Graham William Stark (20 January 1922 – 29 October 2013) was an English comedian, actor, writer and director, known for his close, personal friendship with

Peter Sellers Peter Sellers (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an English actor and comedian. He first came to prominence performing in the BBC Radio comedy series ''The Goon Show''. Sellers featured on a number of hit comi ...

, appearance in several

The Pink Panther ''The Pink Panther'' is an American media franchise primarily focusing on a series of comedy-mystery films featuring an inept French police detective, Inspector Clouseau, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The franchise began with the release of the fil ...

films and Victor/Victoria.Obituary: Graham Stark
telegraph.co.uk, 31 October 2013

Early life

The son of a purser on transatlantic liners,
telegraph.co.uk, 31 October 2013 Stark was born in New BrightonRobert Seller
"Graham Stark: Actor, author and director who graduated from music hall to the big screen"
''The Independent'', 31 October 2013 (part of

Wallasey Wallasey () is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside, England. It is at the mouth of the River Mersey, on the north-eastern corner of the Wirral Peninsula. It lies within the Historic counties of England, historic county bou ...

) in Wirral,

Cheshire Cheshire ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Merseyside to the north-west, Greater Manchester to the north-east, Derbyshire to the east, Staffordshire to the south-east, and Shrop ...

, England. He attended Wallasey Grammar School and made his professional stage debut aged 13 in pantomime at the Lyceum Theatre in London. During the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

he served in 334 company of the BEF in Salonika, Greece, where he was a

turner Turner may refer to: People and fictional characters * Turner (surname), a common surname, including a list of people and fictional characters with the name * Turner (given name), a list of people with the given name *One who uses a lathe for tur ...

in group workshops.Michael Covene
"Graham Stark obituary"
''The Guardian'', 31 October 2013 While there he first met Dick Emery, Tony Hancock and

, the latter two as fellow members of Ralph Reader's Gang Shows. Sellers would become a long-lasting close friend. With the Gang Shows, Stark toured the locations where military personnel were seeing active service. After the war he studied at the

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also known by its abbreviation RADA (), is a drama school in London, England, which provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in Bloomsbury, Central London ...

,Cheryl Mulli
Graham Stark Obituary
''Reading Post'', 30 October 2013 and joined the regulars at Grafton's, a pub in Victoria run by Jimmy Grafton, a venue at which soon-to-be-prominent entertainers of the next few decades regularly gathered.

Career

Stark began to work on

BBC Radio BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927. The service provides national radio stations cove ...

in the postwar years, helped by Tony Hancock's connections, making his debut in ''Happy Go Lucky'' and going on to '' Ray's a Laugh'', thanks to the intervention of Sellers. For a time, Stark was a regular in '' Educating Archie'', and substituted for

Spike Milligan Terence Alan "Spike" Milligan (16 April 1918 – 27 February 2002) was an Irish comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright and actor. The son of an English mother and Irish father, he was born in British Raj, British India, where he spent his ...

on '' The Goon Show'' (a)pp. 159–160, (c)pp. 203–204 when the comedian was ill. Stark was a regular supporting player on TV with Sellers in '' A Show Called Fred'' and '' Son of Fred'', and with

Benny Hill Alfred Hawthorne "Benny" Hill (21 January 1924 – 18 April 1992) was an English comedian, actor and scriptwriter. He is best remembered for his television programme, ''The Benny Hill Show'', a comedy-variety show whose amalgam of slapstick, bu ...

. Stark's profile was sufficient for him to gain his own, albeit short-lived, sketch series, ''The Graham Stark Show'' (BBC 1964). Now entirely lost, it was scripted by Johnny Speight with each episode featuring a different group of supporting actors, including

Deryck Guyler Deryck Bower Guyler (29 April 1914 – 7 October 1999) was an English actor, best remembered for appearances in sitcoms such as ''Please Sir!'' and ''Sykes (TV series), Sykes''. Early life Guyler was born in Wallasey on the Wirral Peninsula, C ...

, Arthur Mullard, Derek Nimmo, Patricia Hayes and Warren Mitchell. An episode of '' Till Death Us Do Part'', called "In Sickness and in Health", 1967, where Stark plays decrepit Dr. Kelly, survives. In 1970 Stark was given his own radio sketch show, entitled ''Stark Raving''. It was broadcast on

BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the List of most-listened-to radio programs, most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 14 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the sta ...

and consisted of a single series of six episodes. Adept at comic French accents, Stark stole scenes as a hapless

gendarme A gendarmerie () is a paramilitary or military force with law enforcement duties among the civilian population. The term ''gendarme'' () is derived from the medieval French expression ', which translates to "men-at-arms" (). In France and som ...

Hammer A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nail (fastener), nails into wood, to sh ...

