Benjamin Patrick Aris (16 March 1937 – 4 September 2003) was an English actor who was best known for his parts in ''

Hi-de-Hi! ''Hi-de-Hi!'' is a BBC television sitcom shown on BBC1 from 1 January 1980 to 30 January 1988. Set in 1959 and 1960 in Maplins, a fictional holiday camp, the show was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, who also wrote '' Dad's Army'' a ...

'' and ''

To the Manor Born ''To the Manor Born'' is a BBC television sitcom that first aired on BBC1 from 1979 to 1981. A special one-off episode was produced in 2007. Starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, the first 20 episodes and the 2007 special were written ...

'', and was also very active on stage. He was often cast as an eccentric, upper-class or upper-middle class man.

Early career

Aris was born in London, and following the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, he trained at the Arts Educational School. At the age of 16, he joined a national tour of the show '' Zip Goes a Million''. He then did his

national service National service is the system of voluntary government service, usually military service. Conscription is mandatory national service. The term ''national service'' comes from the United Kingdom's National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939. The ...

in the

Army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

and after that appeared in many musicals and films including '' The Plague of the Zombies'', ''

The Charge of the Light Brigade The Charge of the Light Brigade was a failed military action involving the British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War. Lord Raglan had intended to s ...

'' and '' if....''. On stage, Aris was in the 1960 production of the revue " One Over The Eight" at the

Duke of York's Theatre The Duke of York's Theatre is a West End theatre in St Martin's Lane, in the City of Westminster, London. It was built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte, who retained ownership of the theatre until her death in 1935. Designed by t ...

in London. He also appeared in

Tony Richardson Cecil Antonio "Tony" Richardson (5 June 1928 – 14 November 1991) was an English theatre and film director and producer whose career spanned five decades. In 1964, he won the Academy Award for Best Director for the film '' Tom Jones''. Earl ...

's 1969 production of "Hamlet" at London's '' Roundhouse'', its

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

transfer to the

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, originally the Globe Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 205 West 46th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1910, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre was designed by Carrère and Hasti ...

, and also its

film version A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dial ...

the same year.

Film and television career

His first television role was in the children's series ''Jamie'' in 1971. He also appeared in '' Invasion of the Dinosaurs'', a 1974 '' Doctor Who'' serial. His other early television roles included ''

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC1, created and written by Raymond Allen (scriptwriter), Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. It was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for two series, inc ...

'', ''Sam and the River'' (1975), ''

Crown Court The Crown Court is the court of first instance of England and Wales responsible for hearing all indictable offences, some either way offences and appeals lied to it by the magistrates' courts. It is one of three Senior Courts of England and Wale ...

'', ''

Wodehouse Playhouse ''Wodehouse Playhouse'' is a British television comedy series based on the short stories of P. G. Wodehouse. From 1974 to 1978, a pilot and three series were made, with 21 half-hour episodes altogether in the entire series. The series has been ...

'' and ''

Target Target may refer to: Physical items * Shooting target, used in marksmanship training and various shooting sports ** Bullseye (target), the goal one for which one aims in many of these sports ** Aiming point, in field artillery, fi ...

''. During that time he also appeared in the films ''

Get Carter ''Get Carter'' is a 1971 British crime film written and directed by Mike Hodges in his directorial debut and starring Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, John Osborne, Britt Ekland and Bryan Mosley. Based on Ted Lewis's 1970 novel '' Jack's Retur ...

'', ''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight f ...

'', ''

Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World ''Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World'' is a 1973 British children's fantasy-adventure comedy film starring Jim Dale, and directed by Joseph McGrath. A large supporting cast of British movie stalwarts includes Spike Milligan, Angela Douglas, No ...

'' and ''

Juggernaut A juggernaut (), in current English usage, is a literal or metaphorical force regarded as merciless, destructive, and unstoppable. This English usage originated in the mid-nineteenth century and was adapted from the Sanskrit word Jagannath. ...

''. He also worked several times for director

Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films in the main were liberal adaptation ...

, in films ''

The Music Lovers ''The Music Lovers'' is a 1971 British drama film directed by Ken Russell and starring Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson. The screenplay by Melvyn Bragg, based on ''Beloved Friend'', a collection of personal correspondence edited by Cath ...

'', '' Savage Messiah'', and ''

Tommy Tommy may refer to: People * Tommy (given name) * Tommy Atkins, or just Tommy, a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Tommy'' (1931 film), a Soviet drama film * ''Tommy'' (1975 fil ...

'', and in TV's ''

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner ''The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'' (originally ''The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere'') is the longest major poem by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, written in 1797–1798 and published in 1798 in the first edition of ''Lyrical Ballad ...

'' and '' Lady Chatterley''. For three episodes, from 1980 to 1981, he played Mr Spalding in ''To the Manor Born'', and then in 1983, he portrayed Edmund Waller, one of Tom Lacey's friends at the court of Charles I, in ''

By the Sword Divided ''By the Sword Divided'' is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1983 and 1985. The series, created by John Hawkesworth, was a historical drama set during the mid-17th century, dealing with the impact of the English Civil War ...

.'' In 1984, he made his first appearance in ''Hi-de-Hi!'' as Julian Dalrymple-Sykes, a dancer. He became a regular in 1986 and played the part until the show's end in 1988. He also starred in '' Bergerac'', ''

Agatha Christie's Poirot ''Poirot'' (also known as ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'') is a British mystery drama television programme that aired on ITV from 8 January 1989 to 13 November 2013. David Suchet starred as the eponymous detective, Agatha Christie's fictional H ...

