Arthur Treacher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Treacher
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Treacher in 1968
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| Born |
Arthur Veary Treacher
23 July 1894 Brighton, East Sussex, England
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| Died | 14 December 1975 (aged 81) Manhasset, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1926–1970 |
| Spouse(s) |
Virginia J. Taylor
(m. 1940) |
Arthur Veary Treacher (born July 23, 1894 – died December 14, 1975) was an English actor. He was famous for playing polite English characters, especially butlers and manservants. You might remember him as the kind butler in movies with Shirley Temple, like Curly Top (1935) and Heidi (1937).
In the 1960s, he became well-known on American television. He was an announcer and helper for talk show host Merv Griffin. He also played Constable Jones in the popular Disney movie Mary Poppins (1964). Later, a chain of Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips restaurants was named after him.
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Arthur Treacher's Early Life
Arthur Treacher was born in Brighton, England. His father was a lawyer. Arthur went to a school called Uppingham School.
During World War I, he served as an officer in the army. After the war, he started his acting career in England. In 1926, he moved to New York to perform in a musical show. In 1940, he married Virginia Taylor.
Becoming a Famous Actor
Arthur Treacher began his movie career in the 1930s. He appeared in four movies with the child star Shirley Temple. These included Curly Top (1935), Stowaway (1936), Heidi (1937), and The Little Princess (1939).
In these films, the tall (6' 4") Treacher often stood or danced next to the tiny Shirley Temple. For example, in The Little Princess, they sang and danced to a song called "Knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road."
Treacher was often chosen to play the perfect butler. He played the character Jeeves in the movies Thank You, Jeeves! (1936) and Step Lively, Jeeves! (1937). He also played a butler or valet in many other films.
In 1950, Treacher even had his own radio show in New York City. On the show, he played and talked about music by Gilbert and Sullivan.
Later Years and TV Fame
In the 1960s, Arthur Treacher became a familiar face on American television. He was a guest on many talk shows and game shows. In 1964, he played Constable Jones in the very successful Walt Disney movie Mary Poppins.
That same year, he appeared in two episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. He played a proper English butler named Arthur Pinckney. Pinckney thought the hillbillies were servants, while the hillbillies thought he was just a guest!
Arthur Treacher became even more famous when he joined Merv Griffin's talk show. From 1965 to 1970, he was the announcer and sometimes bantering partner on The Merv Griffin Show. He would introduce Griffin by saying, "...and now, here's the dear boy himself, Merrr-vyn!"
When Merv Griffin moved his show to Los Angeles, Treacher decided to stay in New York. He joked that he was too old to move, especially to a place that "shakes" (referring to earthquakes).
During this time, Treacher used his fame to start businesses. He lent his name and image to the Call Arthur Treacher Service System, which was a household help agency. He also lent his name to Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips restaurants. These restaurants became very popular in the 1970s, growing to almost 900 locations.
Arthur Treacher passed away on December 14, 1975, at the age of 81.
Film Highlights
Arthur Treacher appeared in many films throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include:
- Curly Top (1935)
- Thank You, Jeeves! (1936)
- Heidi (1937)
- The Little Princess (1939)
- Mary Poppins (1964)
