 1942 to 1950
Michael Wilding's page Stage Fright1950IMDb rating 7.0Berkeley as Sergeant MellishWilding as Ordinary Smith
In Which We Serve1942IMDb rating 7.2Berkeley as Engineer CommanderWilding as Flags
Sally Gray2 films together, 1939 to 1947
Sally Gray's page They Made Me a Fugitive1947IMDb rating 7.2Berkeley as RockliffeGray as Sally Connor
The Saint in London1939IMDb rating 6.5Berkeley as Richard BlakeGray as Penny Parker
John GillingDirector, 2 films, 1953 to 1965
All films by John Gilling Blood Beast from Outer Space1965IMDb rating 5.5Berkeley as Cmdr. Savage
3 Steps to the Gallows1953IMDb rating 6.4Berkeley as Insp. Haley
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


