John Bird (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Bird
Born	John Michael Bird (1936-11-22)22 November 1936 Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, England
Died	24 December 2022(2022-12-24) (aged 86) Midhurst, West Sussex, England
Alma mater	King's College, Cambridge
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1962–2017
Spouse(s)	Ann Stockdale ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1970)​ Bridget Simpson ​ ​ (m. 1975; div. 1978)​ Libby Crandon ​ (died 2012)​

John Michael Bird (born 22 November 1936, died 24 December 2022) was a talented English actor, director, writer, and satirist. He became well-known during the 1960s for his roles in TV shows that made fun of current events and politics, like That Was the Week That Was.

John Bird often worked with his friend John Fortune on many TV projects. His acting career lasted over 55 years, covering films, television, theatre, and radio. He appeared in movies such as Take A Girl Like You (1970) and Jabberwocky (1977). On TV, he was in shows like Joint Account, Marmalade Atkins, El C.I.D., and Chambers. He was also a key part of the popular show Bremner, Bird and Fortune (1999–2010) on Channel 4, which was nominated for BAFTA TV Awards.

John Bird's Early Life and Education

John Michael Bird was born in Bulwell, a town in Nottingham, England. His father owned a small chemist's shop there.

When he was younger, John didn't pass his "11-plus" exam, which decided which secondary school students would attend. However, his headmaster helped him transfer to High Pavement Grammar School when he was 12. In 1956, he passed the entrance exam for King’s College, Cambridge. He studied English literature and continued his studies there, focusing on European drama.

John Bird's Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in the 1960s and 1970s

While studying at Cambridge, John Bird met another student named John Fortune. In the 1960s, a new type of TV show became popular, which used humor to comment on politics and society. John Bird was a big part of this. He appeared in That Was the Week That Was (1962–1963), and he even came up with the show's famous title! He also appeared in other TV shows like Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life (1964–1965) and If It Moves File It (1970).

John Bird took on both serious and funny roles in many TV series and films. Some of his films include A Dandy in Aspic (1968), Take A Girl Like You (1970), and Jabberwocky (1977). He also worked as a stage director, writer, and actor. He directed a play called The Naming of Murderers’ Rock in London in 1960. He performed in Alice in Wonderland from 1966 to 1967. His theatre work continued into the 1970s, including his appearance in Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett in 1973.

In the 1970s, John Bird also starred on a comedy album called The Collected Broadcasts of Idi Amin. In 1975, he played Mr. Rembrandt in a TV comedy called The Melting Pot, but only one episode was shown. In 1979, he played a nervous character named Raymond in Dennis Potter's play Blue Remembered Hills.

TV Roles in the 1980s

In 1980, John Bird appeared in The Dangerous Brothers. From 1981 to 1984, he became known to younger audiences by playing Mr. Humphrey Atkins, the mischievous father of Marmalade Atkins (played by Charlotte Coleman) in a children's TV show.

In 1982, he played the Duke of Albany in the BBC Television Shakespeare production of King Lear. He also appeared in the Granada TV series Travelling Man in 1984. From 1986 to 1988, he starred as Ernest Hemmingway, a university vice chancellor, in A Very Peculiar Practice. In 1988, he played the director of the Royal National Theatre in an episode of the BBC comedy Yes, Prime Minister. From 1989 to 1990, he starred opposite Hannah Gordon in the sitcom Joint Account, which was set in a bank.

Later Career: 1990 to 2017

From 1990 to 1992, John Bird starred in 18 episodes of the detective series El C.I.D., which was filmed in Spain. This was a serious drama, not a comedy, and also starred Alfred Molina and Amanda Redman. In 1993, he played Professor Plum in the fourth series of Cluedo and appeared in the political drama To Play the King. He also made a guest appearance in the Sooty & Co. episode "Voice Problems".

From 1996 to 1999, John Bird starred as barrister John Fuller-Carp in the BBC radio and TV comedy Chambers. He also starred in the BBC Radio 4 and BBC Two series Absolute Power with Stephen Fry. He made guest appearances in two TV series by writer David Renwick: Jonathan Creek and One Foot in the Grave.

John Bird worked with John Fortune and Rory Bremner on the Channel 4 sketch comedy show Bremner, Bird and Fortune. This show was nominated for BAFTA TV Awards. In a popular part of the show, known as "The Long Johns," one of them would interview the other, who played a senior figure like a politician or a businessman. John Bird's final TV appearance was in an episode of Midsomer Murders in 2017.

John Bird's Personal Life and Passing

John Bird was married to Ann Stockdale from 1965 to 1970. He later married TV presenter Bridget Simpson in 1975.

After 1978, John Bird lived with concert pianist and teacher Libby Crandon, and they later married. He became a stepfather to her two sons from a previous marriage. Libby Crandon passed away in 2012.

John Bird died on 24 December 2022, at the age of 86, due to complications from a stroke. He passed away at a care home in Midhurst, West Sussex.

Selected Acting Credits

• Source:John Bird at British Film Institute

Film Appearances

Television Shows

Theatre Performances

Radio Work

• Chambers (1996–9)
• Absolute Power (2000–6)
• Desolation Jests (2016)