RIP John Inman.
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."
Oh, how sad. Inman was a truly talented man and actor, and his Mr. Humphries was fun to watch, the show was very funny. Prayers sent.
I loved that show. :-(
The Brit comedy is just about the only good reason to watch PBS, other than the nature features.
Apparently Inman's long-term partner Ron Lynch thought so. So he wasn't really just acting on the show.
A pantomime (or "panto") is a traditional Christmas time play, frequently a classic like Peter Pan or Cinderlla. It's played very broadly, with some minor innuendo for the adults that goes right over the heads of the kids.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantomime
The Dame is one of the stock characters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantomime_dame
"He's right behind you!!!"
pantomime dames ; could coulter say that?
I guess I should have watched it more often. I didn't get it the few times I tuned in but then it takes time for shows to grow on me (I never watched a full Seinfeld until "The Finale").
For that matter, I never watched Fawlty Towers, either, but I've heard that was funny too.
Love that show! My kids and I place bets before each episode as to what color Mrs. Slocombe's hair will be.
Never watched Fawlty Towers. Oh, man just thinking about that show makes me laugh. If you do watch the show, whatever you do, "don't talk about the war".
He was a wonderful character. But those teeth...a real testament to the British Health Care System. :-(
"Manuel,have you ever heard of the bubonic plague? It was very popular around here at one time"
Did you ever see Are You Being Served Again, where they brought them back 15 years later and moved them to the country.
Ah, yes, also called Grace and Favour for awhile. I heard that if the show had gone on, Mr. Humphries was actually gonna marry Mavis (the country girl who liked him).
Woman: Stand on something! We can't see you! Stand on something! Stand on a box!
Inman: You got stabbed in the what, dear?....... [long pause] ... oh, I knew me mother would follow me here ...
Got my photo taken with him, too -- they had a young lady doing Polaroids. 'Isn't she lovely? She's just been flashing away all night!'
I'm sure everyone in Heaven is in stitches today. Bless him.
Well, he can rest in peace for a job well done! He was a very funny character in a very funny show.
If you ever do watch it, keep your eyes on the hotel sign at the very beginning of the show. Someone always re-arranges the letters of "Fawlty Towers" to spell out the most awful things...
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