James Elliott (actor)

James Campbell Elliott (11 June 1928 – 12 February 2011) alternately James Eliott and Elliot James, was a Scottish-born Australian radio, theatre, television and film actor. Elliott was best known as an original character in the 1970s television soap opera ''Number 96'' as Alf Sutcliffe opposite co-star Elisabeth Kirkby who played his wife Lucy Sutcliffe.

Biography

James Campbell Elliott was born in Glasgow, Scotland the second of 5 children to John Elliott and Katherine Campbell, and grew up in the Kelvinbridge area.

He emigrated from Scotland to Australia in December 1949, and took parts in radio plays and serials, and made several guesting parts in drama series including '' Consider Your Verdict'' and ''The Link Men'' and played Guildenstern in an ABC TV play of ''Hamlet'', this being the first Shakespearean drama produced for Australian television. Other Shakespearean roles include Capulet in a theatre version ''Romeo and Juliet'' and a supporting role again at the ABC in ''The Tempest.

Elliot appeared in a role in the feature film of ''Ned Kelly'' in 1970 which starred Mick Jagger in the title role

Elliott was an original cast member of television soap opera ''Number 96'' as Alf Sutcliffe, which in premiered March 1972. The show became Australia's highest-rated television program in 1973 and 1974. Alf and his wife Lucy (Elisabeth Kirkby) were immigrants from Yorkshire, England and Alf was presented as an archetypal "whingeing Pom" who complained constantly about Australia and longing to return back to his native England, while proving himself incapable of holding down a regular job. The Sutcliffe's also endured Lucy's series of dramatic health concerns which included a breast cancer scare, blindness, and an unplanned pregnancy followed by a troubled birth, Alf however proved to be somewhat kind and understanding. In late 1973 the show had a feature film spin-off featuring much of the show's current cast, including both Elliott and Kirkby, reprising their television roles.

Despite once describing the serial as "instant television", Elliott played in ''Number 96'' continuously for almost four years. In October 1975 Alf and Lucy were written out of ''Number 96'' as part of a drastic remodelling of the show in the wake of declining ratings.

Elliott subsequently made guest appearances on Australian drama series such as ''Solo One'' (1976), ''Glenview High'' (1977), '' Chopper Squad'' (1978), played in three episodes of legal drama ''Case for the Defence'' (1978), and later appeared in an episode of crime drama '' Bellamy'' (1981). He also acted in feature films '' Summer City'' (1977), ''Money Movers'' (1978), '' Little Boy Lost'' (1978), '' Lady Stay Dead'' (1981), ''Brothers'' (1982).

His acting career was put on hold, when he tookma position as a tipstaff from 1982 and 1999

Later resuming his performing career he appeared in television guest appearances in series including ''Home and Away'' credited as Elliot James and three episodes of medical drama '' All Saints'', in 2001 and 2003, and featured in film ''Running with the Boys''. in 2008.

Personal life

James Elliott died peacefully from Dementia with Lewy bodies disease on 12 February 2011. He was survived by two sons Greg and Doug with his first wife Mary McDonald whom he married in 1959, and one son James Elliott Jnr. by his second wife Elaine Minchin whom he married in 1980. He was honoured in the "In memorial" section of the Logie Awards in 2012

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, James
1928 births
2011 deaths
Australian male stage actors
Australian male television actors
Scottish emigrants to Australia
Male actors from Glasgow
Deaths from dementia in Australia
Deaths from Lewy body dementia