J. G. Devlin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids J.G. Devlin
Born	James Gerard Devlin (1907-10-08)8 October 1907 Belfast, Ireland
Died	17 October 1991(1991-10-17) (aged 84) Belfast, Northern Ireland
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1955–1991

James Gerard Devlin (born October 8, 1907 – died October 17, 1991) was a talented actor from Northern Ireland. He started his acting journey on stage in 1931. He was well-known for his work with the Ulster Group Theatre for many years.

Over a career that lasted almost sixty years, he appeared in many popular TV shows. These included Z-Cars, Dad's Army, The New Avengers, and Bread. He also had a special guest role in an episode of Steptoe and Son called "The Desperate Hours". The writers of Steptoe and Son even said he was almost chosen for a main role! His last TV appearance was as Father Dooley in the show Bread.

Early Life and Beginnings

James Devlin was born in Belfast, Ireland, on October 8, 1907. He was the oldest child of Edward Devlin, who was a labourer, and Isabella Hamill. James had three younger sisters named Rose, Kathleen, and Isabella.

He began his acting career on stage in 1931. He worked with the Ulster Group Theatre for a long time. In 1956, he performed in a play called "Light Falling" by Irish writer Teresa Deevy. He played the character of Pat Scully in this play.

Notable Roles in TV and Film

J.G. Devlin was a very busy actor, appearing in many TV shows and movies. He was known for playing different kinds of characters.

Appearing in Popular TV Shows

Devlin was a familiar face on British television. He played parts in several well-known series. For example, he was in Z-Cars, a police drama, and the classic comedy Dad's Army. He also appeared in The New Avengers, an action-adventure show.

One of his memorable roles was in Steptoe and Son. He guest starred in an episode called "The Desperate Hours". The show's writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, later shared that Devlin was their second choice for the main character, Albert Steptoe. His final TV role was as Father Dooley, a Catholic priest, in the comedy series Bread.

Film Appearances

Devlin also acted in many films throughout his career. His first film role was in Captain Lightfoot in 1955. He appeared in movies like Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959) and The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967). His final film was Far and Away in 1992.

Movies and TV Shows

Here are some of the movies and TV shows J.G. Devlin appeared in: