Jimmy Thompson

Who was Jimmy Thompson?

James Edward "Jimmy" Thompson was an English actor, writer and director.

He was born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire and educated at St. Peter’s School in York. As a young man he began his career in repertory theatre in Yorkshire and he toured with a theatrical company headed by Jean Forbes-Robertson.

After his national service, he moved to London, and his early appearances on the West End stage were in intimate revue.

In 1956, he became known for his impersonation of the American pianist and entertainer, Liberace, in the revue, For Amusement Only, at the Apollo Theatre. Thompson was called in the 1959 libel action brought by the pianist against the Daily Mirror, and was himself subsequently sued by Liberace. Thompson settled out of court, making a donation to an actors’ charity.

In 1959, he and his wife, Nina, co-authored a musical comedy, The Quiz Kid, which was presented at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. In 1964, he starred in Monsieur Blaise at the Royal Court and Phoenix theatres, a play adapted by his wife from the Claude Magnier farce. In 1974, Thompson starred in The Englishman Amused at the Young Vic, a production which again he co-wrote with his wife.