Johnny Briggs (actor) facts for kids

John Ernest Briggs was an English actor. He was born on September 5, 1935, and passed away on February 28, 2021.

He was best known for playing the character Mike Baldwin in the popular British TV show Coronation Street. Johnny Briggs was on the show for 30 years, from 1976 to 2006.

Early Life and Training

Johnny Briggs was born in Battersea, a part of south-west London. His father worked as a master carpenter.

During World War II, when London was heavily bombed in an event called the Blitz, Johnny was sent away from the city for safety.

When he was 12 years old, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to train at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, a famous stage school. At the school, he learned acting alongside other future stars like Millicent Martin and Anthony Newley.

Acting Career

One of Johnny Briggs' first acting jobs was in a film called Quartet in 1948. He acted alongside George Cole in this movie.

Before becoming a full-time actor, Johnny also worked backstage at the Windmill Theatre. He then spent two years serving in the army with the Royal Tank Regiment in Germany.

After returning to acting in 1955, Johnny performed in plays. He also made his first TV appearance in a show called The Younger Generation. He appeared in many other British TV shows, including the police drama No Hiding Place. He also had roles in some of the well-known Carry On films. Other shows he appeared in were Crossroads, The Saint, and The Persuaders!.

Starring in Coronation Street

Johnny Briggs joined Coronation Street in 1976 as Mike Baldwin. His character became very popular over the years.

In 2005, Johnny announced he would be leaving the show. He said the busy filming schedule was the main reason for his decision. He had appeared in 2,348 episodes of the show.

He filmed his last scenes on March 13, 2006, and they were shown on April 7. In the storyline, his character, Mike Baldwin, had been sick for several months. Mike collapsed and died in the arms of his friend Ken Barlow after having a heart attack.

Later Roles

After leaving Coronation Street, Johnny Briggs said he might retire from acting. However, he still appeared in a few more TV shows.

In 2007, he was in Agatha Christie's Marple and Holby City. He also appeared in the ITV show Echo Beach in 2008. In 2009, he acted in the long-running daytime show Doctors.

His last theatre performance was in 2007. He played Cinderella's father in a pantomime in Manchester. In 2012, he took part in a special Coronation Street sketch to help raise money for the charity Text Santa.

Personal Life and Awards

Johnny Briggs owned an apartment in Portishead, Somerset, England. He also had a house in Florida, United States. He enjoyed playing golf in his free time.

In 2006, Johnny received a special award at the British Soap Awards. This was a lifetime achievement award for his 30 years of work on Coronation Street.

He was also given an award called the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2007. This award is given by the British monarch to people who have made a great contribution to their country.

Johnny Briggs passed away on February 28, 2021, at the age of 85. He had been ill for some time. The day after his death, an episode of Coronation Street was dedicated to his memory.

Selected Filmography