Brian Oulton

Who was Brian Oulton?

Brian Oulton was an English character actor.

Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, he made his acting debut in 1939 as a lead actor. During World War II he served in the army, and returned to acting playing character roles in 1946; he made a name for himself playing the same pompous character in numerous films, ranging from Last Holiday to Young Sherlock Holmes. Much of his film roles were in comedies, and he went on to appear in several Carry On films.

In 1969 he appeared as an eccentric psychic medium in Randall and Hopkirk in the episode "Never Trust a Ghost" and in 1971 a hypochondriac GP in Doctor at Large. He was also a stage actor and playwright, writing and starring in productions such as Births, Marriages and Deaths and For Entertainment Only. Brian Oulton's radio credits include the role of Cyril in the long-running children's favourite Just William. He also appeared in The Young Ones as Neil's dad.

Brian Oulton lived latterly in Stratford-upon-Avon and was married to the actress Peggy Thorpe-Bates, best known for her portrayal of the wife of Horace Rumpole in the first television series of John Mortimer's novels.