Posted on 03/08/2007 8:54:27 AM PST by rpage3
LONDON (Reuters) - Actor John Inman, best known for his role as camp shop assistant Mr Humphries in the long-running BBC comedy "Are You Being Served?" died aged 71 on Thursday.
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Inman, who later became a pantomime regular, was one of the sitcom's most memorable cast members and his catchphrase "I'm free" became part of popular culture.
In 1976, he was voted "Funniest Man On Television" by readers of TV Times magazine and was also named BBC TV's "Personality Of The Year."
He died at St Mary's Hospital in London after having been ill for some time, his manager Phil Dale said in a statement.
"John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served? was known and loved throughout the world," Dale said.
"He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain.
"John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed from London's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada and the USA."
Inman's long-term partner Ron Lynch was "devastated" at the news, the BBC said.
Actress Wendy Richard, who played Miss Brahms in "Are You Being Served?," said she had been regularly visiting Inman who had been seriously ill with Hepatitis A.
"You just have to regard it as being an end to his suffering," a tearful Richard told BBC radio.
"I think John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I have ever worked with. He was a brilliant, brilliant pantomime dame. He was a very good all round actor really."
Inman's character Mr Humphries attracted criticism at the height of the department store-based sitcom's success from some gay rights groups who were upset by what they saw as his portrayal of an over-the-top homosexual.
"He never ever said Mr Humphries was gay," Richard said. "He was just a young man who was very, very good to his mother."
Don't eat at salad bars............never, ever, forever............
Damn shame. Great character on a very funny show.
RIP
Oh man!
Sad news. I love that show.
Yea I know - someone here at my office did and got very bad food poisoning.
I think she passed away.
I take it that "Pantomime" is British for "drag show."
Apparently so; Mollie Sugden was born in 1922, and there are no death notices on her that I can find.
It's an English tradition to put on variety shows at Christmas time called pantomimes or "panto" for short, and the dame is one of the stock characters. It's a man playing a ridiculous heavily-made up older woman, kind of like Mimi from the Drew Carey Show.
Her "I am unanimous in this!" is part of my lexicon.
Happened to me once. Never will I touch greens again in a restaurant. At home, at least I can make sure they are washed thoroughly.............
I mostly remember her double entendre remarks about her.... um, cat.
Prayers up for a source of much laughter in my life. My husband travels quite a bit, and Are You Being Served is my DVD of choice for covering up house sounds as I fall asleep. Watched about three hours last night :(
If I remember right, he was married to Mrs. Slocum for an episode...for what that is worth. :)
Sounds like Mr Humphreys is Free, indeed!
If I remember right, he was married to Mrs. Slocum for an episode...for what that is worth. :)
Sounds like Mr Humphreys is Free, indeed!
1. the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.
2. a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.
3. significant gesture without speech.
4. an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.
He was hilarious- terrific show.
RIP, Mr. Inman.
ping
I think his portrayal of homosexuals was a lot more respectable than the behavior demonstrated by gay activists in their "Pride" parades.
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