Early life
Hewlett was born into a wealthy family; his father Thomas Hewlett was Conservative MP for Manchester Exchange (UK Parliament constituency), Manchester Exchange from 1940 to 1945 and owned the Anchor Chemical Company based in Clayton, Greater Manchester, Clayton, Manchester (now a subsidiary of Air Products and Chemicals). He was the brother of Thomas Hewlett, Baron Hewlett. Hewlett was educated at Clifton College in Bristol followed by St John's College, Cambridge, where he studied geography and meteorology and was part of the Footlights Revue, but volunteered for the RNVR early in World War II. He served in the Royal Navy as a lieutenant and meteorologist. and was stationed for several years in Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands where he was a founder member of the Kirkwall Arts Club. He was later assigned to the Royal Navy during North Atlantic action aboard the light cruisers Malaya and Galatea. He rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was subsequently posted to Singapore,Rob Cope, Mike Fury, ''You Rang M'Lord?'', DAAS, 35-36 in charge of Japanese POWs and as entertainment officer.Career
Following his Demobilisation, demob, rather than return to Cambridge University, Hewlett trained at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, RADA and gained his first professional acting job in repertory theatre at the Oxford Playhouse where he suggested the management should cast Ronnie Barker in his first, small, role. His first film acting role was the part of Lincoln Green in ''Orders Are Orders (1955 film), Orders are Orders'' (1954). His television appearances included ''The Ronnie Corbett Show'', ''The Ronnie Barker Playhouse'', ''The Saint (TV series), The Saint'', ''The Avengers (TV series), The Avengers'', ''The Dick Emery Show'' and the ''Doctor Who'' story ''The Claws of Axos'' (1971). However, he gained his most prominent role in the Croft and Perry sitcom ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–81) as Colonel Charles Reynolds. He was cast with Michael Knowles (actor), Michael Knowles in another David Croft sitcom, the sci-fi parody ''Come Back Mrs. Noah'' (1977–78), and later with the successful ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' (1988–93), as George, Lord Meldrum (a part written specially for him). Hewlett was cast with Knowles again for the BBC Radio series ''Anything Legal'' in 1984. Other roles included 'Winkworth' in ''Morris Minor's Marvellous Motors'' in 1989 and ''The Adventures of Brigadier Wellington-Bull''. His last TV appearance was in ''The Upper Hand'' in 1995. He appeared in several episodes of ''The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket'', playing the ship's captain when they embarked on a cruise. Hewlett also appeared in the episode "Hello Sailor" from the sitcom ''Happy Ever After (UK TV series), Happy Ever After'' in 1977 which starred Terry Scott and June Whitfield. Hewlett made a number of film appearances including Spike Milligan's ''Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (film), Adolf Hitler - My Part in His Downfall'', ''A Touch of Class (film), A Touch of Class'', ''Carry On Behind'' and ''The First Great Train Robbery''. Hewlett's previous marriages, to Christine Pollon and Diana Greenwood, ended in divorce. He had two sons and a daughter by Greenwood. Having previously lived for several years in Whitstable, Kent, he lived in Fulham, SW London, with his third wife Thérèse McMurray-Hewlett, by whom he had a son and daughter. His younger daughter, Siobhan Hewlett, is an actress, best known for her role in ''Irina Palm''.Death
Hewlett died on 4 June 2011 at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in West London aged 90.Filmography
Film
Television
References
External links
* 1920 births 2011 deaths Deaths from pneumonia in England English male film actors English male television actors Male actors from Manchester People from Whitstable Alumni of St John's College, Cambridge People educated at Clifton College Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Royal Navy officers of World War II Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II 20th-century English male actors Male actors from Kent {{Authority control