Jack May
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- April 23, 1922
- Died
- September 19, 1997
- Birthplace
- Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
Filmography
Without Air 1997
Actor
Willie's War 1994
as Grandfather
- More Children's Holiday Favourites
More Children's Holiday Favourites 1990
as Igor (voice)
- More Children's Summer Stories
More Children's Summer Stories 1989
as Igor (voice)
- Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2 1989
as Igor (voice)
- Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1 1989
as Igor/Giant (voice)
- Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Children's Favourites - Volume 1 1988
as Sea Rat (voice)
Hard Road 1988
as Psychiatrist
The Doctor and the Devils 1985
as Dr Stevens
The Shooting Party 1985
as Sir Harry Stamp
The Bounty 1984
as Prosecuting Captain
A Swarm in May 1983
as Mr. Ardent - the Headmaster
The Return of the Soldier 1983
as Brigadier General
- Friends and Other Lovers
Friends and Other Lovers 1981
as Mr. Franklyn
The Life and Times of David Lloyd George 1981
as Lord Runciman
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy 1981
as Garkbit (Head Waiter)
Whinfrey's Last Case 1979
as General Chapman
Henry VIII 1979
as Lord Chancellor
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution 1976
as Dr. Schultz
The Man Who Would Be King 1975
as District Commissioner
Soap Opera in Stockwell 1973
as Detective
Big Zapper 1973
as Jeremiah Horn
- The Breaking of Colonel Keyser
The Breaking of Colonel Keyser 1972
as Watts
The Yes Girls 1971
as King Reiter
Trog 1970
as Dr. Selbourne
Emma's Time 1970
as Emma's father
Goodbye, Mr. Chips 1969
as Price (uncredited)
Doctor Who: The Space Pirates 1969
as General Hermack
Night After Night After Night 1969
as Judge Lomax
A Twist of Sand 1968
as Inspector Seekert
How I Won the War 1967
as Toby
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1966
as Shopkeeper
- The Last Invasion
The Last Invasion 1966
Actor
Stranger in the Family 1965
as Evans
- In Search of Sierra Nine
In Search of Sierra Nine 1963
as Father Gabriel
A Prize of Arms 1962
as MO
Solo for Sparrow 1962
as Inspector Hudson
The Traitors 1962
as Burton
Two-Way Stretch 1960
as Prison Visitor (uncredited)
There Was a Crooked Man 1960
as Police Sergeant
The Professionals 1960
as Edwards
A Night to Remember 1958
as Steerage Passenger (uncredited)
The Silent Enemy 1958
as Navy Doctor
Cat Girl 1957
as Richard Johnson
The Men of Sherwood Forest 1954
Actor
The Gay Dog 1954
as Pub Customer
Trouble in Store 1953
as Bus Passenger (uncredited)
Behind the Headlines 1953
Actor
Pool of London 1951
as Sailor on the Dunbar (uncredited)
The Blue Lamp 1950
as Old Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
Saraband for Dead Lovers 1948
as Reveller
Brief Encounter 1945
as Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
Johnny Frenchman 1945
as Choir Member (uncredited)
This Happy Breed 1944
as Mourner
Deadlock 1943
as Postman
Millions Like Us 1943
as Old Man
The Gentle Sex 1943
as Postman (uncredited)
Credits from TMDB.