'', '' You Rang, M'Lord?'' and ''

Boon Boon may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Boon (game), a trick-taking card game * ''Boon'' (novel), a 1915 satirical work by H. G. Wells * ''Boon'' (TV series), a British television series starring Michael Elphick * The Ultimate Boon ...

''. As well as acting with

Penelope Keith Dame Penelope Anne Constance Keith, (née Hatfield; born 2 April 1940) is an English actress and presenter, active in film, radio, stage and television and primarily known for her roles in the British sitcoms ''The Good Life'' and '' To the Ma ...

in ''To the Manor Born'', he also appeared with her in '' Executive Stress'' and '' No Job for a Lady''.

Later years

One of most memorable stage performances was in the

West End West End most commonly refers to: * West End of London, an area of central London, England * West End theatre, a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London, England West End may also refer to: Pl ...

playing Geoffrey in '' Stepping Out'' by

Richard Harris Richard St John Francis Harris (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002) was an Irish actor and singer. He appeared on stage and in many films, notably as Corrado Zeller in Michelangelo Antonioni's '' Red Desert'', Frank Machin in '' This Sporting ...

. His final stage appearance was in ''The Lady in the Van'' by

Alan Bennett Alan Bennett (born 9 May 1934) is an English actor, author, playwright and screenwriter. Over his distinguished entertainment career he has received numerous awards and honours including two BAFTA Awards, four Laurence Olivier Awards, and two ...

, opposite

Dame Maggie Smith ''Dame'' is an honorific title and the feminine form of address for the honour of damehood in many Christian chivalric orders, as well as the British honours system and those of several other Commonwealth realms, such as Australia and New Zea ...

. His final TV appearance was in the 2002 drama ''Ready''. He died in Surrey in 2003 aged 66. His son

Jonathan Aris Jonathan Aris is a British actor who has appeared in films, television and the theatre. He has narrated three TV documentaries produced and aired by the National Geographic Channel, and appears as Philip Anderson in the BBC television series ...

followed him into acting.

Selected filmography

* ''

Tom Brown's Schooldays ''Tom Brown's School Days'' (sometimes written ''Tom Brown's Schooldays'', also published under the titles ''Tom Brown at Rugby'', ''School Days at Rugby'', and ''Tom Brown's School Days at Rugby'') is an 1857 novel by Thomas Hughes. The stor ...

'' (1951) - Tadpole (uncredited) * '' The Plague of the Zombies'' (1966) - John Martinus * ''

The Mini-Affair ''The Mini-Affair'' is a 1967 British romantic comedy film directed by Robert Amram, and starring Georgie Fame, Rosemary Nicols and John Clive. Music is provided by the Bee Gees. Plot summary A leading pop star is kidnapped in swinging Londo ...

'' (1967) - TV Producer * ''

'' (1968) - Lt. Maxse * '' if....'' (1968) - John Thomas: Staff * '' Lionheart'' (1968) - Capt. Harris * ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depi ...

'' (1969) - Rosencrantz * ''

Say Hello to Yesterday ''Say Hello to Yesterday'' is a 1971 British romantic comedy- drama film directed by Canadian Alvin Rakoff, on whose original story the film is based. Starring Jean Simmons and Leonard Whiting, it is 'a fast moving account of ten hours in the li ...

'' (1971) - Floor Walker (uncredited) * ''

'' (1970) - Young Lieutenant * ''

'' (1971) - Architect #2 * '' Savage Messiah'' (1972) - Thomas Buff * ''

O Lucky Man! ''O Lucky Man!'' is a 1973 British comedy-drama fantasy film directed by Lindsay Anderson, and starring Malcolm McDowell as Mick Travis, whom McDowell had first played as a disaffected public schoolboy in his first film performance in An ...

'' (1973) - Mr. MacIntyre / Dr. Hyder / Flight Lt. Wallace * ''

'' (1973) - Army Captain * ''

'' (1973) - 1st Musketeer * ''

'' (1974) - The Walker * '' Vampira'' (1974) - Policeman * ''Smokey Joe's Revenge'' (1974) - Mr. Fawcett * '' Alfie Darling'' (1975) - Advertising Man * ''

'' (1975) - Reverend Simpson * ''

Royal Flash ''Royal Flash'' is a 1970 novel by George MacDonald Fraser. It is the second of the Flashman novels. It was made into the film '' Royal Flash'' in 1975 and remains the only Flashman novel to be filmed. Plot summary ''Royal Flash'' is set durin ...

'' (1975) - Fireman * '' I'm Not Feeling Myself Tonight'' (1976) - Trampas B. Hildebrand * '' The Ritz'' (1976) - Patron With Bicycle * ''

Voyage of the Damned ''Voyage of the Damned'' is a 1976 drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg, with an all-star cast featuring Faye Dunaway, Oskar Werner, Lee Grant, Max von Sydow, James Mason, and Malcolm McDowell. The story was inspired by actual events conce ...

'' (1976) - German Jewish Passenger (uncredited) * '' Sir Henry at Rawlinson End'' (1980) - Lord Tarquin of Staines * '' Night Train to Murder'' (1983, TV Movie) - Theatre Manager * '' King of the Wind'' (1990) - Squire Dunn * '' U.F.O.'' (1993) - Doctor * '' Up at the Villa'' (2000) - Col. Trail * '' Relative Values'' (2000) - (uncredited) * ''Undertaker's Paradise'' (2000)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Aris, Ben 1937 births 2003 deaths People educated at the Arts Educational Schools English male film actors English male stage actors English male television actors Male actors from London