John Comer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Comer
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| Born | 1 March 1924 Stretford, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 11 February 1984 (aged 59) Blackpool, Lancashire, England
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| Resting place | Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery, Carleton, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1941–1984 |
John Comer (born March 1, 1924 – died February 11, 1984) was a funny British actor. He was famous for playing different characters on TV. You might know him as Mr. Birtles, a taxi driver, or Wilf Jones in Coronation Street. He also played Ernie Shuttleworth in Emmerdale Farm, Les Brandon in I Didn't Know You Cared, and the cafe owner Sid in Last of the Summer Wine.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Acting
John Comer was born and grew up in Stretford, Lancashire, England. When he was young, he started an engineering apprenticeship. This meant he learned a trade at a company called Metropolitan-Vickers.
Starting a Comedy Career
In the 1930s and 1940s, John began performing comedy shows. He would entertain people in local social clubs and pubs. In 1952, he teamed up with his younger brother, Tony. They performed in a children's play for schools in Stretford.
The Comer Brothers Duo
After their children's play, John and Tony formed a comedy team. They called themselves the Comer Brothers. By 1957, they had a regular show at the Manchester Apollo theatre. Their act was a variety show called "Comer's Cottage."
In 1958, the Comer Brothers appeared on a TV talent show. It was called Bid for Fame. They also started working for Butlin's, a popular holiday resort. In 1959, they won first prize in the Butlin's National Talent Contest. This big win gave them £1,000 and a movie contract!
Becoming a Star
In 1959, the Boulting brothers, who were famous filmmakers, cast John and Tony in their movie I'm All Right Jack. They acted alongside big stars like Peter Sellers and Richard Attenborough. John and Tony played characters who were trade union shop stewards.
More Film Roles
Their next movie roles came in 1961. They appeared with Rita Tushingham in the film A Taste of Honey. Soon after, Tony decided to leave acting. He went back to working full-time at Metropolitan-Vickers. But John decided to keep acting in movies.
He appeared in another Boulting Brothers film in 1967. It was called The Family Way. In this movie, he played the father of the bride. His daughter's character was played by Hayley Mills.
Famous TV Roles
In 1973, John Comer got a regular role in a new BBC comedy show. This was Last of the Summer Wine. He played Sid, the cafe owner, who was a main supporting character. He also appeared in many TV commercials for Home Brew Beer.
In 1977, he played Bill Malley in the BBC series Murder Most English. John also appeared in an episode of All Creatures Great and Small in 1978. The episode was called "The Name of the Game."
Later Life and Legacy
John Comer sadly passed away in 1984. He was 59 years old. He had throat cancer. In his last TV appearance as Sid in Last of the Summer Wine, his voice was affected. Another actor, Tony Melody, had to speak his lines for him.
His funeral was held in Carleton, Lancashire. He is remembered there at rose-bed no. 18. After his wife, Mollie, passed away in 2010, his family made a kind donation. In 2013, the Comer family gave £245,000 to the hospice in Blackpool. This was the place where John Comer was cared for before he died.
Film and Television Appearances
John Comer had many roles in both movies and TV shows throughout his career.
Selected Film Roles
- 1959 – I'm Alright Jack as a Union Shop Steward
- 1961 – A Taste of Honey as a Man in the crowd (uncredited)
- 1966 – The Family Way as Leslie Piper
- 1969 – Battle of Britain as a Policeman (uncredited)
- 1970 – There's a Girl in My Soup as John, the porter
- 1973 – The Lovers! as Geoffrey's Dad
Selected Television Roles
- 1962-1968 – Coronation Street in various roles (Mr. Birtles, Taxi Driver, Wilf Jones)
- 1969 – The Avengers as Sergeant Groom
- 1973-1983 – Last of the Summer Wine as Sid
- 1975 – Emmerdale Farm as Ernie Shuttleworth (3 episodes)
- 1975-1979 – I Didn't Know You Cared as Les Brandon
- 1977 – Murder Most English as a police sergeant
- 1978 – All Creatures Great and Small as Mr. Dimmock
