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."
Only one or 2 episodes. Then for some reason our PBS stopped showing them, at least when I could watch them (my pre-vcr days). Was it as good as the original? I can't imagine it wasn't, considering the cast...
Les Nessman's mom, or Humphries' mom in the series would be the closest approximation of Dames for American understanding.
Long John Silver: "Arrrrrrrrrrrrr!"
If so, still hats off to him for having a sense of humor about it!
Anyone ever see a gem called "The Good Life" or here in the US (because of a copyright conflict) "Good Neighbors"? That was my all-time favorite BritCom, largely due to the main lead actress, who was cute as a brightly shined button. (Felcity someone?)
Hepatitis is a common disease with homosexuals. I don't think eating was the issue.
Study Yes, Prime Minister to better understand liberals *and* government.
Study Fawlty Towers to better understand every bad boss you've had to work for.
She was quite a hottie. A quick Google image search shows the years have not been kind.
Wendy Richard (Miss Brahms) has been on the cast of EastEnders since that show's first season in the 80s.
I remember her saying that the cast receives nothing from all of the AYBS broadcasts that are shown in the United States. Too bad.
Absolutely Fabulous
Are You Being Served?
Blackadder
Fawlty Towers
Keeping Up Appearances
Men Behaving Badly
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Yes Minister
I am sure even Hyacinth Bucket would approve!
The show wouldn't have been nearly as funny if it weren't for him.
The way that PBS would keep bringing the cast back to shill for them at pledge time was creepy, though.
In the future that will be done by clones, or robots, or holograms that never age.
Basil Fawlty
Manuel
Jeff Murdoch (Coupling)
FWIW the NBC version of The Office is one of those rare britcoms remakes that works. If you haven't seen it, I recommend checking it out.
I have the entire set on CD...they didn't make that many, only 9 episodes. The CD set has great interviews with John Cleese and he describes the various plots and the characters and what went into the production. They were mostly written by Cleese and his wife who plays Polly in the series. Very funny...Cleese at his best.
John Inman was the English equalivent of Don Knotts IMO. I loved his saucy portrayal of Mr. Humphries on AYBS - especially the get-ups he would wear on some of the episodes. I still watch AYBS every Saturday night on PBS.
My 12 year old daughter thinks he's hysterical - she's gonna be sad when I tell her the news...
RIP John. Thanks for all the laughs!
I am so sad. :( We just bought our second set of Are You Being Served DVDs a couple of weeks ago. He is my favorite character on the show, too!
You are free, Mr. Humphries. Rest in Peace.
Heck, I should just go to Youtube. I bet they've got some clips there.
My mom falls asleep to her Are You Being Served DVD every night! It always makes me smile when I get up in the middle of the night and pass by her room to hear the DVD menu repeating itself over and over again, with that music! :)
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