's 1961 comedy '' A Weekend with Lulu''. He became a regular performer in the '' Pink Panther'' film series. His first role in the series was as Hercule Lajoy, Inspector Clouseau's stonefaced assistant, in '' A Shot in the Dark'' (1964). Along with Herbert Lom and Burt Kwouk, he appeared in more ''Pink Panther'' films than any other actor, playing a variety of characters, including reprising Lajoy in '' Trail of the Pink Panther'' (1982) and twice playing Dr Auguste Balls (in '' Revenge of the Pink Panther'', 1978; and '' Son of the Pink Panther'', 1993). He was cast as the hotel clerk in the "Does your dog bite" scene in '' The Pink Panther Strikes Again''. Stark, as well as Lom and Kwouk, each appeared in seven titles from the series. In the film '' Alfie'' (1966), Stark was Humphrey, a timid bus conductor who takes on a woman ( Julia Foster) and her child when the title character (played by

Michael Caine Sir Michael Caine (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, 14 March 1933) is a retired English actor. Known for his distinct Cockney accent, he has appeared in more than 160 films over Michael Caine filmography, a career that spanned eight decades an ...

) refuses commitment. He also played the role of Lord Fortnum's physician, Captain Pontius Kak, in the original stage play of '' The Bedsitting Room'', which opened at the Mermaid Theatre on 31 January 1963.Milligan, Spike, & Antrobus, John (1973) ''The Bedsitting Room''. Tandem: London. First published in Great Britain by Margaret & Jack Hobbs, 1970. Published by Universal-Tandem, 1972. p. 158. McCann cites the physician's name as Captain Martin. This is possible. There appears to have been variation in names used, certainly between the play and the film, and possibly during the life of the play. Following the sudden death of James Beck in 1973, Stark took over the role of Private Joe Walker for the remainder of episodes in the first series of the radio adaptation of ''

Dad's Army ''Dad's Army'' is a British television British sitcom, sitcom about the United Kingdom's Home Guard (United Kingdom), Home Guard during the World War II, Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (TV producer), David Crof ...

''. In 1982, Stark appeared in a cameo role as a butler, alongside Dandy Nichols, in the music video for Adam Ant's UK No. 1 hit " Goody Two Shoes". He played the character of Mr Nadget in the 1994 BBC adaptation of ''

Martin Chuzzlewit ''The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit'' (commonly known as ''Martin Chuzzlewit'') is a novel by English author Charles Dickens, considered the last of his picaresque novels. It was originally serialised between January 1843 and July 1 ...

''.

Personal life

In 1959 he married Audrey Nicholson, who survived him with their two sons and a daughter.

was their godfather. Christiane Kubrick is their godmother. Stark was also an accomplished stills photographer. He was the last known performer to have appeared on '' The Goon Show'' during its original run. In 2003 he published an

autobiography An autobiography, sometimes informally called an autobio, is a self-written account of one's own life, providing a personal narrative that reflects on the author's experiences, memories, and insights. This genre allows individuals to share thei ...

, ''Stark Naked''. He associated with people such as

Blake Edwards Blake Edwards (born William Blake Crump; July 26, 1922 – December 15, 2010) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Edwards began his career in the 1940s as an actor, but he soon began writing screenplays and radio scripts ...

Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over eight decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...

Yul Brynner Yuliy Borisovich Briner (; July 11, 1920 – October 10, 1985), known professionally as Yul Brynner (), was a Russian-born actor. He was known for his portrayal of King Mongkut in the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical ''The King and I'' (19 ...

, Julie Christie,

Stanley Kubrick Stanley Kubrick (; July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) was an American filmmaker and photographer. Widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Stanley Kubrick filmography, his films were nearly all adaptations of novels or sho ...

, Sidney Poitier, Jack Palance, Kim Basinger,

Sean Connery Sir Thomas Sean Connery (25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to Portrayal of James Bond in film, portray the fictional British secret agent James Bond (literary character), James Bond in motion pic ...

, Tony Curtis, and

Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, us ...

. He died in London on 29 October 2013 at age 91, after suffering a stroke..

Filmography as actor

*'' The Spy in Black'' (1939) as Bell Boy (uncredited) *''Ça c'est du cinéma'' (1951) (voice, uncredited) *'' Emergency Call'' (1952) as Posh Charlie *'' Down Among the Z Men'' (1952) as Spider *'' Forces' Sweetheart'' (1953) as Simmonds *''

Flannelfoot ''Flannelfoot'' is a 1953 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Ronald Howard, Mary Germaine and Jack Watling. It was written by Carl Heck and Jack Henry, and made at Walton Studios. The film's sets ...

'' (1953) as Ginger *'' The Super Secret Service'' as Carstairs *'' Johnny on the Spot'' (1954) as Stevie *'' The Sea Shall Not Have Them'' (1954) as Corporal (uncredited) *'' One Good Turn'' (1955) as Boxing Competitor (uncredited) *''They Never Learn'' (1956) as Plum *'' The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film'' (1959) (uncredited) *'' Inn for Trouble'' (1960) as Charlie (Driver) *'' Sink the Bismarck!'' (1960) as Petty Officer Williams (uncredited) *'' The Millionairess'' (1960) as Butler *'' A Weekend with Lulu'' (1961) as Chiron *'' Double Bunk'' (1961) as Flowerman *'' Dentist on the Job'' (1961) as Sourfaced Man *'' Watch It, Sailor!'' (1961) as Carnoustie Bligh *'' On the Fiddle'' (1961) as Sgt. Ellis *'' Only Two Can Play'' (1962) as Hyman *''

Operation Snatch ''Operation Snatch'' (also known as ''Top Secret'' ) is a 1962 British comedy film starring Terry-Thomas and George Sanders and directed by Robert Day (director), Robert Day. It was written by Alan Hackney, Len Heath and John Warren (actor), ...

