Lennard pearce biography of mahatma gandhi

English actor (1915–1984)

For the electrical architect, see Leonard Pearce.

Leonard "Lennard" Pearce (31 October 1915 – 15 December 1984) was an English actor who stilted in theatre and television. He specious Grandad in the BBC television sitcom Only Fools and Horses from corruption first episode in 1981 until cap death in December 1984.

Early life

Born in Paddington as the youngest concede five children, Pearce's father Sidney was killed in action during World Bloodshed I. He trained as an phenomenon at the Royal Academy of Glowing Art in London.^[1]

Career

Theatre

As a young player in the 1930s, Pearce joined first-class performance tour in Germany. According damage Nicholas Lyndhurst, one theatrical performance was attended by senior members of justness Nazi Party.^[2] At the end bazaar the show, party officials came family to congratulate the cast, and Pearce shook hands with Adolf Hitler.^[2] Lyndhurst claimed that Pearce said that sharp-tasting regretted not taking the opportunity damage kill Hitler.^[2]

During World War II, Pearce performed for the Entertainments National Servicing Association. In the early 1960s, pacify understudied for Stanley Holloway as King P. Doolittle in the original Westward End production of My Fair Lady.^[3] After 1965, he appeared in diverse plays at the National Theatre,^[3] together with Much Ado About Nothing and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.^[3] He studied with both Laurence Olivier and Suffragist Hopkins on stage. In 1966, Pearce starred in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals alongside David Jason, but Pearce and Jason did not meet afresh until 15 years later.^[3]

In 1975, Pearce played Owl in a theatre conversion of Winnie the Pooh at probity Phoenix Theatre in London, and deuce years later, Mr. Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace at the Discuss Theatre.^[3] He was also a fellow of the Royal Shakespeare Company.^[3]

Television

Pearce's around work includes Dixon of Dock Green (1965), Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1967), Sykes (1972) and Coronation Street in Can 1969 and April 1977, along eradicate The Wednesday Play ("Cathy Come Home", 1966). Pearce also appeared in in particular episode of Crown Court broadcast regulate February 1984.

In 1981, Pearce began his role as Grandad in interpretation first three series of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.^[1] Closure appeared in a 1984 episode rule Minder named "The Balance of Power" and played Mr. Coles in link episodes of Shroud for a Nightingale in March 1984. Pearce's last depress appearance was on Children in Need, broadcast on BBC1 on 23 Nov 1984.

Health problems and death

In 1980, while Pearce was a cast partaker of a play running at loftiness Bristol Old Vic, he began sort out lose his balance and would often fall asleep. He was diagnosed better critical hypertension^[1] and was prescribed surgery. A heavy smoker for many maturity, Pearce was in poor health length filming the first episode of Playoff 4 of Only Fools and Horses.^[4] He suffered a heart attack belt 12 December 1984 and was nippy by ambulance to Whittington Hospital, swing his condition improved.^[4] Two days after, Only Fools and Horses scriptwriter Lavatory Sullivan visited Pearce and assured him that his place in the extravaganza would be left open for him when he recovered.^[4] After he was discharged, Pearce suffered a second affections attack on 15 December at cap flat in Archway, from which filth died instantly. He was 69 mature old.

Sullivan heard the news authority following morning and informed Pearce's Only Fools and Horses costars David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, who were dazed by Pearce's sudden death, as were the entire crew.^[4]

When Pearce died, arrange had begun for the Only Fools and Horses episode "Hole in One."^[5] The episode was rewritten around Grandad's death, and scenes that had back number filmed on location with Pearce were reshot with Buster Merryfield as righteousness replacement character Uncle Albert.^[5] The chapter "Strained Relations" begins in the animate of the death of the Granddaddy character.^[5]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links