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Jimmy Ellis: Belfast-born Z-Cars actor dies aged 82 | Jimmy Ellis: Belfast-born Z-Cars actor dies aged 82 |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Belfast-born actor Jimmy Ellis, best known for his roles in Z-Cars and alongside a young Kenneth Branagh in BBC Northern Ireland's series of "Billy" plays, has died. | The Belfast-born actor Jimmy Ellis, best known for his roles in Z-Cars and alongside a young Kenneth Branagh in BBC Northern Ireland's series of "Billy" plays, has died. |
Mr Ellis died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early on Saturday. He was 82. | Mr Ellis died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early on Saturday. He was 82. |
He began his acting career in 1952 at Belfast's Group Theatre before moving to England in the early 1960s. | He began his acting career in 1952 at Belfast's Group Theatre before moving to England in the early 1960s. |
His first big break came when he was cast as Bert Lynch in police drama Z-Cars, which ran from 1962 to 1978. | His first big break came when he was cast as Bert Lynch in police drama Z-Cars, which ran from 1962 to 1978. |
Peter Johnston, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said: "We are saddened to hear about the death of Jimmy Ellis. He was a major talent from Northern Ireland, famous for his roles in Z-Cars and the Billy plays. | Peter Johnston, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said: "We are saddened to hear about the death of Jimmy Ellis. He was a major talent from Northern Ireland, famous for his roles in Z-Cars and the Billy plays. |
"He will be deeply missed by all his colleagues on screen and on stage." | "He will be deeply missed by all his colleagues on screen and on stage." |
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, tweeted: "Very sorry to learn of the passing of Jimmy Ellis, one of our own, great actor & opponent of censorship." | Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, tweeted: "Very sorry to learn of the passing of Jimmy Ellis, one of our own, great actor & opponent of censorship." |
James Ellis was born in Belfast on 15 March 1931. | James Ellis was born in Belfast on 15 March 1931. |
He studied at the city's Methodist College and Queen's University, and then the Bristol Old Vic. | He studied at the city's Methodist College and Queen's University, and then the Bristol Old Vic. |
He soon graduated to leading man after joining the Group Theatre. | He soon graduated to leading man after joining the Group Theatre. |
Courageous move | |
After starring in such plays as The Playboy of the Western World, he was appointed director of productions at the theatre in 1959. | After starring in such plays as The Playboy of the Western World, he was appointed director of productions at the theatre in 1959. |
However, he resigned in 1960 to direct and stage Sam Thompson's play Over The Bridge, which the Group Theatre's board had deemed too controversial. | However, he resigned in 1960 to direct and stage Sam Thompson's play Over The Bridge, which the Group Theatre's board had deemed too controversial. |
Northern Ireland playwright Martin Lynch paid tribute to Mr Ellis, and said his support for Over The Bridge, which dealt with issues of sectarianism, was a courageous move. | Northern Ireland playwright Martin Lynch paid tribute to Mr Ellis, and said his support for Over The Bridge, which dealt with issues of sectarianism, was a courageous move. |
He said: "He broke the back of conservatism in the establishment at that time and very, very courageously stuck to his guns. Him and Sam Thompson were a great team together to create and produce Over The Bridge when the establishment didn't want it to happen." | |
Aside from Z-Cars, a police drama set on Merseyside, he starred in some of the UK's best-known and much-loved programmes, including Doctor Who, In Sickness And In Health, Ballykissangel and Only Fools And Horses. | Aside from Z-Cars, a police drama set on Merseyside, he starred in some of the UK's best-known and much-loved programmes, including Doctor Who, In Sickness And In Health, Ballykissangel and Only Fools And Horses. |
Personal tragedy | |
He returned home in 1982 to star as the bullying father Norman Martin in Too Late To Talk To Billy, the first of a trio of Graham Reid plays that exposed a national audience to the authentic voice of working-class Ulster Protestants for the first time. | He returned home in 1982 to star as the bullying father Norman Martin in Too Late To Talk To Billy, the first of a trio of Graham Reid plays that exposed a national audience to the authentic voice of working-class Ulster Protestants for the first time. |
Sir Kenneth Branagh, who was just out of drama school, played his son Billy, and the pair later reprised their partnership in A Matter Of Choice For Billy and A Coming To Terms For Billy. | Sir Kenneth Branagh, who was just out of drama school, played his son Billy, and the pair later reprised their partnership in A Matter Of Choice For Billy and A Coming To Terms For Billy. |
He suffered personal tragedy in 1988 when his son Adam, then aged 28, was murdered in west London. | He suffered personal tragedy in 1988 when his son Adam, then aged 28, was murdered in west London. |
In a March 2012 interview with the Express, the actor recalled: "I went berserk. I wasn't in possession of my senses. I kicked open the doors of every pub in the street shouting 'Who knows who murdered my son?"' | In a March 2012 interview with the Express, the actor recalled: "I went berserk. I wasn't in possession of my senses. I kicked open the doors of every pub in the street shouting 'Who knows who murdered my son?"' |
Mr Ellis was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen's University in 2008 for services to the performing arts. | Mr Ellis was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen's University in 2008 for services to the performing arts. |
Away from the acting profession, he was also a writer of poems and prose. | Away from the acting profession, he was also a writer of poems and prose. |
Although he had lived in England for decades, his family has said that, in line with his wishes, he will be buried in his home city. | Although he had lived in England for decades, his family has said that, in line with his wishes, he will be buried in his home city. |