'' (1962) as Soldier *'' A Pair of Briefs'' (1962) as Police Witness *'' Village of Daughters'' (1962) as Postman *'' She'll Have to Go'' (1962) as Arnold *'' The Wrong Arm of the Law'' (1963) as Sid Cooper *''

The Mouse on the Moon ''The Mouse on the Moon'' is a 1963 British comedy film, the sequel to ''The Mouse That Roared (film), The Mouse That Roared''. It is an adaptation of the 1962 novel ''The Mouse on the Moon (novel), The Mouse on the Moon'' by Irish author Leona ...

'' (1963) as Standard Bearer *'' Lancelot and Guinevere'' (1963) as Rian *'' Strictly for the Birds'' (1963) as Hartley *'' Ladies Who Do'' (1963) as Foreman *'' Becket'' (1964) as Pope's Secretary (uncredited) *'' A Shot in the Dark'' (1964) as Hercule Lajoy *'' Guns at Batasi'' (1964) as Sgt. 'Dodger' Brown *'' Go Kart Go'' (1964) as Policeman *'' Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines'' (1965) as Fireman *'' San Ferry Ann'' (1965) as Gendarme *'' You Must Be Joking!'' (1965) as McGregor's friend *'' Runaway Railway'' (1965) as Grample *'' Alfie'' (1966) as Humphrey *'' The Wrong Box'' (1966) as Ian Scott Fife *'' Finders Keepers'' (1966) as Burke *'' Casino Royale'' (1967) as Cashier *'' Rocket to the Moon'' (1967) as Grundle *'' The Plank'' (1967) as Amorous Van Driver (Harry Nichols) *''

A Ghost of a Chance , also known as ''Once In a Blue Moon'' in Japan, is a 2011 Japanese comedy mystery film directed by Kōki Mitani. Plot Emi Hosho, a third-rate lawyer without much of a future, is tasked with defending Goro Yabe, a man arrested for the murder of ...

'' (1968) as Thomas Dogood *'' Salt and Pepper'' (1968) as Sgt. Walters *'' The Picasso Summer'' (1969) as Postman *'' The Magic Christian'' (1969) as Waiter *'' Rhubarb'' (1969) as Golf Pro. Rhubarb *'' Start the Revolution Without Me'' (1970) as Andre Coupe *'' Doctor in Trouble'' (1970) as Satterjee *'' Scramble'' (1970) (uncredited) *'' Simon, Simon'' (1970) as 1st Workman *'' The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins'' (1971) as Guest Appearance (segment "Sloth") (uncredited) *'' Hide and Seek'' (1972) as Milkman *'' A Day at the Beach'' (1972) as Pipi *'' Not Now, Darling'' (1973) as Painter (uncredited) *'' Secrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman'' (1973) as Charlie Vincent *'' Where's Johnny?'' (1974) as Professor Graham *'' The Return of the Pink Panther'' (1975) as Pepi *'' I'm Not Feeling Myself Tonight'' (1976) as Hotel M.C. *'' Pure as a Lily'' (1976) as Detective Mike *'' The Pink Panther Strikes Again'' (1976) as Hotel Clerk *''

Gulliver's Travels ''Gulliver's Travels'', originally titled ''Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships'', is a 1726 prose satire by the Anglo-Irish writer and clerg ...

'' (1977) (voice) *'' Hardcore'' (1977) as Inspector Flaubert *'' The Prince and the Pauper'' (1977) as Jester *'' Let's Get Laid'' (1978) as Inspector Nugent *'' What's Up Nurse!'' (1978) as Carthew *'' Revenge of the Pink Panther'' (1978) as Professor Auguste Balls *'' The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1979) as Erik *'' Le Pétomane'' (1979) as Defence Counsel *'' There Goes the Bride'' (1980) as Bernardo Rossi, Headwaiter *'' The Sea Wolves'' (1980) as Manners *'' Hawk the Slayer'' (1980) as Sparrow *'' Victor/Victoria'' (1982) as Waiter *'' Trail of the Pink Panther'' (1982) as Hercule Lajoy *'' Superman III'' (1983) as Blind Man *'' Curse of the Pink Panther'' (1983) as Bored Waiter *'' Bloodbath at the House of Death'' (1984) as Blind Man *'' Blind Date'' (1987) as Jordan the Butler *'' Jane and the Lost City'' (1987) as Tombs *'' Son of the Pink Panther'' (1993) as Professor Auguste Balls *'' The Incredible Adventures of Marco Polo'' (1998) as Old King

References

External links

* *
Article by Roger Lewis
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stark, Graham 1922 births 2013 deaths English male comedians English male film actors English male television actors Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Male actors from Wallasey English autobiographers Comedians from Cheshire