Tony Osoba facts for kids

Tony Osoba, born on March 15, 1947, is a Scottish actor. He is well-known for playing Jim 'Jock' McLaren in the 1970s British TV show Porridge. He acted alongside Ronnie Barker in this popular sitcom. Tony Osoba also appeared in the first episode of the spin-off show, Going Straight. He made history as the first mixed-race Scottish actor to be on primetime television.

Since then, Tony Osoba has been in Coronation Street two times. In 1982, he played Wesley McGregor. Later, in 1990, he was Peter Ingram, a boss for the character Mike Baldwin. He also starred as Chas Jarvis in the series Dempsey and Makepeace.

Tony Osoba's Early Life

Tony Osoba was born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland. His family background is Nigerian. When he was young, he dreamed of designing cars. However, he soon realized there were not many jobs in that field. So, he decided to become an actor instead. After finishing his Highers (school exams), he studied acting. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Tony Osoba's Acting Career

After finishing college, Tony Osoba joined a theater group in Richmond. He traveled with them and performed in different countries. He was also a member of the famous Royal Shakespeare Company.

Tony Osoba's TV Roles

Tony Osoba has had many roles on television. He played Detective Sergeant Charles 'Chas' Jarvis in Dempsey and Makepeace from 1984 to 1986. He was also Wesley McGregor and Peter Ingram in Coronation Street. He appeared in Space: 1999 in 1976. Other TV shows include The Professionals (1978) and Minder (1980). He was also in Tales of the Unexpected (1982) and Bergerac (1983).

Tony Osoba has appeared in Doctor Who three times. He was in "Destiny of the Daleks" (1979), "Dragonfire" (1987), and "Kill the Moon" (2014).

Tony Osoba's Film Roles

Tony Osoba has also acted in several movies. These include Pure as a Lily (1976). He also appeared in the film version of Porridge (1979). Other films are Game for Vultures (1979) and Who Dares Wins (1982).

Later Acting Work

In 2005, Tony Osoba starred as the Kralahome in a UK tour of The King and I. More recently, he was in the 2007 film Tanner. He played Superintendent Smith in Hollyoaks and Charlie Dokes in The Bill. In 2011, Tony Osoba made a brief appearance in an episode of The Shadow Line.

Tony Osoba has also worked in radio. He was Loderick Sincere in the radio series Space Force from 1984 to 1985.

Tony Osoba's Filmography Highlights

Tony Osoba has been in many TV shows and movies. Here are some of his notable roles:

• 1974–77: Porridge as Jim "Jock" McLaren (9 episodes)
• 1976: Space: 1999 in the episode "Space Warp"
• 1978: Going Straight as Jim "Jock" McLaren (Episode 1, "Going Home")
• 1978: The Professionals as Martin Taylor
• 1979: Porridge (the movie) as McClaren
• 1979, 1987, 2014: Doctor Who in three different stories
• 1980: Minder as Pearce
• 1982, 1990: Coronation Street as Wesley McGregor and Peter Ingram (14 episodes)
• 1983: Bergerac as Eddie McCord
• 1984, 1986: Dempsey & Makepeace as Detective Sergeant Charles ”Chas" Jarvis (30 episodes)
• 1998: The Demon Headmaster as Smith
• 2000: Arabian Nights as Sultan Badr Al-Din
• 2007: Tanner as Archie Richmond