Jack May | WatchedThis

Jack May

Jack May

Acting

Biography

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 Movies

Acting

Poster for The Man Who Would Be King
MOVIE

The Man Who Would Be King

7.5(0.7K)
The Man Who Would Be King
District Commissioner
Poster for The Doctor and the Devils
MOVIE

The Doctor and the Devils

6.2(0.1K)
The Doctor and the Devils
Dr Stevens
Poster for Brief Encounter
MOVIE

Brief Encounter

7.7(0.7K)
Brief Encounter
Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
Poster for The Bounty
MOVIE

The Bounty

6.7(0.6K)
The Bounty
Prosecuting Captain
Poster for The Men of Sherwood Forest
MOVIE

The Men of Sherwood Forest

6.9(0.0K)
The Men of Sherwood Forest
Poster for The Gentle Sex
MOVIE

The Gentle Sex

7.0(0.0K)
The Gentle Sex
Postman (uncredited)
Poster for Emma's Time
MOVIE

Emma's Time

Emma's Time
Emma's father
Poster for The Professionals
MOVIE

The Professionals

5.5(0.0K)
The Professionals
Edwards
Poster for There Was a Crooked Man
MOVIE

There Was a Crooked Man

6.6(0.0K)
There Was a Crooked Man
Police Sergeant
Poster for A Night to Remember
MOVIE

A Night to Remember

7.7(0.3K)
A Night to Remember
Steerage Passenger (uncredited)

Gallery

Jack May portrait