Frank Thornton
Biography
Frank Thornton was an English actor whose comedy work on British television made him a familiar face. Born in Dulwich, London, he trained at the London School of Dramatic Art and later worked in touring and repertory theater before his first credited screen role in Radio Cab Murder (1954). During the 1960s and 1970s he appeared in comedies such as Carry On Screaming! (1966), The Big Job (1965), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966), The Bed Sitting Room (1969), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) and No Sex Please, We're British (1973). He became best known as Captain Peacock in the BBC comedy Are You Being Served? between 1972 and 1985 and returned to the role in Grace & Favour between 1992 and 1993. He later played Herbert Truelove in Last of the Summer Wine and appeared in Gosford Park (2001), and earned an Olivier Award nomination for Me and My Girl in 1984.
92years old at death
- Born London
- Died London
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- Also credited as Frank Thornton Ball
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 26 years1964 to 1990
Genres
First and latest
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A role that slipped away
Thornton took over the role of Herbert "Truly" Truelove in Last of the Summer Wine in 1997, and the actor he replaced, Brian Wilde, had suggested him for the part.
First role
During the Second World War, Thornton was evacuated with his drama school. His first job was a tour of four plays in Ireland that started in County Tipperary.
Frank Thornton movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Richard Lester directed two of these films, Gerald Thomas two. Ten 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
Michael Hordern's page
Roy Kinnear's page
Joan Sims's page
Peter Butterworth's page
Jim Dale's page
Frank Forsyth's page
All films by Richard Lester
Gerald ThomasDirector, 2 films, 1965 to 1966
All films by Gerald Thomas
Also two films together4 more actors
- Arthur LoweNo Sex Please - We're British (1973) and The Bed Sitting Room (1969)
- Deryck GuylerNo Sex Please - We're British (1973) and The Big Job (1965)
- Michael WardCarry On Screaming (1966) and The Big Job (1965)
- Mollie SugdenThe BFG (1990) and Are You Being Served? The Movie (1977)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.