Colin Bean

Colin Bean

Colin Bean as Private Sponge in Dad's Army
Born (1926-04-15)15 April 1926
Wigan, Lancashire, England
Died 20 June 2009(2009-06-20) (aged 83)
Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Occupation Actor, author
Years active 1963–1988

Colin Bean (15 April 1926[1] – 20 June 2009) was an English actor, best known for his role as Private Sponge in the BBC comedy series Dad's Army.

Early life

Born in Wigan, Lancashire, Bean's father played football for local side Wigan Borough,[2] and he attended Wigan Grammar School. Bean's first appearance had been as a shepherd in a school play, and much against paternal intentions, he took up acting professionally until being called up for national service. He served for four years in the British Army after World War II, spending some time in Japan, and taking the opportunity to continue his acting by joining the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). After graduating from drama school in 1952, he joined the Sheffield Rep as assistant stage manager; regular theatre work followed.

Career

His work in Dad's Army came as a result of working at Watford Rep in 1962 under series co-writer Jimmy Perry as the company's actor-manager, in addition to almost 20 years of playing a pantomime dame. His TV appearances were varied, including Z-Cars, The Gnomes of Dulwich, The Liver Birds, 13 episodes of Michael Bentine Time,[3] Are You Being Served?, and the penultimate episode of Hi-de-Hi! (1988).

Due to his arthritis, in his later years he concentrated on his radio work. He wrote his autobiography, Who Do You Think You Are Kidding!, which was published in 1998 and went into two editions.

Though using a wheelchair in his latter years, he continued to make sporadic appearances on stage in the North West of England discussing his long acting career. He was also a regular at Dad's Army reunions.[4] He continued to live in the Scholes area of his native Wigan until his death. He died aged 83, in Wigan Infirmary, on 20 June 2009.[5]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1963 Z Cars Mr Cowpe Episode: Members Only
1964 The First Churchills Lord Russell 2 episodes
1968-77 Dad's Army Private Sponge Recurring role in 76 episodes[6]
1969 Broaden Your Mind Various roles 3 episodes
1971-72 The Liver Birds First speaker/Police constable 2 episodes
1972 His Lordship Entertains Episode: The Safari Park
1981 Ladykillers Clerk of Court Episode: A Smile is Sometimes Worth a Million Dollars
Cribb Police constable Episode: Invitation to a Dynamite Party
1986 Jossy's Giants Episode: The Siege of St James'

References

  1. ↑ "Colin Bean: Actor best known for playing Private Sponge in 'Dad's Army'". The Independent. London. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  2. ↑ http://www.wlct.org/heritage-services/pf32.pdf
  3. ↑ "OtherCharacters". Dadsarmy.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  4. ↑ Pearce, James. "Colin Bean : Obituary - ThisIsAnnouncements". Lastingtribute.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  5. ↑ "Dad's Army actor Colin Bean dies, 82". wigantoday.net. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  6. ↑ The Independent obituary.

External links

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